Proposition H

San Francisco voted down the initiative that would have given control of parking and traffic regulations to the police department, returned parking meters that accept nickels and dimes and rolled back parking fines to the 1988 level.

Proposition H, defeated by a margin of nearly 3 to 1, also called for the prohibition of an increase in parking fines for three years and automatic promotions of parking control officers.

At SF State, students stressed security and economic reasons for their votes on the proposition. "They (the police department) have too much to deal with already. I'd prefer them to be doing their job and not giving out parking tickets when I'm being robbed," said Rachel Jones, a graduate student in women studies who voted against Proposition H.

"Think how much it would cost to change all those meters," said history major Mark Friedenthal, who also rejected the initiative. He added another reason was the proposition's requirement that parking control officers be automatically promoted to a supervisory position after 10 years of service.

"I have already about $140 in tickets, and I have to go back to check my car every hour to avoid more," said Mafel Galsim, an undeclared major who voted for the initiative. She said most of her tickets were issued at SF State and at City College, where she also takes classes. "It's too much, and even if you have permits you get tickets because there's not enough space," she said.

"We're not rich, and a lot of people cannot afford the fines," said a social work major who also supported the proposition, but declined to give her name.

"I don't drive but I've seen some friends' bills. It's sad," she said.

[ Golden Gater Online November 9, 1995 ]

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