A little charity could go a long way for those with tickets

Those who receive parking tickets in Grafton this winter will have the opportunity to reduce their fines by 50% in exchange for donations to Family Sharing of Ozaukee County.

The Grafton Police Department is offering those who have received parking tickets the chance to pay up to half of the fine with canned good and other staples that will be donated to the food pantry.

 Those with $50 parking tickets will be able to bring in $25 worth of supplies and pay $25 to satisfy the fee.

The program will start just before the village implements parking restrictions for snow plowing on Dec. 1.

To be eligible, the parking ticket must be issued between Nov. 27 and Jan. 9 with tickets being paid before Jan. 15.

Those without parking tickets are still welcome to bring goods to the Grafton Police Department.

 Grafton Police Chief Jeff Caponera said in a news release that the program will not take away from due process afforded to those who wish to challenge the ticket and that the measure is meant to generate donations for the food pantry.

“This program is designed to help those who need it most. It’s a win, win for everyone,” he said.

Also through the winter season, the police department will serve as a delivery location for packages to prevent theft from households.

Those interested may send packages to the department at 1981 Washington St. Grafton, WI 53024 and pick them up with proof of identification and tracking paperwork between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. every day.

The program is free but the department asks participants to bring canned food items or unwrapped toys during pickups to donate to Family Sharing and the Kapco Metal Stamping Kids2Kids Christmas present campaign.

The department asks that packages be picked up within five days of the delivery date.