Stack parking opens up space, concerns

Stack parking opens up space, concerns

Fearing accidents and theft, drivers dislike leaving keys

By Lisa Marie Weyh

Parking at UCLA may be getting easier, but the issue of safety
continues to remain in the air. Due to the on-going problem of
student and staff parking availability, officials said they
developed a solution for 1,000 of the many "spaceless" Bruins.

Since September, Ampco System Parking brought back the option of
"stack" parking (placing one car behind another) in lot 8, located
near the campus police station. The system enables more Bruins to
pack their cars into the full lot. But some motorists said they
dislike the procedure because leaving keys with an attendant is
required.

"I would not feel comfortable leaving my car keys with an
attendant all day," said Sandra Cheng, a fourth-year communications
student. "I don’t see how my car and my belongings inside could be
safe. My car could easily get hit and stuff could be taken without
anyone knowing."

But parking officials said they want the UCLA community to also
understand the benefits of stack parking.

"The number one reason we have stack parking is to provide more
spaces for students and staff — it is very important for people to
realize this," said Field Operations Manager Gary Streaty.

Lot 8, the largest parking lot on campus, can hold 3,000 cars.
With stack parking, the lot allows for 4,000 vehicles.

"Last quarter there were thousands of students on the wait list
for a parking permit," Sato said. "Stacking cars allows a number of
those students to be removed from that list."

Although stacking cars allows more permits to be issued, it also
increases the likelihood of theft, students said.

This feeling of insecurity may be closer to home than one
expects — as Lisa Parra discovered.

"Someone got into my car while it was parked in lot 8 and stole
a bag containing very personal and valuable items including my
checkbook," said Parra, a first-year Dance/Movement Therapy
graduate student. "My car was not broken into – whoever got in, got
in with a key."

Ampco System Parking at UCLA consists of 40 employees, all
pre-screened.

"All of our employees complete an orientation session as well as
a training process," said Sato. "In addition, a background check is
done on each employee which includes a drug test as well as a
driving record check."

The motorists who are new to the stacking procedure need to
become aware of it, officials said.

"It’s extremely important for people to know how the process
works to avoid confusion," Sato said. Directions for stack parking
can be obtained from one of the parking attendants or from the
stack parking office.

The process of parking one’s car in lot 8 requires some
attention. For example, drivers must know where to pick up their
keys late in the evening.

"It is necessary for people to follow our procedure for
parking," said Sato. "It is more efficient that way and it makes it
a lot easier for everybody," he added.

With stack parking can also come crowding and confusion.
However, management is almost always on duty to resolve any
problems that may arise.

"If a car is blocked in by another car, the driver simply needs
to write down the ticket number that is on the windshield or take
the ticket to the attendant at the key box and they will move it,"
Sato said. "There are two key boxes located in lot 8, so this
procedure works well."

Still, even with special procedures and background checks, a few
students said they will not take any risks.

"I see the value of stack parking since UCLA is always strapped
for spaces … but personally, I would not leave my car and keys
with just anyone," said third-year communications student Michelle
Cabalu.

And bad luck seems to be following Parra around in lot 8. Just
about two weeks after the valuables were stolen from her car, she
got another scare.

"At the end of the day when I was walking back to my car, I saw
my door completely wide open … I could not believe this," said
Parra. "I just kept thinking of how these people have access to my
car all day … it’s scary … I don’t park there anymore. This
quarter I moved to a different lot," she added.

An insurance claim department is available for all drivers who
have complaints with Ampco System parking.

"We have had claims filed against us, but that is likely to
happen when you work with a thousand cars each day, we just have to
deal with it on a case by case basis," Sato said.