Pay Up Or Get Booted: Great Falls Cracks Down On Parking Tickets

In 2022, The City of Great Falls Suspended It's Parking Violation Program

From a Press Release from The City of Great Falls:

In 2022, the City of Great Falls suspended it's parking violation program. The City of Great Falls decided to do that when Passport, the 3rd party parking vendor app, had a license plate recognition problem.

Popular Grocery Store With Stores In Montana Settles Suit For Overcharging

The press release goes on to say, "Since October 1, 2022, when violation letters ceased, there have been $79,680 in unpaid violations."

I'll let the City speak for its self. More from the Press Release:

"Anyone with five (5) or more unpaid citations that are more than 30 days old will receive a letter that notifies them of their parking violations. Once a letter has been received, the vehicle will be eligible for Vehicle Immobilization or “Booting”. If a vehicle is booted, the owner must pay all outstanding parking tickets as well as the $150.00 immobilization fee. Additionally, if the owner doesn't remove the boot within 48 hours, the vehicle will be towed and impounded, and the owner will be responsible for the associated fees."

So much to unpack here.

Pay Your Great Falls, Montana Parking Tickets

• Pay your parking tickets. Don't be THAT guy

This Feels Like The City's Water/Sewer/Garbage Thing All Over Again

• The city put their faith in the Passport program and the Passport Program let them down. For about 2 years, the City hasn't been able to send out letters to absconders. Because of that, they want their $80,000 NOW
• It's a bit like when the City could finally take water/sewer/garbage payments on line again, and threatened anyone who didn't pay over the summer they'd turn them off if they didn't pay the balance in full
• I'm curious if the people who had all the parking tickets even KNEW they were in trouble if no letters were being sent out. Check and see if you have an outstanding ticket or tickets here.

Back On Line: The City Of Great Falls New Payment Portal Is Open

While I feel that all of the citizens who have these outstanding tickets need to take care of them, the City needs to realize your deficiencies aren't my emergency.

Just like the City doesn't have a section on my bill asking, "Why you can't pay this month", I don't have a section of my budget that says "Mistakes/New things the City of Great Falls Does may need to be payable all at once after they're done with the inconvenience on their end".

Make Sure You Have The Passport App

It really is easy to use. My favorite part is not hunting for enough change to feed into the meter.

Find out everything you need to know about paying for parking downtown on an app by clicking here. There's even an instructional video.