Drivers who make the mistake of parking too close to fire hydrants or bus stops, or who commit any parking violation in St. Albert, will be able to hand over a toy as payment for the ticket in place of actual cash.
The city announced it was unwrapping its third annual Toys for Tickets campaign, effective Tuesday, Nov. 15. Anyone receiving a parking ticket from that date through Nov. 30 can pay for the ticket with a new toy. Payment must be made by Dec. 7.
“The program was implemented to raise toys for these kids who might not get toys at Christmas,” said Garnet Melnyk, senior officer with Municipal Enforcement Services. “We then donate the toys to the Fill-A-Bus campaign, at which time they distribute the toys.”
Under the program, municipal enforcement officers who hand out a $40 parking ticket to any vehicle will also include a flyer about the Toys for Tickets campaign. Anyone who receives a ticket can purchase a toy suitable for children from newborn to 16 years and worth a minimum of $25 and use it to pay for the ticket. The toy must be new and in its original packaging, and the receipt proving the value of the toy must also be brought to RCMP headquarters.
Besides helping spread a little Christmas cheer, Melnyk said it’s also a potential financial break for parking violators.
“Instead of paying $40, you go find a toy that’s $25 and you’ve saved yourself $15,” he said.
But most people who contribute to the program don’t take that approach, according to Will Steblyk, manager of planning and customer service with St. Albert Transit, whose contracted drivers plan and host the Fill-A-Bus event.
“As it turns out, from what I’ve heard, the people who pay their tickets with toys often come in with toys that are worth much more than the $25 requirement and we love to see that,” said Steblyk.
While Municipal Enforcement Services hands out the bulk of parking tickets in St. Albert, the RCMP have also been made aware of the program, Melnyk said. In the event a complaint comes in after hours, RCMP officers can also provide a Toys for Tickets flyer with any parking ticket they hand out.
“It’s a very enthusiastic program that all of the officers wholeheartedly participate in because they know it’s going to a good cause,” said Melnyk.
In a news release, the city said 72 per cent of ticketed drivers paid last year with toys valued at about $4,200.
“It’s a small mountain of toys,” said Melnyk.
That small mountain is greatly appreciated by the transit drivers when it comes time for Fill-A-Bus, which is scheduled this year for Saturday, Dec. 10. All donated toys, goods and cash go towards the Kinettes’ hamper campaign, which provides Christmas hampers to less fortunate families.
“The operator [Diversified Transportation] has said that they’ve seen some significant contributions from that program and it has been a very valuable program for Fill-A-Bus,” Steblyk said.
Steblyk encouraged anyone who gets ticketed to hand over a toy this year to help the less fortunate.
“And if you’re going to park illegally in St. Albert, make it between Nov. 15 and 30,” he joked.
