MECHANICVILLE — Some of the drivers caught parking illegally in Mechanicville today weren’t even born the last time parking fines were increased.

The City Council is expected to authorize the doubling of parking ticket fines tonight in an effort to reduce the number of violations and ease congestion on narrow city streets.

The fines would be changed for the first time in more than 25 years if the council approves the increase.

“We’re out of touch with time,” Police Chief Joseph Waldron said. “People will start to comply when you start to hit their wallet. We’ve said this before. You get compliance through enforcement.”

Typical parking tickets for parking illegally, blocking driveways or parking on city streets during snow emergencies would increase from $10 to $20 under the proposal.

Fire lane violations would go up to $50 and handicapped parking violations would increase from $50 to $100.

Waldron said he didn’t ask for the increase as a way to raise money but wanted to discourage people from breaking the law.

“We want to strengthen the rules, because, for that little bit, they don’t have the incentive to come in and pay,” Waldron said. “A lot of people aren’t getting the message.”

Mayor Anthony Sylvester said one of the worst spots in the city for illegal parking is on the lower end of Park Avenue between Central Avenue and Main Street.

“If I’m around and I see someone parked too far on the corner, I call [the police],” he said. “They take care of it.”

Sylvester said he thought the increase was a good idea.

Accounts Commissioner Mark Seber said he is also in favor of the increase and that he hopes it would decrease the number of violations in the long term.

Police will order new parking tickets if the council agrees to the increase, Waldron said.

The new tickets would be larger with simple instructions and include an envelope to mail in the fines, he said.

The increase would be effective as soon as police start using the new tickets, which would take about a month, Waldron said.

“We’re just revamping the whole entire parking ticket,” Waldron said. “When you get a ticket you’re going to know exactly what you need to do.”

David Petronis, the owner of a gun shop next to City Hall, said that he wants to see painted lines on streets so people know where to park.

“Of course, it’s going to take a few extra dollars to do some paint and maybe some extra labor,” he said. “They’re not clearly represented parking spots.”

Petronis added that parking spot organization was more important to him than increasing fines.

“You’re going to get a harder slap on the wrist when it’s doubled. Is that going to make you think about not parking there?” he asked, then answered. “I don’t know.”

Police recently sent out letters to people who have unpaid parking tickets.

Waldron said that there were 571 unpaid tickets at the beginning of the year but 50 people have since paid their fines. The worst offender has $440 in outstanding parking fines, he said.

The city raises about $2,500 per year from about 350 tickets. There are no parking meters in Mechanicville.

The council will consider the proposed increase tonight during its meeting at 7 p.m. at the senior center on Main Street.