November 23, 1998

To:Corporate Services Committee

From:Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Subject:Report on the Number of Tickets Issued to Persons with Disabled Parking Permits

Purpose:

To respond to a request from the Corporate Services Committee related to the number of tickets issued to persons with disabled parking permits, including those that are withdrawn.

Recommendation:

It is recommended that

(1)this report be received for information;

(2)the Chief of Police, Toronto Police Services be requested to report to the Corporate Services Committee, through the Toronto Police Services Board, on the current method of evaluation by Parking Control Officers; and

(3)the Chief of Police, Toronto Police Services be requested to report through the Toronto Police Services Board on current enforcement policies and suggested changes related to disabled parking permits.

Council Background/Reference:

In considering a communication from Councillor Howard Moscoe, respecting valid disabled parking permit holders who have been receiving parking tickets even though their disabled permit is clearly displayed on their vehicles, the Corporate Services Committee, at its meeting on November 9, 1998 requested the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer to submit a report to the Committee:

(1)on the number of tickets issued to persons with disabled parking permits, including those that are withdrawn;

(2)on the current method of evaluation by Parking Control Officers; and

(3)on current enforcement policies and suggested changes.

Discussion:

The responsibilities for issuing parking tickets in the City of Toronto are are the responsibility of the Parking Enforcement Unit of the Toronto Police Service, while the processing of parking tickets is the responsibility the Parking Tag Operations Unit of the Finance Department.

The Parking Tag Management System does not track the number of tickets issued to persons with valid disabled parking permits. The system does, however, capture information on the number of tickets withdrawn where the holder of the disability permit requests withdrawal due to the fact that a valid permit was displayed at the time of the alleged offence. Statistics gathered between March 1 and November 28, 1998, indicate that approximately 6,800 parking tags were withdrawn for this reason. This translates into more than 9,000 withdrawals on an annual basis.

Conclusion:

The evaluation of Parking Control Officers and the development of enforcement policies are the responsibility of the Parking Enforcement Unit of the Toronto Police Service.

It is recommended that the Chief, Toronto Police Service be requested to report to the Corporate Services Committee, through the Toronto Police Services Board, on the current method of evaluation by Parking Control Officers as well as on current enforcement policies and suggested changes related to disabled parking permits.

Contact Name and Telehphone Number:

Bryan Kerr

Manager, Provincial and Parking Offences

(416) 392-5880

W. A. Liczyk

Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer