Santa Monica Meter Maid
Grosses $6 Million in Commissions
A meter maid rakes in the top dough
by working on commission in a controversial new program designed
by the city of Santa Monica to increase revenue.
By George Wolfe
SANTA MONICA — Santa Monica parking enforcement personnel
in the city of Santa Monica are renown for their tenacious ticketing.
But after September 11, 2001, when the city saw a budget shortfall
looming due to a nationwide drop in tourism, it enacted an even
more aggressive ticketing idea to bring in the bucks: working on
commission.
It was disclosed that for the fiscal year 2002,
the leading ticketer is a "meter maid" known as Juanita
Garcia, 33, a mother of five, who lives in East Santa Monica.
"We call her 'The Pelican'
for being able to spot an expired meter from a quarter mile away.
She's got a sixth sense or something."
— Emma Mitchell, Parking Enforcement
A source at Santa Monica city hall says that
the program has been a resounding success and that Garcia's numbers
represent $6 million of revenue for the city. Commission rates were
set at 25%, so Garcia will receive $1.5 million on top of her regular
salary.
Garcia did not return phone calls, but fellow
parking enforcement worker, Emma Mitchell, described Garcia as,
"actually, a quiet person... but she really means business.
She's super-speedy. I tried to keep up with her one day, but it's
impossible.
"We call her 'The Pelican' for being able
to spot an expired meter from a quarter mile away. She's got a sixth
sense or something about where and when those meters are flagging
red. She'll swoop right down on those poor folks!
"Once, I saw a man standing by his meter,
quarter in hand, just waiting for that meter to click over. He couldn't
have looked away for more than ten seconds when she heard the click
from across the street, moved in, ticketed him and took off before
he could drop the coin in!"
Garcia outpaced her nearest co-worker by nearly
$600,000 in gross earnings.
City Hall would not comment on whether or not
the program would continue even if the city's revenues rise to sufficient
levels, or whether the program is fair given that the average Santa
Monica city job earns just 3% of Garcia's annual commission.
What will become of Garcia now that she's had
her windfall? Rumor has it she hopes to pass the $2 million mark
in 2003.
Drivers beware.
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