Ventura College in 2009 has seen an increase in enrollment, resulting in a limited number of on-campus parking spots and forcing students to park off-campus.

Even if you buy the $22 parking permit at Ventura College you are not guaranteed a spot on campus, even in the remote swimming pool lot.

“Most campus parking lots fill up fast,” said Ventura College Campus Police Lt. Bob Escobedo. “The last to fill is the swimming pool lot.”

Driving down Loma Vista Road or Telegraph Road and finding a parking spot on the shoulder is never an easy task. As you are slowing down to find a spot there is traffic flying by and frustration quickly sets in. Where do you go when the only parking spot open barely fits a Smart car. The streets perpendicular to Loma Vista and Telegraph are an option, but nothing comes easy. Anyone who’s searched these streets will have noticed the one-hour parking signs from 8 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

In the event you happen to park on these restricted streets, the campus police are not your enemies.

“We try to stay on campus; Telegraph, Loma Vista and other streets we leave up to the Ventura Police Department,” said Escobedo. “Ventura Police Department has the entire jurisdiction surrounding the campus; they can and will ticket you.”

Ventura College is busy and crowded this year and more individuals are being creative and risking the parking ticket. Even residents who live on the surrounding streets are starting to notice the growth.

“This is the most crowded I’ve ever seen these streets. I’ve lived here ten years,” said local resident Larry Ryan.

Parking up these streets is a risk, but still an option in times of desperation.

“Students parking up here is what it is you can’t stop it, even though I don’t like it,” said Ryan.

Ryan is interested in installing a stop sign at the end of the street, but Ventura City declined his request. Instead, he has to get a personal parking permit so he does not get a ticket for parking in front of his own house. Any car parked between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. that exceeds the one hour parking limit will be ticketed by the Ventura Police Department.

This year, parking is more of a challenge. To make parking as easy as possible, either carpool with a friend or arrive to school ten minutes earlier than normal to find a spot. Also, avoid these parking signs as much as possible; to make sure you do not have to pay the fine.