The New York Trucking & Delivery Association (and their website, which seems to be brought to you by Geocities) has filed a class-action lawsuit against the city, claiming traffic agents issued many delivery trucks illegal tickets for double parking to plug a budget gap. "The scheme was accomplished through systematic and knowing issuance of illegal parking tickets," the suit claims, and they say the blitz started after the city revised budget projections calling for more revenue from parking tickets. more ›

Three City Council members are pushing a bill that would permit double parking under certain circumstances. Parking tickets have boomed citywide during the Bloomberg administration, and Councilman Vincent Gentile of Bay Ridge says "common sense has gone out the window in terms of the [ticket] agents." In 2008, 64-year-old Leo Magnotta suffered a heart attack while arguing with traffic cops as they wrote him a ticket for double-parking in the Bronx. (He had been waiting in the car for his wife outside a Subway sandwich shop.) more ›

Remember back when (almost) everyone was in the holiday spirit and poor 'ol Saint Nick got a ticket for double parking? And then he fought that ticket because everyone knows there really is no Santa Claus? Well, he lost the fight. Santa, real-life retired school teacher Chip Cafiero, says he got word of the crushing defeat on Friday. Last November the 60-year-old had double parked to hand out gifts from a horse-drawn carriage (uh oh) at a Marty Markowitz-sponsored event. He says the city can take his $115, but they'll never take his Christmas spirit (and they're totally going on the Naughty List). more ›

The double-parking Santa who got a big 'ol ticket as an early Christmas present is speaking out! The Daily News reports that "he appreciates the outpouring of support, but he won't accept any charity to pay the $115 fine." He doesn't, however, want to pay it himself either. Commonly known as Chip Cafiero, he says he is "very appreciative to hear that so many people want to help him out, but as a matter of principle, we have to fight this ticket." Allegedly he'd like to prove a point about parking in the area; "These meter maids are harassing our small businesses in Bay Ridge, and it is time that we make a stand and fight for what's right. All those people who wanted to help Santa may be getting something a little extra special under the tree this year." Cafiero was dressed as Claus to hand out gifts to children when he was ticketed—so many, including Marty Markowitz, have rallied to support him. more ›

Santa may be able to fly fast through the sky, but when it comes to parking he's got to follow the law like the rest of us civilians. The Daily News reports that one Santa (The Santa?) double-parked his sleigh SUV on Third Avenue in Bay Ridge, and "neighbors and politicians demanded the summons be quashed." But James Huntley, "who heads Local 1182, defended the agent who slapped a ticket on Chip Cafiero's SUV." He also added that seeing the driver in a Santa suit wouldn't have changed the law, and notes that calling the agent a Grinch or Scrooge isn't going to make matters better (is that a threat?). Marty Markowitz, whose office sponsored the event that Santa was at, said "It's the holidays. In these situations, there should be a combination of common sense and holiday spirit instead of humbug." Free double-parking at Brooklyn Borough Hall for everyone in a Santa hat! more ›

Early yesterday, Clarence Jones was arrested for allegedly driving off when police officers were attempting to issue a summons for parking in front of a bus stop. However, some Harlem residents and a lawmaker wonder if the NYPD is trying to get back at Jones, because he is one of the people who complained after seeing an unmarked police car with a black doll's head on the antenna. The NYPD, though, said the officers had no idea Jones was connected to that complaint; per the NY Times, "Police officials said that the officers pursued Mr. Jones to 116th Street and Fifth Avenue, where, they said, he left the car and became loud and boisterous, trying to film them with his cellphone." Jones was released without bail. more ›