There are 28 lifeguard stations along the seawall and no designated parking spots for those who work here. But city officials say they have just reached an agreement with the beach patrol that both sides say they're happy with.
City council members have decided that since beach patrol officers don't drive to their emergencies, they don't need their own parking spots.
Of course, officers didn't want to pay parking fees and some voiced concerns they would even be able to make it to work in time without their own spots.
So as a compromise, the parks board has decided to buy $25 annual passes for those lifeguards. That allows lifeguards to park there for free but they still have to find their own spots.
"This is not going to hamper emergency operations or the public safety in any way. This is their privately owned vehicles, and lifeguards don't patrol in their privately owned vehicles. This is their mode of transportation to and from work," Galveston Police Chief Henry Peretto said.
The next few months are a trial period. Both the police chief and the head of the parks department say this could all change if they find it doesn't work.
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