Bobcats and their guests won’t have to worry about losing their cars during the Halloween block party — at least to Ohio University’s Transportation and Parking Services.
Bobcats and their guests won’t have to worry about losing their cars during the Halloween block party — at least to Ohio University’s Transportation and Parking Services.
Parking services has decided to issue tickets instead of towing cars during the annual block party. The fine will jump from $30 to $150.
In the past, vehicles without university parking passes that were parked in university lots during the Halloween block-party weekend would receive a $30 parking ticket and a $120 towing fee. Vehicle owners would then have the added expense of getting their car out of the tow lot.
Katie Quaranta, a spokeswoman for OU, said the change was made because of safety concerns. Quaranta said the university doesn’t want visitors wandering around trying to find their car. This way, visitors will still pay the same amount in fines, but will know where their car is located.
This is the first year the university has decided to opt out of towing cars. The results will be reviewed by the Transportation and Parking Committee after Halloween.
The university does not allow vehicles without a university parking permit to park in campus lots during the weekend of the block party.
This year, the block party is planned for Saturday, Oct. 25.
Just because the university lots aren’t open to visitors, it doesn’t mean there isn’t parking available for guests.
“There are options. There’s parking available to people who are visiting on Halloween,” said Ron Lucas, deputy service safety director for the City of Athens. “It’s just a matter of getting it.”
Lucas said the Athens County Fairgrounds offers long-term parking that weekend, and that the city garage on the corner of East Washington and South College streets is another option.
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