That's because one or two times a week, motorists who park in the Washington parking garage on Franklin Street can't get out because the tickets used to exit are crinkled or folded or the magnetic strip on the back gets somehow compromised.
Washington County's public safety director says there is an informal agreement with the city and 911 to help motorists who can't get out. A sign at the garage exit tells motorists who to call if they get stuck.
Officials tell the Observer-Reporter of Washington that they've looked into the problem, but there's nothing they can do. The automated system works fine - it's only motorists who damage their tickets that have a problem.
