Dear Editor:
As a physically disabled longtime Jersey City resident, the strenuous parking situation in this city is particularly challenging for me. My difficulty with walking even the shortest distance requires the use of a cane. When visiting the main streets of Jersey City, the lack of available handicap spaces results in my having to park at a meter closets to my destination. As confirmed by Parking Authority personnel in the past, vehicles displaying a handicap tag or placard from the rearview mirror (as does my vehicle) do not need to feed the meters more than one time. This policy was intended to accommodate the physically disabled such as me by reducing the stress of having to walk to monitor the meter.
Unfortunately, I have fallen victim on more than one occasion to very hostile and aggressive Parking Authority meter maids within the past year. Although my handicap placard was displayed clearly on my rearview mirror, I was issued a ticket for parking at an expired meter. On one occasion, I observed a meter maid note the expired meter at the head of the car, ignore the placard and proceeded to the car’s rear to record the plate number. When I kindly pointed out the handicap placard to this Parking Authority representative, she acted very agitated toward me and rudely commented that I should fight the ticket in court! To add insult to injury, this same meter maid suggested that in the future I make a copy of the placard and place it on the back windshield for her convenience. I attempted to contact a Parking Authority supervisor in hopes of having this ticketing error corrected and, after explaining my position to several head officials in this department, I was told again to fight the ticket in court. I was so frustrated with what I could only describe as “poor customer service” from this department that I was left with no choice but to pay the ticket. Although I still feel the ticket was issued in poor taste, I could not afford to take the day off from work to argue the ticket in court.
Is this what I pay my taxes for? I thought civil service positions such as the Parking Authority were supposed to improve my quality of life, not hinder it. I can understand that a meter maid’s job can be frustrating and stressful at times due to its nature; however, this does not excuse laziness, being uncompassionate and common courtesy. The Parking Authority’s overall customer service leaves something to be desired.
I am requesting that the Parking Authority review their customer service practices principally upon meter maid operators which also serve as street representatives of this city department and its officials. Currently, their services are not people oriented and do not meet the needs of the handicapped.
I await the Parking Authority’s solution and consideration to this letter.
A Jersey City resident