Parking Enforcement: Things to Know

Illegal parking complaints are one of the most common calls for service the police department receives on a daily basis. Illegal parking is not only a nuisance to motorists, but it also creates a significant safety problem. Illegally parked cars on city streets can contribute to traffic accidents and obstruct access by emergency vehicles, especially fire trucks.

To address an increase in complaints, the police department has increased enforcement of parking violations, especially in residential neighborhoods. Our goal is to see a significant reduction in observed parking violations, while at the same time increasing police visibility in residential neighborhoods during the summer months (prime time for burglaries, thefts from cars, etc.).

Education is also a key element to achieving our goal of reduced violations. Listed below are several excerpts from the state law code sections that govern parking issues. These are the most common violations we encounter:

40-6-200(a) Except as otherwise provided in this Code section, every vehicle stopped or parked upon a two-way roadway shall be stopped or parked with the right-hand wheels parallel to and within 12 inches of the right-hand curb or as close as practicable to the right edge of the right-hand shoulder.

40-6-203(2) Stand or park a vehicle, whether occupied or not, except momentarily to pick up or discharge a passenger or passengers:

      (A) In front of a public or private driveway;

      (B) Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant;

      (C) Within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection;

      (D) Within 30 feet upon the approach to any flashing signal, stop sign, yield sign, or traffic-control signal located at the side of a roadway.

To report a parking violation, please call the Kennesaw Police Department at 770-422-2505 or visit our website www.kennesawpolice.com and click the “Report a Concern” tab. If you would like additional information about this or any other police issue, please feel free to contact me at 770-429-4535 or cgraydon@kennesaw-ga.gov.

Always on the watch,

Lt. Craig Graydon

Lt. Craig Graydon has been a member of the since 1986. He has served in many capacities  within the department, including 911 dispatcher, crime scene investigator, detective and jail administrator. He is currently assigned to the planning and analysis unit where he is responsible for crime analysis and emergency planning.