Parking violators get a shot at redemption

Drivers who owe parking fines in Cedar Rapids got a chance to redeem themselves by doing a good deed on Thursday.

Park Cedar Rapids offered a “citation forgiveness” blood drive at the parking offices on Thursday. Donors could get up to $25 worth of parking tickets wiped out by giving blood.

Organizers say they do this twice a year and it’s one of the more popular parking system promotions.

And it was certainly a hit with Tina Laduza who wiped out more than half of what she owes the parking system.

“I have one $25 dollar ticket and two tens. So I’ll get the 25 wiped out today and I’ll just pay the two tens later,” she said.

Nearly all the appointment times for the dismissed ticket blood driver were taken.

Violators who want another shot at forgiveness can plan for the next Park Cedar Rapids blood drive event on August 17th.