For many Sinclair students, the new semester brings new experiences. One of these experiences is utilizing parking resources at Sinclair. The resources can be very helpful to students, but if they’re not used properly, students can earn violations from the Sinclair Police Department.
According to Charles Gift, Chief of Sinclair Police Department, 813,013 students parked in the controlled student lots in 2015.(students parked)
Tip 1: Do not park in ADA/handicapped parking spaces if you are not authorized. Authorized students will have a blue handicapped placard.
“The most serious violations we see are unauthorized people parking in [handicapped] parking spaces,” said Chief Gift. The Americans with Disabilities Act requires Sinclair to have many accessible spots for these students. Although there are many of these spots, there are many Sinclair students who need them.
Tip 2: If you have a large vehicle, find a spot that accommodates the vehicle’s size.
A ‘subcompact car’ is a car that is about the size of a Chevrolet Aveo or a Toyota Yaris. Many parking spots on the third level of the main student garage are designated for subcompact cars only. When students park larger vehicles in these spots, it creates tighter spaces, causing tripping hazards and making it easy to slam doors into the sides of other vehicles.
Paul Murphy, Director of Business Services at Sinclair said that instead, “First floor of the garage is best for large [vehicles], or students can use the student surface Lots K by Building 13, Lot M by Building 20 or Lot I by Building 19.”
Tip 3: Do not speed through the parking garage. Watch for others walking or in cars.
“Students need to think of pedestrians’ access,” said Murphy. “For many students, this is the first parking garage they have ever parked in, so it is a real world learning experience for some on proper etiquette… when multiple lanes [merge] on the ramp entrance[s], allow every other car access versus one lane blocking out the other.”
Violating any of these tips can earn students violations with the Sinclair Police Department. These violations could lead to the vehicle being towed at the owner’s expense. There are never too few parking spaces to accommodate for the number of students at Sinclair.
Murphy added, “Sinclair has continued to leverage its downtown parking to provide students the best possible parking availability.”
Business Services appreciates any feedback and can be contacted at parking@sinclair.edu. If students notice any violations, they are encouraged to report them to the Sinclair Police Department. The Department can be reached at (937)-512-2700.
Meggan Lanahan
Reporter