Walking alone downtown at night no longer feels safe for me. I'm a young woman who used to feel comfortable walking just a block to my apartment, but now, as the city continues to take away free parking for residents, I'm pushed further away from home, making me feel anxious and vulnerable after dark. I know I'm not alone in this concern. Other women and parents with young children likely share this experience, adding to the growing unease about living downtown.

Over the past three years, the City of Covington, KY has consistently reduced the availability of free parking for residents, replacing these spaces with costly parking meters. This decision places a financial burden on those of us who live and work downtown, contrary to fostering a community that's both appealing and affordable. The existing monthly parking options are prohibitively expensive, leaving many residents with little choice but to park further away from their homes or at locations where meters have been newly installed.

Downtown Covington is a vibrant community. However, continuing to implement policies that prioritize revenue over residents threatens the very fabric that makes our neighborhood unique and appealing. While there is residential parking available in parts of the city, these should be expanded to areas impacted by new meter installations. By doing so, downtown Covington can maintain its charm and ensure safety and accessibility for its residents.

We call on the city officials to reassess their current parking strategies, taking into consideration the financial and personal safety concerns of its residents. We propose a realistic expansion of residential parking zones to cover more neighborhoods downtown, particularly the areas that have seen the addition of new parking meters.

Support this petition to urge the Covington city planners and officials to value and support its residents by making downtown a more livable and safe space for all. Sign this petition to help make a change!