ABQ Parking Division makes policy changes following Inspector General investigation

ALBUQUERQUE, NM (KRQE) – Albuquerque’s parking department is revising some of its policies after dozens of complaints accused some employees of breaking the rules. Some of those allegations questioned whether employees who issue tickets absolve certain drivers of responsibility.

Albuquerque’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) received more than 30 individual allegations against the Parking Division. Although many of these allegations were unfounded, the Parking Division is making some changes.

When driving around Nob Hill or Downtown, you have to be careful where you park or risk getting a ticket. But who gets tickets and who doesn’t was recently investigated by the OIG, which investigated allegations that not all parking violations are fairly dealt with.

In a recent report, the OIG investigated 30 cases between February and April in which six parking attendants were accused of failing to consistently enforce city regulations. The allegations include failure to issue tickets and violations of uniform and conduct rules.

The OIG confirmed allegations about a new employee wearing an inappropriate uniform and found that at least one employee needed more training on parking rules. The inspector general could not prove allegations that employees may have ignored some parking violations.

“The OIG report states that the alleged violations could not be substantiated. However, we take complaints seriously and our parks team is currently following the OIG’s recommendations,” said Dan Mayfield, city development spokesman.

The OIG now recommends updating uniform and training standards. It also recommended that the city create a better system for handling parking enforcement complaints.

The OIG suggested that the City Council review Albuquerque’s parking ordinances and, if necessary, amend them to clarify what constitutes a violation and what does not.