Paston delivers a “thank you” letter (Photo by: George Liu/NWAW)
Aaron Paston (Photo by: George Liu/NWAW)
By Assunta Ng
Northwest Asian Weekly
If case you don’t know, the friendly and personable parking enforcement officer Aaron Paston who has worked in the Chinatown/International District ID for 10 years, has now been assigned to a new neighborhood.
The Seattle Police Department transfers their officers all the time. So what’s so special about the guy who gives out parking violation citations which makes so many people mad?
Paston expressed remorse when he was told that his next assignment would be in Belltown. To prepare for this new move, he hand-delivered close to 50 thank-you letters in envelopes to say good-bye to several community members in August.
Paston’s letter read: “It has been a great honor to serve your community. Thank you for the partnership, friendship, and courtesy you extended to me and especially for me such warm welcomes back after my shoulder surgeries.”
Paston fell during one of his patrol duties in the ID, stepping on a slippery site, and hurt his shoulder.
For those who assume that a parking enforcement officer’s purpose in merely giving out tickets to show that they “gotch you,” is inaccurate.
His letter said, “I worked hard to ensure the turnover of vehicles, keep the delivery zones clear and maintain safety of the pedestrians. Thank you for letting me know you appreciated the way I did my job.”
It’s not only the ID food that he will miss in the community. The letter said, “I will miss the friends I’ve made, fun conversations we’ve had and sharing of everyday life.”
Paston left on Sept. 1. He said he plans to come back to visit and hopes that he will even transfer back someday. (end)