In his first week as Sarasota’s newly appointed “parking czar,” Lt. Dwayne Shellhammer pledged to work hand in hand with the city’s Downtown Improvement District. Emphasizing a transition away from the term “meter maids,” he introduced “parking ambassadors” as part of a broader plan focused on better customer service and user-friendly parking solutions.
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Policy Analysis
New city parking leader meets with downtown business board
Photo by Your Observer
Key Takeaways:
- Sarasota’s Parking Division officially merged with the Sarasota Police Department on October 29.
- Lt. Dwayne Shellhammer is leading a push to recast parking officers as “parking ambassadors.”
- A short-lived expansion of enforcement hours was repealed after one month.
- Business leaders emphasize that malfunctioning meters remain a top concern.
- City officials plan to blend survey data for future improvements to the parking system.
The Transition and New Leadership
In only his fourth day on the job, Lt. Dwayne Shellhammer of the Sarasota Police Department introduced himself to the Downtown Improvement District (DID) Board of Directors. His appointment comes after the city’s entire Parking Division officially moved under the direction of City Manager Kare Friling and the Sarasota Police Department on October 29. Shellhammer, referring to himself as Sarasota’s new “parking czar,” explained his goal: “It’s week one, but I want to have a good working relationship with you folks, and I feel like it starts here.”
Past Policy Challenges
Shellhammer’s arrival follows the city’s brief but ultimately failed attempt to expand parking enforcement hours last July. The City Commission authorized charging for parking until midnight Monday through Saturday, as well as from noon to midnight on Sundays. The measure applied to both paid and free timed parking, but it lasted only about a month before being rescinded due to public criticism.
Reimagining the Role of Enforcement
Central to Shellhammer’s vision is a shift in terminology and responsibilities. “Don’t call the enforcement officers ‘meter maids,’” he stressed to the DID, preferring the term “parking ambassadors.” The notion is simple: focus on improving residents’ and visitors’ overall parking experience. Shellhammer expects these ambassadors to undergo training in customer service so they can provide assistance and guidance, rather than simply writing tickets.
Business Community’s Perspective
Although members of the DID Board say local patrons are open to paying for parking, they point to faulty, solar-powered meters that struggle under Florida’s intense sun. As board member Eileen Hampshire puts it, “Our meters don’t work. … They aren’t easy to use. They don’t work half the time. These are things we have to work on.” She emphasizes that the negative experience, more than cost, is a deterrent for visitors.
Moving Forward with Collaboration
As part of improving the system, Shellhammer has collected data from a recent survey focusing on downtown users’ feedback. Combining his department’s findings with the city’s survey data, he plans to track improvements after a year. “I want you to know that you have a voice now, not that you didn’t before, but you definitely have a direct contact line to me,” Shellhammer said. “I’m a good facilitator, which is why the chief put me here.” With that commitment, Sarasota’s new parking leader looks to build a cooperative path forward that meets the needs of both local businesses and residents.
