St. Pete City Council considers raising parking ticket rates

Parking prices all over the Tampa Bay area are rising. Soon, parking citation rates could nearly double in St. Pete.St. Pete City Council is considering raising parking citation rates from $17.50 to $32.50."Sometimes you can't find a parking spot anywhere," said SuAnn Young, a driver in St. Pete.When it comes to parking near downtown St. Pete, many people agree its a hassle."It's just a hit or miss, you know, sometimes, you get lucky, sometimes you have to drive around the block, drive around the block drive around the block," said Steve, another driver. Many people do all they can to avoid paying for parking and to avoid a parking ticket."I go in, but I leave my flashers on, I don't pay with the ones that say you gotta pay and pray that no one comes to give me a ticket," said Young.City leaders say the rate increase is needed to encourage people to move their cars in time and to free up more spaces for businesses."If prices go up, there's going to be more people who are like, we can