ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Pastor Alejandro Escamilla couldn’t believe it.
As a line of cars moved along the street to enter a parking lot during a food bank distribution Saturday, an Allentown Parking Authority enforcement officer issued tickets, he said.
- It happened outside Fuente de Vida Church, 729 St. John St.
- Video shows an enforcement officer following vehicles in line for food
- Allentown plans a study of the parking authority's records and practices
Escamillo posted video outside Fuente de Vida Church at 729 St. John St., near Hall Street, in the city’s Fairview neighborhood.
People were outraged.
“They say the reason they’re giving tickets is because if the fire department or any type of emergency happens, they wouldn’t be able to get by,” said Allentown resident Noel Solano, who lives near the church. “What a load of hunk of you know …
“Parking authority, I don’t understand how you guys are going to stoop so low to give people tickets who are coming to get food.”
It happened as the parking authority is under scrutiny by residents and the city administration for what they see as aggressive and overzealous enforcement.
Mayor Matt Tuerk got approval from city council to spend $10,000 on a study and analysis of the authority. Seething residents have blasted the authority at public meetings. And the authority’s own chairman has pledged to update policies and work toward reviewing and revising ordinances.
Tuerk on Saturday said he was disappointed by the authority’s ticketing of people in line for food, especially as he’s asked for discretion amid an outcry from residents and business owners who have racked up thousands in fines.
Parking authority Chairman Ted Zeller told LehighValleyNews.com on Sunday that all of the tickets issued were reduced to warnings. Zeller said an enforcement officer responded after a neighbor complained the street was "completely blocked."
According to Zeller, the officer found about 40 cars blocking the street.
"He asked people to clear the street and 30 people moved their cars," Zeller said in an email. "Twelve refused (and) got tickets, which were reduced to warnings when APA found out what was going on."
Videos show the enforcement officer in the street following cars as they proceed down the block toward the food pickup location.
The church pastor said he’s organized previous drive-through food pantries and they went off without a problem.
“Please, this is abuse,” he said in his video on Facebook. The enforcement officer can be seen walking behind cars, looking at license plates and operating a handheld device.
"... It should be clear to the parking authority that we have to amend their ways – that abuse of the people of Allentown is not why you’re here.”Mayor Matt Tuerk
Tuerk spoke with Solano on Saturday in an interview on Facebook after the mayor learned of the controversy and visited the church. While the authority operates independently of the city administration, Tuerk can appoint authority board members. He said he is looking to fill a vacancy on the volunteer board.
“I have some power here, too, not just to appoint members of the parking authority,” he said. “But I have a voice. So I can say this is not OK, and it spurs some action.”
Tuerk has previously said authority ticketing is “out of control” and asked for more transparency and accountability. A consultant’s analysis of the authority will give greater perspective, he has said.
“In the meantime it should be clear to the parking authority that we have to amend their ways – that abuse of the people of Allentown is not why you’re here,” he said Saturday. “The reason that you are here is to serve the needs of the people of Allentown.”
Said Tuerk, in his own Facebook post: "Bottom line: Allentown Parking Authority has to do better. ...If they do not, the board must make changes. If the board does not make changes, I will make changes to the board."
