Intentionally Disabled Parking Meters Irk Businesses, Officials

"They are easily broken and enforcement is extremely irregular," he said. "I got in front of my office at New York Avenue Presbyterian Church a meter that is constantly failing."

According to Lynch, inspections by the Downtown Cluster of Congregations, a group that focuses on community service and civic issues, have found that in some areas, 30 percent to 50 percent of the meters have been broken or defaced. For example, almost 40 percent of the meters along a stretch of H Street NE were vandalized at the time of inspection, although the city has since repaired them, according to e-mail correspondence between Marsili and the Downtown Cluster of Congregations.

The city is now placing decals that are easier to read on meters, Rice said. The decals display a phone number to call for service, the meter number and the correct time limit, he added. Workers also are replacing windows on the meters that are dirty or broken.

The changes have made a difference, said Kevin Powers, owner of Carbon, a clothing and furniture store at 1203 U St. NW. The meter in front of his store was chronically broken until the city fixed it a few weeks ago. "When a meter goes into fail status, it creates ambiguity for the customer," he said, because customers are not sure if they can park at a broken meter.

There's also ambiguity when meters and parking signs conflict. In front of Akopov's store, the parking signs declare a 30-minute limit, while the time limit posted in the meter domes is two hours. Furthermore, one parking sign is twisted, making it virtually unreadable when driving up the street.

Two of 15 meters observed near his store are jammed. All the meters have new decals displaying their identification number and a hotline telephone number to report problems.

Since April, police have arrested at least 16 meter jammers, "from State Department employees to shop owners to students," according to a June 16 e-mail from Marsili to Lynch. The punishments ranged from community service to 10 days of suspended jail time and a fine of $250. Some cases were dismissed.

At least two surveillance and sting operations took place, one around the State Department and another near Howard University, according to Officer Junis Fletcher, spokesman for the Metropolitan Police Department. Meter destruction can result in theft charges and in a misdemeanor charge of destruction of government property, which can carry a maximum penalty of 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine, Phillips said.