Letter: Patchogue ticketing disturbs shoppers
The Patchogue Village Business Improvement District plans to install three security cameras on Main Street beginning June 1. Credit: Erin Geismar
Parking has become a nightmare on Long Island, and especially with meters placed recently in Patchogue, there has been an increase in tickets ["Ticked off," News, May 5].
The village says the money is being used to create more parking facilities, but it is placing more stress on shoppers and businesses. Shoppers don't want to go to Patchogue for fear of being ticketed, which means that businesses aren't getting their customers.
Many drivers say they are being issued tickets when meters are expired by just minutes. One solution might be to give drivers a warning on the first offense. Another solution could be to extend the meter time by five minutes or so before issuing a ticket.
Giving someone a ticket for a meter that's expired by a minute or two is criminal. There has to be another way for communities to make money.
Brittany Steele, Massapequa
