All fines are automatically determined and assessed to an individual's community account. An officer will not know the fine amount at the time the violation notice is given. Fines are:
- automatically determined based on past violation history
- increase with each recurrence of a violation
- cumulative for multiple violations
This process is known as Graduated Fines. Graduated fines is a practice carried out in many metropolitan areas and works on a method of increasing the penalty for each repeat violation. The theory is that continued failure to adjust parking to conform with regulations harms the community. By increasing the penalty with each repeat violation, minor or one-time offenders are offered a chance to correct behavior without incurring major fines whereas repeat offenders are assessed greater fines. All efforts are made to correct behavior without incurring penalties whenever possible.
Fines Schedule
Below is a break-down of the graduated fine schedule. Fines do not increase beyond the maximum penalty listed below, but offenders will be subject to impounding of their vehicle and possible barring from campus.
Offense | First Violation | Second Violation | Third Violation | Fourth Violation | Fifth Violation |
Altered / Forged Parking Permit | $100 | $150 | $200 | $250 | $300 |
Reckless Driving | $30 | $60 | $120 | $240 | $480 |
| Speeding | $10 | $25 | $50 | $100 | $200 |
| Failure to Yield | $10 | $25 | $50 | $100 | $200 |
Exceeded Time Limit | Warning | $10 | $20 | $30 | $40 |
Improper Display/Expired (permit) | Warning | $5 | $10 | $15 | $20 |
No Permit | Warning | Warning | Warning | $80 | $120 |
Parked in a No-Parking Area | Warning | $20 | $30 | $40 | $50 |
Parked in a Closed Lot | Warning | $20 | $40 | $60 | $80 |
Unauthorized Permit (for lot) | Warning | $20 | $40 | $80 | $120 |
Disability Space (unauthorized) | $50 | $100 | $150 | $200 | $250 |
Reserved Space (unauthorized) | Warning | $50 | $75 | $100 | $125 |
Towing Fee* | $85 | Same | Same | Same | Same |
Immobilization
Whenever a vehicle is immobilized, Campus Security & Safety will adhere a warning sticker to the front driver's side door window to alert the owner. As stated above, the Campus Security & Safety reserves the right to ticket, immobilize, and tow vehicles, at the owner's expense, which are parked on campus in violation of any parking regulation. It is not the responsibility of Security to remove the sticker and Campus Security & Safety is not responsible for damage done to any vehicle which is driven or moved while immobilized, or damage done by someone other than Security personnel attempting to remove the device. Damage done to a tire clamp in an attempt to tamper with or remove it will be charged to the vehicle owner. Charges will include repair and possible replacement fees. Unauthorized removal of a tire clamp is a misdemeanor offense and violators may be prosecuted.
To have an immobilization device removed please contact the Dispatch Center at 651-638-6400. An officer will meet you at your location to discuss requirement for the removal of the immobilization devise.
Towing*
Campus Security & Safety does not charge a fine for a tow. Bethel University is charged by a private towing company for the service and that fee is passed along to the vehicle owner. Bethel University is not liable for damage done to vehicles during towing. If your vehicle experiences damage resulting from towing, please contact the Office of Security & Safety for the towing company's contact information. Please contact Security & Safety if you think your vehicle may have been towed.
Barring
Generally a vehicle charged with 5+ violations of a particular offense per school year may be temporarily barred from campus. Continued violations may result in barring for the remainder of the academic year. The following violations may result in your driving privileges on campus being revoked. Gross driving misconduct, moving, removing, or defacing Bethel property (including immobilization devices and parking permits) and blatant disregard for Bethel's policies.