Parking Violation Reports Are At A High at SLU
When comparing the 2018 and 2019 crime logs posted by campus police at Southeastern Louisiana University, there is a shocking similarity of numerous traffic violations.
According to the crime logs, starting from Feb. to Dec. of 2018, there were over 1,188 reports campus police investigated; 406 of the reports were traffic violations.
Up until March 2019, there are already 235 crime reports that have been submitted. Of the 235 reports, 73 were traffic violations.
Some of the most common traffic violations are cars parking in the wrong zones, having incorrect or no parking tag and being parked backwards in parking spots.
Tyler Bonnette, upperclassman commuter at SLU, stated, “I was never told [students] were not allowed to park backwards into spots. It took weeks for me to find out I wasn’t allowed to.”
The high number of traffic violations is alarming for both pedestrians and drivers, which calls for change.
To avoid traffic violations, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with SLU’s parking and driving policies.
Another upperclassman commuter, Zoey Turner, explained, “When I went to pick up my hang tag, [SLU faculty] didn’t tell me where I was able to park, but they did say the rules there are. There were a lot of ‘em.”
SLU has many traffic regulations in place.
The basic rules SLU students are reminded of are that the driving speed on campus is 15 miles per hour, no vehicle may park backwards in parking spots anywhere on campus and students and faculty must acquire a proper parking tag. Visitors also have to pick up a parking tag if staying on campus.
There are even hours set in place for all drivers.
“Between 7 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, University employees, students, vendors and visitors must park in specific areas on campus based on their classification. After 4:00 p.m. on weekdays, weekends, and on days when University classes are not in session, designated parking is cancelled and individuals may park in any upperclassman parking area with a valid permit.”
Due to SLU’s class sizes growing rapidly, there has been limited parking. The school has reached out to its students to communicate the best times to arrive on campus.
Another commute student, Destiney Robertson, said, “I usually have to get to school over 30 minutes before my classes just to find a spot to park. I have 8 A.M. classes every day!”
SLU has specific parking zones designated to students. The zones are divided to students based on students’ location living on campus and students that commute.
Zone 4 is the parking lot called Texas Street Lot. It is designated for students living in Hammond Hall and Livingston Hall only.
Zone 5 parking is for students living in Pride Hall, Louisiana Hall, Taylor Hall and Livingston Hall. Those students may park in Pride Hall Lot or N Cefalu Lot.
Zone 6 is designated to Washington Hall and St Tammany Hall in the Washington/St Tammany Lot. Students may also park in N Cefalu Lot.
Zone 7 is located in Ascension Lot, which is for students living in Ascension Hall and Twelve Oaks Hall.
Zone 8 is for all students living in Greek Village and Southeastern Oaks Apartments; those students are only allowed within the gates of the two locations.
Zone 9 is for students living in Cardinal Newman Hall. They may park in Cardinal Newman Lot or Pine Street Lot.
Visitor and faculty parking is scattered throughout the campus. Visitors can obtain a parking permit at a cost of $2 per day at the University Police Department or Parking Operations in Pride Hall.
All of the rules are meant to promote and ensure student and visitor safety.
Anyone can acquire more information in case of any confusion at the University Police Department in Pride Hall at 1301 SGA Drive, Hammond, LA 70402.
