### Iberparking vs. Tecate Residents
“It’s incredible that I have to pay to use the front of my own house. Look, my car has a boot on it now, and I have to pay a steep fine and wait for them to remove it. This happens daily; it’s unfair, abusive, but above all, illegal,” lamented a resident of Avenida Revolución in Tecate Centro.
Iberparking, the operator of parking meters in at least 30 blocks of the municipality, has suddenly reactivated its “service,” immobilizing and fining those who park in front of these meters, even if it’s directly outside their homes.
The woman’s complaint is just one among more than a hundred against Iberparking, which manages 580 parking slots across 30 blocks of Tecate’s main streets. These complaints have been filed with various municipal authorities, including the Tecate Public Safety Directorate, the Municipal Syndicate, and the City Hall. Additionally, five formal complaints have been registered with the Tecate Regional Prosecutor’s Office.
Don Armando, a 68-year-old man, expressed his frustration: “I don’t know how to operate a parking meter because the instructions aren’t user-friendly, especially for seniors. I’ve been fined and had my car immobilized. They tell you to use a cell phone application, but I don’t know how to do that. If they want us to pay, they should also invest in personnel to help us, people like me, who aren’t tech-savvy. Plus, several meters don’t work or give change.”
In protest against the immobilizers, both visitors and local residents have devised strategies to bypass the penalties. Some change the immobilized tires or break the immobilizers themselves using various tools.
Iberparking stated that since the start of its operations on July 15, there have been instances of vandalism against their meters. This increased operational costs, prompting the company to warn that they will take legal action against those responsible.
Currently, fines range from 3 pesos per 15 minutes of parking time, 150 pesos for immobilizer removal, and 200 pesos for time expiration, totaling up to 350 pesos.
Despite public discontent, Tecate mayor Darío Benítez mentioned in an interview that the initiation of Iberparking’s operations was delayed as much as possible. However, they resumed possibly due to agreements with the incoming administration led by Román Cota.
Although Iberparking operates without explicit confirmation from municipal authorities on the legality of their actions, no sanctions have been levied against them. Lawyers supporting the citizens affirm that the municipal government’s inaction could itself be deemed illegal.
Workers in Tecate’s Centro zone also voiced their dissatisfaction, noting that parking fees exceed their financial capabilities. For some, it equates to half their monthly salary.
In December 2023, Iberparking announced the start of their Tecate operations, taking effect from January 2, 2024. This concession covers 580 parking spots regulated by 40 parking meters, potentially generating up to 1,670,400 pesos monthly if consistently utilized.
This 21-year concession was awarded in 2016 during the government of César Moreno González de Castilla. Allegations suggest misappropriation of funds by Francisco Palacios Manjarrez, the then municipal secretary of government.
Iberparking claims the municipal government owes them over 31 million pesos for non-operation periods under previous administrations. The current administration, however, has not provided stickers or orders for Iberparking’s supposed enforcers.
### Legal Repercussions
Iberparking’s legal representatives warned of repercussions against those found vandalizing their property. They emphasize that their operations are within legal boundaries and that they have already deposited 196,191.27 pesos to the municipal government, indicating compliance with the contract.
### Community’s Legal Standpoint
The Tecate Regional Prosecutor’s Office has received five formal complaints. In the coming days, requests for information from both the municipal government and Iberparking will be made to thoroughly evaluate the legal standing of their operations.
On August 1, citizens and activist groups called for the city council’s presence to address their grievances during a protest held at Miguel Hidalgo Park.
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### Secondary Article: Tecate Residents Battle Parking Meters
The introduction of parking meters by Iberparking in Tecate has ignited widespread discontent among residents and visitors alike. This move, seen as a severe inconvenience, has led to numerous formal complaints and even acts of vandalism against the company’s equipment.
Affected citizens have expressed their frustration at being fined and immobilized for parking even in front of their properties. The collection methods and technological requirements pose significant challenges, especially for older residents.
In response, the local community has taken matters into their own hands, employing various methods to disable the immobilizers. While the municipal authorities have yet to intervene decisively, they emphasize the company’s legal obligations and contributions to the municipal fund as proof of their validity.
The conflict between Iberparking and Tecate’s residents underscores a broader issue of technological adaptation, fairness in public services, and the legal complexities of municipal agreements with private entities.
Further updates on this situation will follow as investigations by the Tecate Regional Prosecutor’s Office and other legal entities unfold.