by Derek Neary
Northern News Services

NNSL (Apr 24/98) - There have been fewer parking tickets on the windshields of Yellowknife vehicles so far this year.

There were 2,029 tickets issued between January 1 and March 31. That number is down from 2,917 from a year ago.

"What that shows me is there is a lot more compliance," municipal enforcement manager Paul Gamble said.

As well, revenues from plugging the meters over that period has increased $5,000 from last year to approximately $50,000. All revenues go to the municipality.

Meter violations are $10, if paid within 10 days of being issued. After that, the penalty increases to $30, making it compelling to pay up early.

"It works quite well, actually," Gamble said.

Parking violators who forget about their fines will get a reminder from municipal enforcement's interactive voice response (IVR) system. The computerized program calls people who have been issued parking tickets before the fine jumps by 200 per cent. The next reminder of payment due would come by means of a summons for traffic court.

Gamble said his goal is 100 per cent compliance with parking meters -- meaning there wouldn't be a single ticket issued -- but he admits that's an ideal.

"I've had my share (of tickets) and paid them," Gamble said, adding that in his current position, he's "very conscious" of plugging the metres.

He said he always carries coins in his ashtray so he isn't caught off guard. A quick trip into a store or the bank only costs a nickel or a dime, he noted.