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Criticism over Ticketing Blitz in Buffalo

By Eileen Buckley

Buffalo, NY – The crack down on illegally parked cars continues in the city of Buffalo. Police say they are just doing their job, but some citizens say they should ease up.

Drivers who not obey parking signs along city streets are taking a risk. Police say they are conducting a "zero tolerance" policy in fighting illegally parked vehicles. They say if citizens park in no parking zones, on sidewalks, or fail to pay at meters, tickets will be issued. But citizens want to know why parking laws are being strictly enforced over the past few weeks after years of lax enforcement.

"Because they haven't done it for all that time, why do it now?" asked Joan Charles, who works downtown. Charles is among a number of citizens who believe the ticket blitz is unfair for those who work, live and play in the city.

"As the people say, they are being taxed to death. They don't need this situation now," Charles said. "You have to better Buffalo then try to bring it down."

Earlier this week, Mayor Byron Brown says he did not give a directive to step up parking violations. Some speculate that police started the ticket blitz to fight the on-going city wage freeze.

Several cars parked along Church Street downtown were tagged with parking tickets early Wednesday afternoon.