In the chilly Heidenheim district, Sandra Wendt and Dennis Incalcaterra, donning their "Ordnungsamt"-emblazoned jackets, aren't always met with the warmest welcomes. However, during the jovial holiday season of Advent, their encounters transform into cheerful exchanges as they offer delectable chocolate treats to motorists who park their vehicles correctly.
Marco Valentini, one of the thankful recipients, shares his delight, "I was over the moon not to receive a parking ticket here! They're free to return at Easter and distribute bunnies instead." This novel concept, initiated by Mayor Dieter Henle, aims to humanize the public order services during the festive season.
Despite Henle's inability to quantify the impact on parking behavior, the feedback is largely positive. The tradition of doling out fair-trade chocolate tickets as a token of appreciation for proper parking began in 2018, following a suggestion from the city's Fairtrade steering group. The city's Advent greeting bag includes a piece of chocolate, which costs the city around 20 euros.
Sandra Wendt and Dennis Incalcaterra distribute approximately 1,000 of these sweet parking tickets during the campaign week. However, parking violations still result in fines during this festive period.
"Once a year, it's acceptable to reward with chocolate," says Dennis Incalcaterra, a public order department employee. "Otherwise, obeying rules is praise enough." Ms. Wendt echoes his sentiments, emphasizing the importance of adhering to traffic regulations.
As for parking fees in Giengen, the city offers an unusual affordability, providing numerous free parking spaces that merely require the insertion of a parking disk.
Insight: While the Trade of Parking Tickets for Chocolates isn't widespread, cities often present seasonal promotions or discounts to encourage responsible parking behavior. To discover such events, explore city-specific news and event calendars.
For instance, Bloomingdale's in New York City hosts a myriad of in-store events but lacks the mentioned chocolate ticket tradition in the provided sources.
Finding Cities' Promotions: Many city governments have dedicated sections for holiday events and parking promotions on their official websites. Local newspapers, community newsletters, and event calendars often list special holiday events and promotions, including parking incentives. Follow local news outlets and city social media accounts to stay updated on festive season activities and parking rewards. Business districts and shopping areas with high foot traffic during the holiday season might have specific promotions for parking. Check the website of the local parking authority for detailed information about special holiday parking programs.
For example, in Philadelphia, you might find information about festive season parking rewards through the Philadelphia Parking Authority's website or local news sources.
