Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Enforcement Operations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
PEOs to move under police; training, body cams and 'Compliance or Defiance' campaign planned
Summary
Administrator Carol Knubel and Chief Michael Pontillo told the board that parking enforcement officers will transfer to the Police Department on June 1, 2026; training, body cameras, Saturday staffing and a public education/enforcement campaign were outlined.
Westwood officials told the Parking Utility Advisory Board that parking enforcement officers (PEO's, as referred to in the minutes) will transfer administratively to the Police Department effective June 1, 2026, and described steps intended to support the transition, de-escalation and compliance.
Chief Michael Pontillo said training materials and a schedule have been prepared for the PEO transition; PEOs "will be trained to look at the totality of the circumstances" and "will receive body cams which will help with de-escalation." Pontillo also said the department will "put a Class-1 in the CBD on Saturdays" to support weekend compliance and outreach.
Why it matters: Moving PEOs under police supervision changes reporting lines and operational oversight and introduces new training and equipment intended to reduce confrontations during parking enforcement.
Details and implementation: Chief Pontillo and Administrator Knubel said they are coordinating training and evaluating electronic-meter and mobile-payment options as part of improving collections and convenience. Pontillo described a QR-code payment approach that would link users to a website with zone and space numbers and multiple payment methods; he said controlling the convenience fee could raise revenue and provide users with a map and space information. The minutes record plans to acquire body-worn cameras for PEOs and to use them as a de-escalation tool.
Board members asked for details about schedules and operations; Christopher Owens requested a copy of the Parking Study and the minutes show the board intends to review study findings before major operational changes. No formal ordinance or council vote on the PEO transfer is recorded in the minutes; the transfer date listed in the minutes is June 1, 2026.
The board adjourned at 9:18 p.m.
