Dozens report stolen permits

Sophomore Jenna Innis came out to her car Monday morning to find two tickets -- courtesy of IU Parking Operations -- on her car, though she was parked in a space allowed by her permit. She soon realized, like several other students across campus, the parking permit she expect to see in her front window was missing.\n"I'm not sure if it was lost or stolen; it could have been stolen, blown out, or I may have even knocked it out," Innis said.\nSeventy-five parking decals have been reported lost or stolen from cars across campus since July 1, said IU Parking Operations Director Doug Porter.\nThat includes four decals reported stolen Monday alone, according to IU Police Department reports.\nEvery year, IUPD investigates a large number of stolen decals, said IUPD Lt. Jerry Minger. Punishments for using a decal reported lost or stolen range from fines in excess of $250 to the possibility of criminal charges.\nThe decals are taken for a variety of reasons, Minger said, "the first of which is legitimate larceny. Someone walks by a car, sees they can get a parking pass with better parking privileges, or just a free pass, and takes it."\nMinger said there is another reason for the rash of stolen passes seen on campus. \n"Another possible option is the person who owns the car reports their decal lost and stolen," Minger said. "In reality they give the 'stolen' one to a friend or family member, then they can get a new one for five bucks."\nPorter recommends that as soon as a student realizes his or her permit is missing, he or she should file a report with Parking Operations, which will then send it to IUPD. \n"Usually students don't realize that their permits have been lost or stolen until they get a ticket from parking in the same type of space they have used all year," Porter said. "They can't figure it out at first, but then realize that they don't have their permit." \nIU Parking Operations will excuse the ticket if the student immediately comes into the office and reports the stolen permit. \nMost people who are caught using stolen decals are parked illegally -- not in the correct zone -- so an employee of parking operations checks the number on the decal, Minger said. \nThe vehicle with the stolen decal is then immediately towed, and the person using it is assessed a $200 fine on top of towing charges, according to the IU Parking Operations Web site. \nThe towing fine usually ranges from $75 to $80, Porter said. \nMost often, the person is just assessed the fine, but criminal charges can be filed in some cases, Minger said.\nThose who falsely report their decal lost or stolen can be charged with filing a false police report. \n-- Contact staff writer Mike Wilson at mhwilson@indiana.edu.