Romanian Senate adopts bill providing jail for those who illegally charge parking fees

The Romanian Senate passed on Monday, November 6, the draft bill under which those who illegally take money from people who park their cars in public places can be sent to jail. Known as parcagii among Romanians, these people can usually be seen in Bucharest and large cities. They spend their time near public parking places in crowded areas and allegedly help people park their cars in these places. However, after they help the driver park his car, they never forget to ask for money in return. They even get aggressive sometimes, especially if the driver refuses to give them money, or if the amount is too small. Under the draft bill, which was initiated by two liberal MPs, these parcagii can spend between six months and 15 years in prison for illegally charging parking fees, reports local News.ro. “The charging of a parking fee in any way and by any title by a person who doesn’t have an authorization in this sense or who doesn’t have at least one right of use on that space shall be punished by imprisonment from 6 months to 1 year,” reads the legislative proposal. The prison sentences can increase to 15 years, depending on several provisions of the draft bill. However, this would only apply to recidivists. Those who commit this offense for the first time would have to do some community work. The Senate is the first chamber notified on this project, but the Chamber of Deputies will have the final say. Most drivers in Bucharest admit to parking illegally Bucharest City Hall plans automated payment system for all parking lots Irina Marica, irina.marica@romania-insider.com