SHREVEPORT, LA (KSLA) -
Tuesday night the Shreveport City Council introduced a new ordinance that some residents are not happy about.
In Shreveport, people are not supposed to park on their front yard, but driving through the Highland neighborhood, several were parked in the grass. In a 6 week period, Shreveport Police say they wrote more than 250 tickets in the Highland area alone.
After multiple complaints, the Shreveport City Council introduced a new ordinance that would increase the fine for a first offense from $15 to $100. A second ticket would cost you $300, and a third would be $525.
"This is not a revenue thing for us. It's not something that we get involved in on a regular basis. We don't go out and look for people parking in their front yard. We respond to calls from neighbors that call and complain," said Duane Huddleston with the Shreveport Police Department.
Some homeowners say they should be able to park where ever they want on their own property."
"If you're going to up the tickets, you better give me somewhere else to park," exclaimed Keyuna Jones.
Jones has already gotten one ticket from the city, but still won't park her car on the street because it's too narrow.
"Not enough room. You've got traffic, and then somebody hits my car. Then what am I supposed to do?" said Jones.
Roy Williams recently got a notice on a truck in his yard that the city would tow it if he doesn't move it.
"That's even more unfair. Why should you have to pay a fine for your own vehicle in your own yard?" said Williams.
The Police Department says rules are rules, and they plan to enforce whatever the city council decides.
The council introduced the ordinance Tuesday. They're expected to vote on it at their meeting on February 28th.
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