Daytona Beach, FL - They may look like parking meters, but the city says there's a big difference.
"The difference is this meter is for our new homeless donation meter program," says Dr. L. Ronald Durham, City Relations Manager for Daytona Beach.
These devices were unveiled last Thursday on the city's Facebook page with Durham demonstrating the capabilities of the meters.
So far one meter is in operation, in front of Breakers Oceanfront Park near the Daytona Boardwalk, and residents and tourists will be able to pick it out thanks to its bright orange paint.
And, according to Durham, they're looking to install more.
"We made a presentation to the Chamber of Commerce last week," said Durham. "And in that presentation we asked if there would be any other businesses interested in having one of the meters in front of their business."
Durham also said the plan is to place the meters in high traffic areas. He said he's already spoken to representatives from the International Speedway Corporation and NASCAR to discuss the possibility of installing a meter at the Daytona International Speedway.
Other high traffic areas the city is trying for, according to Durham, is the Tomoka Town Center which includes the Tanger Outlets and the new Dave & Busters that's slated to open on March 11th.
One question residents might have is where the meters came from or how much did it cost the city. But, Durham said that the city didn't pay a dime for the meters.
In fact, a corporation known as IPS out of San Diego, California consented to donate the meters to the city.
Each meter accepts both coins and cards (Master Card or Visa), but not paper money.
As for where the money goes, the city does collect the money, but the proceeds are split between the First Step Shelter, the Hope Place shelter, the Halifax Urban Ministries and Daytona's homeless travel program.
