Tag Archives for: APA

The Allentown Parking Authority (APA) Contracts with CodeRED to Provide Emergency Notification Services

June 04, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

The Allentown Parking Authority (APA) Contracts with CodeRED to Provide Emergency Notification Services

 

 

 

ALLENTOWN PARKING AUTHORITY, Allentown, PA   – Following a thorough evaluation and review of alerting systems, The APA has implemented CodeRED, a high-speed emergency mass notification service provided by Ormond Beach, FL-based OnSolve, LLC.

 

 

The CodeRED system will serve as the backbone of the APA’s emergency planning and communications outreach to both citizens and staff. The system sends mobile device text messages and posts to social media channels, to inform residents, workforce and visitors of up-to-the-minute information on parking enforcement and city-wide emergencies, traffic closures, and possible hazards, to better the total Allentown experience.  CodeRED was selected for its reliability and accuracy, as well as the system’s widespread adoption rates across the U.S.

 

“CodeRED’s robust notification system will provide The APA officials with a reliable, easy-to-use interface to quickly deliver critical information to our citizens during emergencies.  “We are eager to use this innovative technology to enhance our communication to our clients and for emergency preparedness plans,” said Executive Director John Morgan.  “We anticipate using the system to notify residents, the workforce and visitors about parking information and city emergencies.”

 

OnSolve has provided The Allentown Parking Authority an initial database of residential and business telephone numbers; however all residents living within Allentown city limits are encouraged to visit www.allentownparking.com and click on the CodeRED logo to enroll their contact information including cell phone numbers and text addresses. No one should automatically assume they are in the emergency contact database.

 

Public safety officials across the United States have credited CodeRED notifications for successfully locating missing children, apprehending wanted criminals and issuing timely evacuations.  

 

Allentown Parking Authority, APA celebrated International Parking Day

October 05, 2018

 

 

Allentown Parking Authority, APA celebrated International Parking Day

 

 

 

International Park(ing) Day is an annual tradition of turning parking spaces into actual parks.  It is a vivid showcase of alternative uses for public space, traditionally used by automobiles.  It is a day for citizens to become involved, take ownership of their city and change it for the better.  The celebration treats metered parking spots as a short-term lease for a plot of precious urban real estate.

 

 

September 21, 2018 was INTERNATIONAL PARKING DAY and the Allentown Parking Authority (APA), in Allentown, PA celebrated with their local community!  City Center Allentown sponsored the fun event this year, which took place directly in front of the APA’s office building on the corner of N. 6thStreet and Linden Street.

 

 

 

This year, the APA chose to incorporate Int’l Parking Day with a month-long donation drive, which benefitted two local agencies in need of food and household items; The Sixth Street Shelter and the Allentown Area Ecumenical Food Bank.

 

Through Social Media outlets, their organization’s website, as well as radio advertising, the APA reached out to the community for their help with donating items.  On Friday, September 21st, the APA presented both local agencies with an abundance of collected items.

 

In concert with the donation process, each donor was given a raffle ticket and a free MobileNow! parking voucher.  On Int’l Parking Day, the APA drew raffle winners and awarded the winners with various prizes donated by Allentown’s local businesses.

In the early morning hours of International Parking Day, the APA’s Executive Director, John Morgan, and his staff, went to work on creating a welcoming, beautiful, park-like setting to host the day’s festivities.  By 11:00 am, the 3 metered parking spaces transitioned into a gathering place that offered food, drinks and fun!  The Allentown Parking Authority’s city park area boasted grass, trees, flowers, park benches, fountains and as all great parks have, a hot dog cart!

 

The local television station, WFMZ-TV 69 News, was on scene to cover the day’s event, as well as the local radio station, 99.9FM The Hawk, providing a 3-hour, onsite live music broadcast with games and prizes. Allentown’s Interim-Mayor, the Honorable Ray O’Connell, was present to deliver a Proclamation to the gathered public, announcing the history of International Parking Day and what it means to the City of Allentown.   State Representative Michael Schlossberg stopped by to chat with residents and take part in the celebration.

 

Executive Director John Morgan stated, “This year’s event was amazing!  We wanted to do something special for our community and we were excited to incorporate this fun event with something meaningful and deserving of our efforts. The two local agencies neighbor our office and we were delighted with the donations we were able to collect for both.”

 

The Allentown Parking Authority is looking forward to making 2019’s International Parking Day just as exciting, if not more!!