Traffic Violations on the Square

Gus Philpott
Woodstock Advocate
October 21, 2007

What kind of traffic violations are you noticing on the Square?

It seems like I’m not the only one who is observing flagrant disregard of traffic laws on the Woodstock Square. When you spot one, post the details here. Include date, time, location, violation, vehicle description including make, model and color, and, most importantly the license plate. We’ll assume it’s Illinois, unless you indicate otherwise.

If you call the PD and the officer arrives while the violator is still there, add what action the officer took. If he sees a car in a handicap zone without a handicap sticker, did he write a ticket? That one is a $250 fine! Parked in a crosswalk? Parked on a corner of the Square where signs say No Parking? Parked in the no-parking striped zones in front of Read Between the Lynes Bookstore and Starbuck’s? In front of the movie theater? Blocking a sidewalk?

I won’t repeat all the details here about the blue Honda parked alongside the Opera House, facing the wrong way on Dean Street. You can read those details at “Well, was she?” a few days ago.

Granted, parking is tight on the Square, but Mayor Sager said last week that there are 1,400 parking spaces within a block of the Square. Of course, that doesn’t mean within “a block” of where you want to go on the Square.

And don’t just spot the violator. Call the PD and sic the beat officer on the violator. And, if the violator takes off before the officer arrives, either call back and cancel the call or meet the officer and explain that the driver just left. Thank him/her for responding and ask him/her to keep an eye on the parking problems.

Maybe we need a few signs around that read, “Violators will be ticketed. No warnings.”

OK, it’s your turn. Let’s hear about the parking and traffic violations on the Square.