New Cd’A parking law goes into effect Saturday

Posted: 5/22/2015 2:40:57 PM

Prompted by concerns with delinquent public behavior at the McEuen Park parking facility, the Coeur d’Alene City Council recently passed an ordinance restricting certain activity at the sub-level parking lot.

The new law, which applies to all city parking facilities, goes into effect on Saturday. Bottom line, city officials say, is that parking facilities are meant for parking—not playing.

“It’s really loitering and activities not related to parking that are being prohibited,” said Wes Somerton, the city’s chief criminal prosecutor who drafted the new ordinance. Among other things, the ordinance prohibits loitering, skateboarding, roller blading, and racing. The ordinance, Somerton added, gives officers more authority to restrict certain unlawful behaviors.

Coeur d’Alene Police Capt. Steve Childers said there will be an increased police presence at the downtown parking structure; however, he said the higher visibility also is in conjunction with the holiday weekend and approaching summer season.

Childers does not expect a lot of tickets to be issued at first as the new parking ordinance takes effect. “It will be very much educational to begin with,” the captain said. “But if folks do not comply, it could involve more heavy law enforcement.”

A copy of the new parking ordinance will be posted soon to the city’s website and shared on the city’s social media sites.