Police To Ticket Cars At The Fair

Thursday, September 27th 2007, 5:31 pm

By: News On 6

The Tulsa State Fair kicks off Thursday. Last year, the fair attracted more than one million visitors during its eleven day run. Of course, parking always seems to be a big issue during the fair. During the fair, neighborhoods around the fairgrounds are often packed with cars. It can be frustrating for residents, and police say it is a potentially dangerous problem. News On 6 anchor Craig Day reports this year, police say theyâ€™ll crackdown on illegal parking.

"Saturday morning, there will be a barricade here and it will be solid," Tulsa resident Jack Lunsford said.

Jack Lunsford has lived a block away from the fairgrounds since the 70s. Along with the food and rides of the fair, parking issues are also an annual tradition.

"From 17th all the way to 21st it will be bumper to bumper on the west side of the street," said Lunsford.

Lunsford says for the most part, the extra cars are no big deal, but they sometimes can cause inconveniences.

"They're more concerned about getting to the fair than you getting out of your driveway,â€ Lunsford said.

Skipper Bain is the Tulsa Police Special Events Coordinator. Bain says the city will enforce parking rules, including cars blocking streets and alleys, illegal parking on yards and sidewalks or in no parking zones.

"We've just had so many complaints that we're just trying to keep that traffic flow unobstructive," Skipper Bain with the Tulsa Police Department said.

The last couple of years, Tulsa police haven't been able to enforce the parking regulations like they had hoped to because of budget problems. This year, volunteer reserve officers are stepping in to help. Those 40 reserve officers, along with code enforcement officers, will patrol three zones around the fairgrounds.

"Three cruisers per zone around the area that will take care of the off street parking," said Bain.

"It will start right at the corner and it will just boom, boom, boom,â€ Tulsan Jack Lunsford said.

Jack Lunsford says he's thankful for the stepped up effort by police and hopes the fair is a fun time for everyone, fairgoers and homeowners alike.

Problems with illegal parking can be reported to the Mayor's Action Center at 596-2100. Parking tickets can cost anywhere from $15 to $50, and property owners who charge people to park on their yards can be fined $500.

There are six remote sites with free Park-N-Ride shuttle service provided by the Metropolitan Transit Service. They are located at:

Tulsa Education Center, 31st & New Haven

Nathan Hale High School, 6960 E. 21st St.

Broken Arrow Education Service Center, 601 South Main Street

TCC Northeast Campus, 3727 E. Apache

Promenade Mall, 41st & Yale

Creek Nation Casino, 81st & Riverside

Shuttle riders will also receive coupon books for discounts at the fair.

To get more information about the Tulsa State Fair, click here.

Watch the video: Be Careful Where You Park At The Fair