Derek Neary
Northern News Services

NNSL (May 08/98) - For some it's a game of cat and mouse.

There are those who try to avoid parking tickets at all cost, except through the legitimate means of plugging the meter with a coin or two.

It's Gerald Lainey's job to ensure that parking bylaws are observed. Lainey, a commissionaire also working for the city's municipal enforcement department, logs about 16 kilometres each day walking around downtown Yellowknife. He keeps an eye out for parking infractions and breaches of bylaws such as vehicles stopped in handicapped zones, no-stopping zones, or on crosswalks.

Lainey, a veteran of the Armed Forces who hails from Newfoundland, estimates that he is confronted about 10 times each day by people incensed over their $10 meter violations or various other tickets.

He said things have improved since he started the job close to two years ago when he was subjected to ranting on a much larger scale. One person even tried to stuff the ticket down his coat.

"I've been called everything in the bookä Getting irate with me doesn't help," Lainey said. "I can listen better if people come out and discuss it, not yell."

Actually, more people wave, say "hello" and stop to chat than those who are belligerent. "The people of Yellowknife are fair to me and I hope I'm fair to them," said Lainey.

One of the people Lainey bumped into Tuesday was his former boss, Gil Cox, who began the vigilant enforcement of meters.

"It's turned into a very efÞcient system," Cox said, noting that meter rates haven't increased in at least eight years. "People who know what to expect are willing to comply."

For instance, there were 900 fewer parking tickets issued between January and March this year than last year.

"Visibility is the key," said Lainey. "Once they see me, they know to put money in the meter."

There are exceptions. For instance, on Tuesday one man raced out of Shopper's Drug Mart, got into his pickup truck and, with a nod and a big grin on his face, sped away from the expired meter as Lainey was approaching.

"He's always one step ahead of me," Lainey said, recognizing the man. "It's like a game. I get a lot of people saying, 'You never caught me this time. I know your route.'"

Although he averages a ticket or two on every second street, Lainey said he does give people numerous breaks -- especially if they're sitting in their vehicles or if they happen to run into him while he's writing out the ticket.

"That's when the heavy negotiations begin," he laughed. "I'm approachableä Usually, I'll say, 'Throw a quarter in the meter and we'll call it even.'"

Repeat offenders, however, are rarely offered reprieves -- and once a ticket has been issued, he's not going to take it back. His superiors at municipal enforcement may deal with it or it can be contested in trafÞc court.

Sometimes, a passerby can be most helpful. The other day, a man parked his car outside a bank and approached Lainey, claiming to have no change, but needing to cash his cheque. A woman walking by stopped and offered him a quarter.

The man said, "My day has been made," said Lainey.