SACRAMENTO, Calif. (PSN)—Authorities are investigating a parking meter tampering incident in Sacramento’s Midtown area. Reports emerged Saturday morning of multiple meters being accessed unlawfully.
Shortly after 7 a.m., police officers were dispatched to the intersection of 19th and K Streets following eyewitness accounts of an individual seen opening parking meters. According to police radio traffic, a subject was detained at 7:19 a.m. in connection with the incident. The Sacramento Police Department has confirmed an arrest in Saturday morning's caper.
Our team at Public Safety News (PSN) observed that several blocks of parking meters were left open without visible damage, suggesting that the suspect may have had a key or a specialized tool to access them without causing harm.
Since October 2024, Sacramento has experienced a surge in parking meter vandalism, with over 1,395 meters damaged. According to a December 8th release from the Sacramento Police Department, these acts have cost the city approximately $400,000 in repairs and resulted in $15,000 in lost revenue. The ongoing wave of meter tampering disrupts daily life for residents and strains the city’s budget.
In this morning’s incident, callers reported seeing the suspect using tools and a flashlight near the meters, dragging a garbage bin, and loading it with change. This methodical approach indicates a planned effort to steal revenue from the city.
The Sacramento Police Department’s media release titled “Help Us Stop Parking Meter Theft!” emphasized the importance of community vigilance in addressing these crimes. Detectives are actively investigating the cases and have made several arrests related to previous incidents. However, each new theft presents unique challenges, and law enforcement is seeking the public’s assistance to prevent further occurrences.
In a media release this afternoon, Officer Allison Smith, from the department’s PIO office, stated, “This morning at approximately 7:15am, officers responded to the area of 18th St and Capitol Ave regarding someone breaking into meters. Several damaged meters were located and a suspect has been arrested related to that incident.”
Residents are encouraged to remain alert and report any suspicious activities around parking meters, especially during late-night and early-morning hours. The police department advises calling 911 for emergencies or using the non-emergency line at (916) 808-5471 to report suspicious behavior. Sharing video footage of such incidents can also help solve these cases.
“Your quick action can help us hold those responsible accountable and protect our city’s resources,” the department stated in their media release.
As Sacramento continues to tackle this persistent issue, law enforcement remains committed to investigating and preventing parking meter vandalism to ensure public safety and safeguard municipal funds.
