Yellow parking meters line Madison Street between 4th and 5th Avenues in downtown Phoenix that read “Donations Only.” Maricopa County set them up a few weeks ago to benefit homeless outreach programs.
Fields Mosley from Maricopa County said the county owns the land, but Phoenix city workers were ticketing drivers. When drivers went to pay their bill, the tickets were dismissed.
The county decided to give drivers the option to donate and throw some coins in for a good cause. The Board of Supervisors approved the idea last month.
“I love the idea,” said driver Christina Burruel. “In retrospect, it’s helping out the community and getting these people off the corner.”
The county said the proceeds got to various nonprofits to help the homeless. They don’t expect to make a fortune off the parking meters, but they say every little bit counts.
