FARGO (AP) - A private security firm hired to crack down on illegal parking near the North Dakota State University campus has issued 669 tickets in the first month.

At $15 a ticket, that means more than $10,000. The money pays for the cost of the officer who patrols the area at a rate of $18.75 per hour.

The city of Fargo hired General Security Services Inc. to patrol the areas near campus.

Fargo Police Sgt. Mike Mitchell says tickets have been issued for parking too close to intersections or fire hydrants, encroaching on driveways or violating time zone restrictions.

And some residents who wanted stronger enforcement have found tickets on their own vehicles.

Sandy Holbrook said her husband, Rick, got a ticket for parking too close to a fire hydrant. She says the security firm is "on the ball."