Offenders face financial and legal consequences

The City of Greenville has announced plans to take stronger steps to reduce parking gate damage in City-owned garages. Starting immediately, the City will pursue criminal charges against motorists who intentionally break or lift gates to avoid paying to leave downtown parking garages.

Parking staff report gate breaking to be a persistent problem. “We have over 100 so far this year, an average of two to three per week,” Parking Manager Pam Corbin said. Past solutions like signage, clearer markings and public reminders haven’t worked.

All garages are equipped with license plate readers and surveillance cameras, allowing staff to identify the owners of the vehicles. Every week, motorists are caught on camera deliberating driving through parking gates.

“This isn’t about punishment,” said Parking Services Administrator Bill Foster. “We really want to just stop the behavior. We really want people, if they’re having a problem at the gate, to push the button that says ‘call for assistance.’ You will get a live person who is able to see what’s going on at the gate, and they will help you one way or another.”

Criminal charges can carry a fine plus restitution for repair costs. Damage exceeding $2,000 can be charged as a felony. Currently, the City is reimbursed for gate break repairs, as claims are filed against the vehicle owner’s insurance.  In addition to thousands of dollars in damage, the City loses revenue from other motorists until the gate can be blocked for repair. Once blocked, the reduced lane creates backups at garage exits, delaying commuters until the repair is complete.