With Over $20k in Losses Due to Theft, Hagerstown Parking Meters to Go Coinless

HAGERSTOWN, MD News (11/5/2024) – The City of Hagerstown has announced plans to phase out coin payments at parking meters following a recent surge in meter break-ins and thefts. The decision comes after repeated incidents of vandalism and theft, resulting in over $20,000 in losses from damaged equipment and stolen coins within the past two months. These criminal actions coincide with the increase in parking fees to help pay for the new Hub City Garage and maintain parking infrastructure.

UPDATE 11/7/2024: The City of Hagerstown has announced that meters will be going coinless starting Friday, November 8, and all meters will be paid for using the PayByPhone mobile app. Meters will be taped or zip-tied shut. Cash will only be accepted when parking at city parking decks or garages.

Assessing the damage

Despite efforts by the Hagerstown Police Department, who have apprehended suspects, the judicial process has reportedly allowed offenders back onto the streets, leading to recurring damage and additional financial losses for the city.

Hagerstown’s parking meters, particularly those along West Washington Street and around Hager Center, have been hit multiple times, with city officials indicating that every meter has been targeted at least once. In some cases, vandals have broken locks with tools like screwdrivers and hammers, while in others, they have used objects such as bricks to smash meters open. As a result, the city’s parking division has exhausted its supply of replacement locks and will begin sealing the coin slots of meters and going coinless to deter further thefts. In some cases, the city is now duct taping meters shut instead of replacing locks, or simply allowing the meters to hang open unlocked.

The shift to a coinless system, although unplanned, is expected to mitigate ongoing losses and protect city resources. Stickers will be placed on meters, notifying residents and visitors of the change, and coin slots will be sealed, requiring residents to use a mobile app to pay to park. However, other payment methods, including card-based or cash payments when parking at parking decks, will still be available for drivers who prefer alternatives to using mobile apps.

Why pay to park anyways?

While this shift is primarily a response to ongoing vandalism, the city emphasizes that paid parking itself is not just about revenue. According to Public Works Director Eric Deike, the primary purpose of metered parking is to manage the limited number of parking spaces available downtown. Meters ensure a regular turnover of spaces, essential for accommodating the high volume of workers, residents, and visitors throughout the day. Without this system, Deike explained, spaces could quickly be occupied by long-term parkers, limiting availability for short-term visitors who may be discouraged from visiting local businesses if parking is unavailable.

If Hagerstown were to make all parking free, the financial burden would likely shift to taxpayers, as parking fees currently contribute significantly to the costs of maintaining and managing the city’s parking infrastructure. According to city estimates, eliminating parking fees would require an additional $1.3 to $1.5 million annually to cover debt service, utilities, maintenance, and staffing for security and upkeep of parking facilities, including the newly built Hub City Garage. This increase would be necessary to offset lost revenue, which currently supports these operational costs, thus impacting the city’s overall budget and potentially leading to higher local taxes to fill the gap.

“Studies have proven that most people want to park within sight of their objective location. If parking is not convenient, guests will simply move on or not return to the business,” stated Deike. “A previous attempt to provide free parking on the streets for the holiday season resulted in the workers using the parking spaces. The business owners removed the free parking signs placed by the City.”

New garage adds to expenses

The parking division, which operates as an enterprise fund, faces challenges in managing the unexpected strain on resources and budget. While past losses due to vandalism were considerably lower, this recent spike in incidents has prompted officials to assess the situation as potentially organized, with multiple adult suspects associated with the coordinated thefts.

The city’s parking system encompasses street meters, parking lots, and parking garages, including the recently constructed Hub City Garage, a project with a construction cost of approximately $13 million. The system previously generated around $1 million in annual revenue, but the new garage, with a debt service of $750,000 per year, has placed additional financial strain on the city. If the city were to eliminate parking fees entirely, additional funds would be required from taxpayers to cover the costs associated with debt, maintenance, and security for parking facilities.

The plan forward

Angela Zeger, Parking System Supervisor, noted that the city continues to work with the police department and will seek solutions to balance the need for convenient parking options with enhanced security measures. The city’s parking meters, costing upwards of $500 each, have been repaired and replaced multiple times over recent weeks, creating a significant impact on both city finances and infrastructure.

“We have lots of good people calling to let us know the meters are open,” stated Zeger. “There are a lot of good, honest people here.”

Officials are evaluating alternative payment options not requiring mobile app payments, to maintain convenience for downtown visitors. In the interim, signs will be placed on meters as the transition to a coinless system proceeds, aiming to protect city resources while continuing to support efficient downtown parking management. For more information or to answer any questions regarding this transition, residents can contact the City’s Parking System Supervisor at 301-739-8577 ext. 479.

Story by Ken Buckler, President of Radio Free Hub City