Colmar. On patrol with the ASVPs, responsible for controlling parking

The device delivers its verdict: the parking ticket for the Ford registered in Lot-et-Garonne has expired “14 hours and 31 minutes”, notes Sonia

. The public highway surveillance officer (ASVP) only needed to enter the registration number to obtain the information. Inflicting the post-parking charge via the software will not take much longer: around ten seconds.

A little further on, another car was parked without the driver having paid the payment. But this time, no sanction: Sonia shows the inclusion mobility card (CMI) which appears behind the windshield and exempts him from it.

On this Thursday in mid-December, free places are already rare, in the center of Colmar where Sonia and Marie

his colleague, are on patrol.

“It’s electric, you don’t even need garlands”

The Christmas markets are a busy period for their service. Not so much in terms of numbers: like other days, the two colleagues will each scan around 300 license plates.

But more in terms of the atmosphere: “It’s electric, no need for garlands,” jokes Marie, who nonetheless remains understanding: “There are a lot of people at that time, we shoot for park…”

Not to mention the stress: “People have to take care of the preparations, the gifts…” At that time, there were also additional missions for his department linked to the markets, such as the installation of bollards and anti-intrusion vehicles, before their opening. That morning, another pair was in charge.

A little further on, they come across a poorly parked car. This time it is a criminal offense. After the fine, Sonia takes care to take several photos: “Sometimes, the offenders appeal, explaining that they were not parked in that place… Then we can take out the photos as proof. »

Marie and Sonia continue on their way. They know the city center by heart. Every day, they cover an average of around twelve kilometers on foot, in all weathers. “It’s certain that when we come home in the evening, we fall asleep easily,” notes the first. [le service] Trained in conflict management

When they arrive in an area, they are often stopped by users, who appear to be worried about the idea of ​​being fined. There, it's a man asking where the parking meter is. Here, a lady struggling with her Paybyphone payment. ” Sometimes,

is saturated,” concedes Sonia, after offering to help her.

From time to time, the exchange is more tense, as with this motorist, about instant parking. Sonia answers him without losing patience.

The two agents were trained in conflict management. “The important thing is to stay calm,” they insist. And knowing how to leave before the situation gets out of hand. Both Marie and Sonia are aware of this: their profession is not the most popular in the world.

Especially since he carries his share of clichés with him. Like the one claiming that they and their colleagues are paid by the figure. “Sometimes, we are told: ‘Ah, that will give you a Christmas bonus’…”, they relate. “My role is to verbalize but we are also there to inform people! » adds Sonia.

The ASVPs are also responsible for issuing authorizations for moves, works, etc. “From time to time, we also have to check the cleanliness of the toilets,” adds Marie. Touring the parking meters is also part of their responsibilities.

Employed by the town hall, Sonia, Marie and their three colleagues are category C agents. To practice, a clean criminal record is required. With 14 years of practice, Sonia is now the oldest.

7.5 million euros each year in municipal coffers

Over the years, she has noticed a decline in the number of unpaid parking lots. Several factors, according to her, could have played a role: “The possibility of paying by credit card, subscriptions at €15 or €20 per month,” she lists. A phenomenon confirmed by the mayor of Colmar, Eric Straumann.