Pembroke Park increases parking fines

Parking violators now will have to pay as much as $250 for certain violations.

Town commissioners voted Wednesday to beef up the fines. ``Basically, they were lower than most other cities,'' said Beverly Raddatz, deputy town clerk.

Under the new ordinance, which took effect immediately, fines that were $10 -- such as parking in restricted or prohibited areas -- climbed to $25. A $15 ticket for parking hazardously, such as too close to a crosswalk, rose to $25.

Parking in a fire zone now costs $50 instead of $25. The biggest fine, for parking in a place reserved for handicapped or disabled drivers, is now $250, up from $100.

Raddatz said the time was right to increase the fines. Broward Sheriff's Office District 1, which provides police service to Pembroke Park, is running out of traffic tickets. New ones -- with the steeper fines -- are being printed.
-- MARSHA HALPER