The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office is about to get tough with parking scofflaws on Christopher Road in front of Whitewater Middle School.

Although signs are up warning motorists that parking is not allowed at any time, “they are obviously ignored,” said Sheriff Randall Johnson.

Vehicles parking on Christopher Road can make it impossible for fire trucks and ambulances to get to the school and the nearby Woods subdivision, Johnson noted.

Starting immediately, deputies will impound any vehicle parking on Christopher Drive, and the operator will be cited where appropriate, Johnson said.

There will be no grace period for this enforcement measure, Johnson indicated.

The Fayette County Board of Education has built a bus loop to create more room for parking so vehicles don’t need to be parked on Christopher Road, Johnson said. The problem is exacerbated when there is a special event at the school, Johnson said.