AMES – Police in Ames are warning citizens of a traditionally wild traffic and parking problem in this college community on the Saturday prior to classes starting, and the resulting robust police enforcement and towing possible that day.
“For years, the Saturday before classes begin at ISU has become a problem,” Ames police said in a statement about the problem. “Many visitors have started to come in to town on this day. In addition to a number of other problems, parking has become a real public safety hazard on that Saturday. Cars are frequently illegally parked on residential streets making it difficult or impossible to get emergency vehicles through. For these reasons, the City Council has authorized the immediate towing of illegally parked vehicles on Saturday, August 20.
“This year, the City and the University are partnering to create Cyclone Welcome Weekend to provide safe and fun ways for our ISU students to be welcomed to Ames for another great year. You will hear more about this later.
“Our hope is to tow no one. However, the public safety hazard created by the number of illegally parked vehicles may make it necessary. The authorization is for the campustown area of Ames, generally, Lincoln Way south to Mortensen and Beach Avenue west to State Street.”
