By Greg Forester, Staff Writer
Jon Hughes
Age: 59
Traffic Enforcement Officer
Princeton Borough
How did you get into this job?
I used to work in the meter department, and I found out about an opening in the Police Department for a parking enforcement position. Besides working in the meter department, I had previously worked as a captain for the Mercer County Department of Public Safety. After taking the job, I had to learn the borough ordinances, because that is the majority of what we have to enforce working as a parking enforcement officer. I understood the meters already, having worked for the meter department before entering parking enforcement.
Describe a typical day in your job?
Well, we mainly go around the Borough of Princeton, in the enforcement vehicle, checking all of the prohibition zones. Meter enforcement is part of that. Trust me, my name has been called many different variations of words while working. It’s a natural part of the job to deal with the public, and I enjoy dealing with them each day.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I like dealing with the public, which is something I have had to do in most of my employment for most of my life. It has usually been a pretty congenial relationship with people parking their cars in Princeton. After working different shifts at all hours while working in law enforcement, I really enjoy the regular schedule I work in parking enforcement. It’s nice to work daily shifts, after having to work a mixed bag of shifts in the past.
What do you enjoy least?
Nothing. There is heat in my vehicle.
What is the key to success in your job?
In parking enforcement, you have to always strive to be fair and consistent with enforcing the ordinances of the borough. You have to give out tickets, but you do have some discretion, like in law enforcement, with how you give out tickets to cars parked in the borough. For instance, if someone is back at their car and the car is parked in violation, you have some discretion with giving them a ticket.

