Too Much Illegal Parking Downtown

This morning, Transportation Alternatives released its study that shows way too much illegal parking in Chinatown and in that "Civic Center" area of town where the police headquarters and courts are. From the TA press release:

The survey found that between 9 and 10 am on the morning of March 29 there were 99 cars illegally parked on sidewalks and in front of fire hydrants in the area and 16 cars illegally parked blocking a pedestrian refuge island. More than 90% of the cars illegally parked had parking placards that allow for free parking in legal parking spots during "official business," but under no circumstances are to be used to park on sidewalks, in front of fire hydrants or in other illegal ways.

Now, it's bad enough that there's already barely anywhere to walk or drive anywhere in Chinatown - but cars parking on sidewalks? That's crazy! The Rev. Raymond Nobiletti of the Church of Transfiguration told the Daily News that many cars with city placards park in front of the church, "It's a problem when we have funerals. There's nothing like carrying a coffin over a double-parked car." Oy vey. Double parking in Chinatown is almost like a way of life - and it's a personal pet peeve of Gothamist's (we spent many childhood hours double parked in a car on Mott or Elizabeth Streets while our parents went grocery shopping as we feared the police would arrest us for double parking and toss us into The Tombs). We're not sure anything would solve it except cheaper parking facilities, but getting illegally parked cars out of the would be a start.

Read the PDF of Transportation Alternatives' study, which includes mention of their volunteers getting harrassed by the police for taking pictures. We asked the Museum of the Chinese in the America' William Dao for the best shortcut in Chinatown and he suggested any street parallel to Canal. And the Mayor took away the lights and sirens from city employees' city cars when one of his deputy mayors abused them (she was trying to get to work faster).

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on April 26, 2006 3:11 PM

Comments [rss]

N. DiCastro

Do you notice how illegal parking is tolerated outside of pizza places, particularly in certain [Italian] outer borough neighborhoods? This is more of a problem in areas where there are young Italian men hanging around for hours (all day long) in front of the pizza places, obviously not even consuming anything from the pizza places.

The NYPD even tolerates parking at fire hydrants near the pizza establishments.

Calling 311 or the police doesn't work. People double parking never get ticketed; there must be some agreement between the police and the pizza shops.

Maybe the police officers are afraid of the mafia revenge from the pizza places if they dare to ticket double-parked, sidewalk blocking cars.

Obviously the pizza places and their customers are above the law.

Guy

Exactly, if parking is so expensive for city workers that they have to do it illegally at the inconvenience of everyone else AND put the entire community in danger by blocking fire hydrants, then take mass transit like the rest of us!

Who watches the watchers?

mike

Cheaper parking would make the situation worse, by only further incentivizing driving.

The solutions are simple:

* Short-term: Enforce the law! Ticket and/or tow their cars.

* Medium-term: End the free parking perks.

* Long-term: Congestion pricing.

reader

Unless for offical business or emergencies, they ought to pay for parking like everyone else.

rev pays

I haven't been in Chinatown in years.

Looks like the parking has gotten worse and it's by city officials.

Channel eleven just did a piece showing city cars parking on the sidewalk of Mosco St. and in the streets away from the 5th Pct. Taking up precious legal metered parking spots.

What about the bums shaking you down for parking at the municipal lot across from Criminal Court?