University Police

I get home late at night because I work, and the shuttle is not running. I don't feel comfortable walking up from Facilities Services by myself, what can I do?

Michael — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 14:41:57 +0000

Don’t worry. If the shuttle is not running, PSU University Police will give you a ride back to campus. There are phones located at the shuttle stops, call and then wait in your vehicle until the police arrive.

Who makes all these parking rules?

Michael — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 14:40:09 +0000

University Police doesn’t make the parking rules—we just enforce them. Parking issues are addressed by the PSU Parking Committee, which is made up of students, faculty and staff. The committee meets several times throughout the year. When parking concerns and issues are brought to the committee, they recommend changes in policy and rules to the administration.

Dude! Where’s my car?

Michael — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 14:38:52 +0000

There are several reasons cars may towed on campus:

Illegally Parked Cars: Plymouth State has the right to remove any vehicle parked contrary to rules and regulations, or causing a safety hazard or inconvenience. Towing in these situations is at the owner’s expense. The University accepts no financial liability for any costs or damages resulting from vehicles being towed from PSU property.
Flooding: Vehicles in East Side Parking sometimes have to be moved because of the threat of high water or flooding. Usually University Police has some warning and can take steps to notify people to move their vehicles onto the main campus. However, from time to time we’ve been surprised with rapidly rising river waters and have had very little time for notification. After making notification as best we can, we sometimes have to call in a wrecker to remove vehicles to avoid damage from the high water. Vehicles that do not have a permit or are parked illegally in those lots will be removed at the owner’s expense. Owners of permitted vehicles with appropriate current student information on file will be notified, usually by e-mail which is sent out to all permit holders, telling them to move.
Construction or Special Circumstances: Sometimes vehicles are legally parked, but may be in a situation where they are causing a problem for construction or maintenance. In these cases we may need to have them removed by calling a wrecker. Be sure your vehicle is permitted and your current correct information on file with Iparq so we can reach you to deal with a situation with your vehicle.

What are the parking violations?

Michael — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 14:36:50 +0000

Read about violations on the Fines & Appeals page.

How do I pay my fine for this ticket?

Michael — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 14:36:03 +0000

The ticket itself gives instructions for payment or appeal; the back of the violation slip has specific instructions. The fastest way to pay or appeal is to go online to www.scapay.com, or just place a check in the envelope along with the violation slip and mail it to:

Plymouth State University Collection Authority
PO Box 2358
Santa Barbara, CA 93120-2358

What is scapay.com? Who am I sending my money to?

Michael — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 14:17:41 +0000

Scapay.com stands for State Collection Authority Payment. This is a Web site operated through Iparq and thepermitstore.com to collect parking citation fines from all locations they serve. Your money for fines ends up back at Plymouth State University eventually; scapay just keeps track of the collections and credits your account at thepermitstore.com for any unpaid citations.

Why do my fines or appeal requests go to Santa Barbara?

Michael — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 14:16:55 +0000

PSU Police contracts with Iparq, the parent company of thepermitstore.com, to manage permit sales, tracking and parking citations. Iparq is used at UNH, Keene State and many other colleges and universities in New Hampshire and across the country. Appeals and administrative review of parking permit requests are done on campus, by a hearings officer at University Police, using the Iparq system. So even though your appeal is done online, it is actually reviewed and decided on campus. Iparq collects the fines, sells and distributes the permits in cooperation with Plymouth State University. Parking rules and regulations, as well as enforcement of parking, is decided at PSU. Iparq just provides the system that we use.

What if I don't pay my fines?

Michael — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 14:14:06 +0000

If the fines go unpaid for 30 days they will double and then be billed through the Bursar’s Office. Unpaid fines will be treated like any other charge on your Bursar bill and must be paid subject to the same policies as other charges, which may include being dropped from classes or not being allowed to register for classes or obtain transcripts.

Oops! I didn’t pay my tickets!

Michael — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 14:12:40 +0000

Any vehicle with three or more unpaid citations or five citations (paid or unpaid) during an academic year is subject to being towed or “booted” (University Police will apply an immobilizing device commonly known as the “boot”). Immobilization devices are kept on the vehicle for not more than 24 hours. After that, the vehicle will be towed at the owner’s expense and will not be released until the issues are resolved with University Police. The owner is responsible for all costs associated with towing and storage of the vehicle. There is also a fee of $60.00 for the immobilization device in addition to any other violations or towing and storage fees.

This ticket wasn’t fair!

Michael — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 14:09:48 +0000

There is a citation appeal process that is done online at www.scapay.com. There is a $50.00 fine for appeals that are deemed to be inappropriate (due to language, etc.) or frivolous in nature. Once your appeal is decided, you will be notified by e-mail. If your appeal is denied, you have the right to a personal appeal, which can be arranged through University Police. It is important that you clearly state your reasons for the appeal so that the PSU officer who decides your appeal online can make a reasonable decision. The decision resulting from the personal appeal is final.

Citations must be appealed within 10 days of being issued, and fines that are not paid within 30 days of the date the citation is issued will be doubled. After 30 days, the fines for citations are sent to the Plymouth State University Bursar’s Office for billing, at which point fines can only be paid at the PSU Bursar’s Office. The Bursar’s Office cannot adjust or waive fines. Questions regarding fines can only be addressed through University Police. Appeals must be submitted online at www.scapay.com.