City workers to issue tickets?

TOLEDO, Ohio - A memo obtained by FOX Toledo News apparently outlines changes to computer software to allow workers with the City of Toledo’s Division of Streets, Bridges and Harbor to issue parking citations to citizens.

While the city hasn’t yet returned our calls, Toledo Police Patrolman's Association President Dan Wagner isn’t thrilled with the proposed idea.

He heard about it for the first time Thursday night.

“What's next, is he going to put pothole patch in the back of the police cruisers and tell us to patch potholes while we're out driving around?” Wagner quipped.

There are distinctive lines between divisions – along with different training and job responsibilities – that should not be blurred, he said.

On top of that, he argues that the city’s charter doesn’t even legally allow for this sort of plan.

It does allow special police powers for employees of the Department of Neighborhoods, but that’s "strictly limited to the inspection for violations of the nuisance, building, sign, health, fire and housing codes."

As for what happens if you do get a ticket, Wagner said you will have to treat it as you would a ticket issued by a police officer.

But he had other advice if you spot a person in plain clothes leaving a citation on your property.

“If you see someone on your property without a uniform who's writing a parking tag, he's impersonating a police officer,” he said. “And because we're so short, use the proper force necessary to detain that person until a police crew can respond.”