Lots of LBCC income

Published in Long Beach City College's Viking newspaper in 2006.

Money gained from parking citations adds up to big bucks.

LBCC students are contributing about $10,000 a year and roughly $820 a month into a parking program and maintenance fund by parking illegally, receiving a citation, then paying it off.
Speech communications major Arlene Magana received a ticket while parked at a meter during the Summer.
"It seems like they stand near it until it turns zero," Magana said. "There was no parking anywhere else and when I returned to my car soon after the time expired, I found a ticket for $36."
Magana said she waited a while then paid the ticket off.
"They never sent me a notice," Magana said. "Meters should be cheaper."
"Fall is the most congested time for parking," LBCC support services manager Brendan Hayes said in an email. "Approximately 95 percent of issued citations are collected and 5 percent are delinquent or the city is unable to collect because the vehicle was sold."
Hayes said once a citation is issued, it's entered into the Long Beach system. Then a letter is sent to the registered owner requesting payment. After being 30 days late, a delinquent notice is issued and after being delinquent for 90 days, the citation is then submitted to the Department of Motor Vehicles and the fine is attached to registration fees.
On the officer's end, "the citation is turned in and reviewed for completeness then submitted to City Hall and entered into a data base," Hayes said. "Payment is either received or contested and if received the case is closed. But if contested, it is sent to a review officer. If the review upholds the citation, the payment is required and if not, it is dismissed."
Hayes said, the $25 price of parking permits at LBCC is established by the executive committee of the college and related to security and maintenance of the parking lots.
According to the Spring 2006 schedule of classes, a citation costs $37 and students wishing to contest a citation must call 570-6822.