Parking officers in Hamilton are legally empowered to issue tickets backed by a court summons if unpaid, city officials today reminded the community.

The statement came from the City of Hamilton after people had challenged the legality of the enforcement officers issuing tickets.

Five officers were hired in 2021 to enforce parking rules after longstanding complaints over a lack of spaces because regulations were being flouted.

The officers ensure parking bays are turned over on time and in the manner intended – such as loading zones, disabled parking, taxi parking, resident, and one-hour parking.

The city said the staff had gone through Bermuda Police Service training as well as coaching in conflict resolution, and the legal writing of parking tickets.

The Municipalities Amendment Act 2022 was adopted to “provide for the appointment of parking enforcement officers by the Governor to the Corporation of Hamilton and the Corporation of St George to enforce the law with respect to offences in connection with the parking of vehicles in the City of Hamilton and the Town of St George”, the statement said.

The Amendment further states that “parking enforcement officers shall have the same powers of the traffic wardens under Section 29 (4)(a) of the Road Traffic Act 1947.”

Those receiving parking tickets were reminded to pay their fines on time, to avoid incurring extra fees in the event of a summons or court date.