FIRST ON 3: Hinnant in trouble again; WDI’s “Park(ing) Day” shut down by cops

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) – John Hinnant’s Wilmington Downtown, Inc, planned to highlight the lack of green space downtown this morning by plugging a parking meter and decorating the space as a mini-park.

Not so fast said the parking manager from Park Wilmington. Parking spaces are for cars, not for people, he told Hinnant. And after six police officers pulled up, the parking manager gave Hinnant 5 minutes to pack up or be arrested.

The slot quickly turned back into a parking space. Hinnant told Ramon that he was warned this might happen, but he was able to get his message out anyway.

Hinnant was in some hot water earlier this year when he was caught charging groceries and cigars on the WDI credit card. The City of Wilmington helps fund WDI.

See how it all went down later on WWAY NewsChannel 3 at 5.