Got A Ticket? Tell It To Diamond -- Bellevue Could Be First City To Contract With Private `Enforcer'

BELLEVUE - Diamond Parking has been chosen for what could be Washington's first city contract with a private firm to enforce on-street-parking regulations.

The proposed $60,000-a-year contract is part of an initiative to add short-term parking for customers of downtown businesses. The City Council will vote tonight on the contract and on designation of about 140 new parking spaces.

A public-private task force in January recommended the additional parking and stricter enforcement downtown. Daytime parking will be limited to two hours.

Transportation Director Bill Guenzler said he is recommending the contract with Diamond Parking because the company offered to provide better service at no greater cost than the Police Department could offer.

Company employees, with limited police commissions, will write parking tickets and provide such courtesy services as jump-starting cars and helping motorists get into their vehicles when they lock themselves out.

If the contract is approved, Guenzler said, he believes Bellevue will be the only city in Washington to privatize parking enforcement.

Diamond Parking also holds an enforcement contract in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.