What on earth in Downtown MP is so compelling that you would actually run out of a 2- or 3- hour parking space? There are some boring furniture stores, some boring yet expensive restaurants, a rather useful hardware store, a drug store, Trader Joe's...

Why does this paper allow anonymous op eds with zero facts and misguided opinion. So in this person's opinion, one should not be penalized for going over the posted parking limit. Why? How about following the rules and being responsible for your own actions.

Staying over the time limit can result in a ticket. It's not that hard. Grow up

MPer:

I think the difference is that in Menlo Park a ticket is highly likely if you overstay the permitted time. I frequently park in Redwood City, three times a week, in fact, and there are times when I've run a little past my metered time. I've yet to get a ticket. I don't know if it is because RC is more lax about when they write a ticket for overtime parking or if it is becasue they don't have enough staff to be as aggressive as MP. But, I do know from personal experience that parking enforcement in MP will hang a ticket on your car if you're even 5 minutes overtime. It's like they stand there waiting for your time to expire. Sorry that's chicken***t. And it's overly aggressive. Not to mention they'll write you a ticket for no front plate, or your car is a little out of alignment in a parking space or it's sticking out too far (usually because some jack ass pulled too far into the space opposite. Of course, Parking Enforcement doesn't hang a ticket on those idiots).

All of this may be perception, but perception is important. This town has a reputation for ridiculously harsh parking enforcement. What do you think that does for attracting business to downtown?

A great way to avoid getting a ticket is to look at the signs and follow the law. Anyone who EXPECTS an unwritten grace period is living a more charmed and privileged life than most. Take some responsibility for your actions, my goodness!

I think the point of the OP is that the Menlo Park parking enforcement staff almost seems to be "lying in wait" as meters cash out.

It's one thing to promote turnover of cars to keep parking spaces available for shoppers and patrons. It's another to simply try to ring the parking ticket cash register for the city. That's not good for those stores in Menlo Park.

(see: red light cameras for another clear example)

MP's parking enforcement should be moved from the police department to the business development department.

They would then have different priorities.

Not even anything worth doing in a Menlo—so why bother. The city is clearly desperate for money, as the debt level has increased. Disapppointing that they try to fill the budget deficit in such a petty way.

Well someone has to pay for the Naked Cop fiasco (still on the MPPD staff!)
Web Link

Indeed MP parking enforcement is overzealous for sure, worse than NYC, Boston or Los Angeles. (My wife has received 5+, me 0 I wont lose that game, came close once with some advanced dental surgery, was too groggy to drive, son drove me home).

Wait until we see the obscene pay deal offered to the new MP Police Chief. PA offer is $260,000 salary + $54,000 'housing allowance'. I can hear the whining now, we cannot attract candidates ... blah blah blah. Let's deal with some of the wanton waste we see everyday with MPPD (has anyone counted the MPPD vehicles on hand, enough for a small army .. !)

So pay up and shut up. Shop Menlo Park.. We love your money !

Did I hear correctly, as I've been told that the city has written more than a $1,000,000 worth of parking tickets downtown during the last two years. If so, that is a $1,000,000 that could have instead gone into the pockets of the merchants. Instead, upset drivers are shopping elsewhere, such as Stanford Shopping Center and Town and Country Village where parking is FREE. The city seems to be catering to large businesses, such as Facebook and to large developers, such as Greenheart, leaving small business and residents in the rear view mirrow. Some say that is the price to pay for progress. For others, its a sad set back and an indication of where values have dramatically changed in recent years.

i've never had an issue in MP, really never get parking ticket at all. why because i read the signs and follow the rules. it is a strange notion to break the rules and not expect a ticket. Very entitled.

i really doubt that people are avoiding mp due to the possibility of getting a ticket. there is plenty of parking, so it is available, just read the signs. People don't come to mp because it is boring, has a terrible retail mix and mediocre expensive restaurants.

if x-shopper want to make a change, rather than posting a opinion based on assumption and guesses, why not write the city council and PD. show up at a city council meeting.

You are complaining because somehow you feel that the rules do not apply to you and that is the fault of the parking officers?? ponderous