A meter maid or parking attendant is a government employee who is responsible for issuing citations and tickets to vehicles that have exceeded their time limit in a parking space, lot, or garage. Many people resent meter maids for enforcing laws, so this is a thankless job. Meter maids are usually employed by the local government or local law enforcement agencies in public areas.
A meter maid’s job is straightforward and typically requires at least a driver’s license. Most meter maids travel through their assigned area in cars, bikes, or scooters, so familiarity with a variety of vehicles is essential. If a meter maid notices a car parked in an illegal area or at an expired meter, he or she must issue a ticket or citation. These citations usually require the offender to pay a fine to the city or law enforcement agencies.
Meter maids may have to deal with irate or upset customers on a daily basis. Parking fines can be exorbitant, and many people believe they are excessively harsh. A meter maid’s job necessitates maintaining composure and not succumbing to insults or rage. Meter maids in some areas may want to consider taking self-defense classes as a precautionary measure. While the majority of customers will be irritated by their citation, violence against parking attendants is not unheard of.
Remember that a meter maid is a city employee who is simply doing his or her job. When a car driver parks in a metered or controlled space, he or she agrees to follow the rules regarding time limits, parking fees, and possible penalties. While receiving a hefty ticket for having an expired meter for two minutes is infuriating, complaints should be directed to the appropriate enforcement agency rather than shouted at the meter maid.
The revenue generated by parking meters and fines could be critical to the civil services of towns and cities. Many small towns rely on parking fees to fund essential services and infrastructure improvements. While it’s tempting to believe that a meter maid is lining his or her pockets with excessive fines, keep in mind that money from meter maid tickets is used to build roads, sweep streets, and clean cities.
A meter maid may have additional responsibilities in some countries. Parking attendants are also used in some Swedish cities to cite petty crimes such as vandalism and graffiti. Other countries provide more in-depth training to meter maids and allow them to enforce traffic laws. Meter maids with additional responsibilities are frequently employed by a law enforcement agency, such as the police, rather than a government agency.