EasyPark Reports Over $450,000 Loss Due to Parking Meter Theft in Downtown Anchorage

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – EasyPark invested nearly $1.5 million in 2025 to acquire 1,500 new parking meters for downtown Anchorage, as stated by Mike Robbins, Director of the Anchorage Community Development Authority. However, since January, 480 of these meters have been either stolen or damaged by criminals aiming to access the coins within.

Initially, the thefts seemed to correlate with a TikTok trend that demonstrated how to remove the covers of meters to steal from the coinboxes. Despite EasyPark reinforcing the meters with sturdier locks, thieves escalated their tactics, removing entire meters using tools such as saws and sledgehammers or even pulling them out with vehicles. Robbins expressed confusion over the situation, noting that typical meters hold minimal cash due to the prevalence of credit card payments, potentially containing only around $30 at most. Since the start of the year, the agency has expended over $450,000 on repairs and replacements. To combat this issue, EasyPark plans to propose changes to city codes, eliminating the need for meters to accept coins. Robbins believes that most users would not be affected, as various payment options are available.