Thousands of students resumed classes this week in Bryan-College Station, and complaints of parking violations near Texas A&M and Blinn College have drawn the attention of local police departments.
"It takes about the first two weeks of school before people start realizing we're serious about this and will enforce the rules," said Officer Jon Agnew, a spokesman for Bryan police. "Every semester, you're dealing with a new group of students who might be unfamiliar with the area, so it takes a little time."
In Bryan, Agnew said, most parking citations are issued on Hollow Hill Drive, East 25th Street and Shelly Lane.
Some students realize quickly that citations are likely if you're parked in a restricted area.
"Earlier this morning, they were out here writing everyone tickets," said 19-year-old Issac Lozano, pointing to a row of cars parked along East 25th Street. "My friend lives in a house a few streets over, so I park in his driveway."
Lt. Rodney Sigler, a spokesman for College Station police, said high-complaint areas in that city include most neighborhoods near campus, Walton Drive and, during really busy times, the Northgate area.
Officers with both police departments will be patrolling the areas prone to complaints and issuing citations throughout the school year.
Neither department tows vehicles unless there is a "serious infraction."
"That would be reserved for things like parking in front of a fire hydrant or blocking an intersection," Sigler said.
According to parking officials at each campus, about 3,000 parking spaces are available at Blinn and 34,741 at A&M.
Blinn designates about 350 spots to faculty and staff at a flat rate of $50 per parking pass. Students can get passes for $50 that are good for fall and spring semesters.
A&M has 20,741 student parking spaces and 14,000 for faculty or staff. Prices range from $275 to $444.
Faculty at A&M can purchase passes in student parking as well.
Neither Blinn nor A&M has made significant changes to parking recently, but Peter Lange, interim executive director of Transportation Services at A&M, said some bus routes are at capacity.
"Our high ridership routes are those that go up toward the sorority houses and the routes down Callaway and Holleman," he said. "Our peak use hasn't shifted just yet. People are still figuring out their routines, and everyone now wants to ride at the same time."
He anticipates the routes will even out in a few weeks.
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