LUPD addresses parking regulations and ticketing
Mishawn Dubose
Issue date: 3/8/06 Section: News
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That betta not be a ticket!" This is what many Langston University students have been yelling after finding a ticket on their windshield. More than 541 tickets have been given out this school year, according to Langston University Police Department (LUPD) Captain Michael Galbraith.
Galbraith says that most of the tickets have been given out to commuters and on-campus students who are parking illegally.
"It's not anything we set out to do; we don't have a quota or anything like that," said Galbraith.
Galbraith says that the situation would be a lot better if students followed Langston University's guidelines for parking. The guideline brochure is available at the Langston University police station. Only commuters should use the commuter parking lot, which was recently constructed and is located on the side Page Hall. Every on-campus student with a car has reserved parking at their dorm or apartment and they should only use those parking spots.
"This is a pedestrian campus and too many students on campus are driving instead of walking," Galbraith said. "Students are just lazy and need to stop driving everywhere period. In certain weather situations I understand, but not everyday," he added.
Students like Michael Thompson, a junior broadcast journalism major from Memphis, Tenn., disagree with Galbraith's assessment of the situation and feel the police ticket too harshly.
"I had a couple of errands to run early in the morning and didn't want to be late to class," Thompson said. "I parked behind Sanford Hall and after class I had a ticket when I got out; it's bananas! I can't keep paying these tickets; I'm not made out of money!"
Some students also think that police officers just aren't consistent with the tickets they are giving out.
"I parked by Moore Hall in the red zone. I thought it was cool because I'd been parking there before," said Tamika Woodard, a sophomore marketing major from Del City, Okla. "I came outside after, and to my surprise I had a $25 ticket."
Galbraith says that most of the tickets have been given out to commuters and on-campus students who are parking illegally.
"It's not anything we set out to do; we don't have a quota or anything like that," said Galbraith.
Galbraith says that the situation would be a lot better if students followed Langston University's guidelines for parking. The guideline brochure is available at the Langston University police station. Only commuters should use the commuter parking lot, which was recently constructed and is located on the side Page Hall. Every on-campus student with a car has reserved parking at their dorm or apartment and they should only use those parking spots.
"This is a pedestrian campus and too many students on campus are driving instead of walking," Galbraith said. "Students are just lazy and need to stop driving everywhere period. In certain weather situations I understand, but not everyday," he added.
Students like Michael Thompson, a junior broadcast journalism major from Memphis, Tenn., disagree with Galbraith's assessment of the situation and feel the police ticket too harshly.
"I had a couple of errands to run early in the morning and didn't want to be late to class," Thompson said. "I parked behind Sanford Hall and after class I had a ticket when I got out; it's bananas! I can't keep paying these tickets; I'm not made out of money!"
Some students also think that police officers just aren't consistent with the tickets they are giving out.
"I parked by Moore Hall in the red zone. I thought it was cool because I'd been parking there before," said Tamika Woodard, a sophomore marketing major from Del City, Okla. "I came outside after, and to my surprise I had a $25 ticket."