UNDATED (CNN) -- Due to budget problems, the California city of Davis is transferring three full-time meter maids to other duties for the city. the city is hoping to train volunteers to pick up the slack and issue tickets.

A parking problem that's switching into high gear, with a cash crunch, the city of Davis just can't afford to pay for more parking enforcement.

Sherrie Cole, the city's sole parking enforcer, has seen and heard it all. She says, "I've had 'em come running up...they've started crying; I've heard every excuse there is. Some pretty foul. Hate names even, it gets pretty ugly."

Eighteen-thousand tickets were issued in 2010 and police believe there may be many more to bust. Lt. Paul Doroshov says, "We see a lot of abandoned cars it's a big issue here in Davis unfortunately because of some of the budget cuts we're not able to get some of those."

The city of Davis is hoping to get those cars rolling by making volunteers a driving force; a creative means of taking care of cop work.

So who would be willing to do that for no compensation? Davis already has about 50 volunteers in other departments, now they can add parking to their public service. Resident Kathy Burns says, "I hope somebody comes and takes it before it gets anymore tickets on it."

One car has been at Doris Hass' house for a week collecting several days of citations. Cole says, "We get complaints about driveways can't get out of 'em and handicaps a huge one."

And at least, Cole won't be getting the brunt of the backlash all by herself. She says, "Please be nice to us. We're just doing our job."