Parking Violations Published April 7, 2009 By Gina Monteiro 18 Wing Public Affairs KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Limited parking on Okinawa is leaving many base members in a tight spot. A total of 90 parking violations were issued to Kadena members in the first quarter of 2009. Most violations were given in the areas of Gate Two Street and near the Sunabe seawall. The easiest way to avoid receiving a parking violation is to be aware of the "no parking" signs, according to police officials "The signs will have arrows pointing both ways and usually the signs are very far apart," said Frederick Dollesin, 18th Security Forces squadron liaison officer. The "no parking" hours on Gate Two Street are from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. If you are parked there between those times you will receive a yellow sticker on your windshield. The meters are only used during the times parking is permitted. According to base officials, the main road that leads to the Sunabe seawall is where a majority of violations are given. The businesses on this street attract people to park on the left side of this main street; however there are "no parking" signs posted along this route. A parking violation notice comes in the form of a yellow ticket and is written in Japanese. If parked illegally you will find this notice on your windshield. "A lot of people think it is a warning, but it is not a warning," said Mr. Dollesin. "Status of Forces Agreement members often take the yellow ticket to their Japanese co-workers to read and the co-workers think it is a warning too." The yellow ticket is actually a notice stating a vehicle was illegally parked and a payment notice of 15,000 Yen is then sent to the registered owner of the vehicle shortly thereafter. In addition, a duplicate notification payment notice is sent to the 18th SFS Liaison's office. If the payment is not received before the specified due date, the vehicle will be placed on a registration restriction. "Some SOFA-status members have run into problems because their fines were not paid," said Mr. Dollesin. "Some of them could not de-register, transfer title or receive Japanese Compulsory Insurance on their vehicles." Violators can pay for the ticket at several off base Japanese banks including The Bank of Ryukyu, Okinawa Kaiho Bank and The Bank of Okinawa. "It is important the SOFA member bring the stamped receipt back to Bldg. 340 so that we can send a copy to the Japanese Police Department," said Mr. Dollesin. "This notifies the JPD that you have paid the fine and it will keep your vehicle off the restricted registration list." The SOFA member must keep the original receipt issued from the Japanese bank. Stapling the original receipt to your vehicle registration paperwork is suggested to prove payment during a JCI, transfer tile or de-registration. "If SOFA members are not sure what to do or have not received a payment order in the mail, please bring the yellow ticket to the 18 SF liaison office in Bldg. 340," said Mr. Dollesin. "We will direct you where to pay it." Building 340 is located on the left hand side right before entering Kadena's gate two. The phone number is 634-2239. "Parking is very limited," said Mr. Dollesin. "If we can help people avoid a ticket that's what we want to do. We want to get the information out."