Dear driver: We noticed you didn't make it back to your car in time, so we plugged in a coin. Your friends, the meter police.

Yes, this small upstate village near the Finger Lakes believes that a little unexpected courtesy - like leaving nice notes instead of tickets on cars with expired meters - can go a long way.Since the practice began in August 1992, visitors have been pleasantly surprised by a free nickel in their meter, Deputy Village Clerk Patty Couch told the Syracuse Herald-Journal.

The notes that the meter police leave on cars also request a donation to the "courtesy fund" so others can enjoy the same kindness.

So far, 1,902 people have made donations averaging $1.60 each, or $3,042, Couch said. One woman gave $15. The total amount of parking-ticket revenue dropped from $22,600 in 1991-92 to $9,700 in 1992-93.

But a file at the village office is packed with thank-you notes. One called the program "a sensible break." Another said the free coins represent "an eminently civilized alternative" to tickets.

Despite the loss, village officials consider the meters a necessary evil to keep parking spaces from being monopolized.

The decision to ticket or not to ticket is left up to the sole part-time meter reader, Helen Searle, who carries around the extra nickels during rounds. A nickel buys 15 minutes of meter time.

Join the Conversation
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.