The Paris Police Department has appointed Officer Jimmy Newman to the position of Downtown Officer. While this position is not new, it has not been consistently staffed in recent years due to staffing shortages.
The Downtown Officer’s primary focus is safety, community presence, and communication in the downtown area. Officer Newman will serve as a visible and approachable resource for patrons and visitors of Downtown Paris while also acting as a liaison between the downtown community and the City.
As part of routine patrol responsibilities downtown, Officer Newman will also address parking issues when observed. With this position now filled, residents and visitors may notice more enforcement of existing two-hour parking regulations, which have been in place since metered parking was removed.
Meet Downtown Officer Jimmy Newman
Officer Jimmy Newman, Downtown Officer – Paris Police Department
Officer Jimmy Newman has been with the Paris Police Department for nearly two years. Before joining PPD, he served as a firefighter and reserve officer for the Town of Dover and owned several small businesses.
As Downtown Officer, his focus is safety, community presence, and communication. “The most important part of this role is being a liaison between downtown businesses and the City, while also being a helpful law enforcement presence for everyone visiting downtown,” Newman said.
He plans to stay active downtown and connect with business owners. “I want to be a regular presence, get to know business owners, and be available when questions or issues come up,” he said.
Outside of work, Officer Newman enjoys spending time with his children and being outdoors, especially traveling, hiking, and discovering new places and activities.
Downtown Parking Overview
Two-hour parking restrictions apply only to spaces in areas marked with “Two Hour Parking” signage and is enforced Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The time limit does not apply on weekends or designated holidays.
If a parking ticket is issued while someone is attending court, serving jury duty, or appearing as a subpoenaed witness, the ticket may be reviewed and voided. Individuals may bring their court paperwork showing the date to the Police Records Office, where staff can review the documentation and waive the parking fee if applicable.
These regulations help encourage turnover in high-demand areas so customers, visitors, and residents have fair access to downtown businesses, restaurants, and services. Parking enforcement is not the primary responsibility of the Downtown Officer, but it will be a part of routine patrol duties during posted enforcement hours.
Free Municipal Parking Near Downtown
For those who plan to remain downtown for longer than two hours, the City of Paris offers multiple free, city-owned parking lots located within walking distance of downtown. These municipal lots have no time limits and are a convenient option for longer appointments, workdays, or extended visits.
(Municipal Parking lots highlighted in green)
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I need to park longer than two hours?
If you know you’ll be downtown for more than two hours, we recommend using one of the free city-owned municipal parking lots, which have no time limits.
How does the officer know which cars have been parked longer than two hours?
Parking time limits are monitored by patrol. When an officer drives through the downtown area, a short video or documentation of parked vehicles is recorded. During a later pass, that information is compared to determine whether a vehicle has remained in the same space beyond the two-hour limit. Officers do not mark or touch vehicles to track parking time.
Why are parking rules being enforced more often now?
The parking rules and the Downtown Officer position are not new and have not changed. In recent years, the Police Department experienced staffing shortages that affected how often enforcement could occur. Now that the Downtown Officer position is staffed, there is a more consistent police presence downtown, which may make parking enforcement more noticeable as part of routine patrol duties.
What if I receive a parking ticket while attending court?
If you receive a parking ticket while attending court, serving jury duty, or appearing as a subpoenaed witness, you may bring your court paperwork showing the date to the Police Records Office, where staff can review the documentation and waive the parking fee if applicable.
What if I want to dispute a ticket for another reason?
Anyone may bring their ticket to City Court to dispute it or explain the circumstances. City Court is held at City Hall on the first and third Thursdays of each month.
Contact Information
Paris Police Department: 731-642-2424
City Hall: 731-641-1402
City Court: 731-641-1471