Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In

dont_park.jpg
There are 255,794 vehicles registered in Staten Island, and as the borough's population has taken off in the last few years, some of the local parking customs have become increasingly strained. A story published Monday in the Staten Island Advance illuminates just how entitled the people of that borough still feel to free parking -- not just on their own blocks, but directly in front of their homes. It tells the story of an anonymous Great Kills resident who, when a neighbor parked in front of his house, left the following note on the windshield:

"We have five vehicles in our family and would greatly appreciate being able to park in front of our own house," the letter writer stated. "We use both driveway spots as well as the entire front of the house so please be courteous and park in front of your own house. We are tired of getting tickets for double parking."

The argument didn't wash with the person who got the note:

"To the owner of the house," the neighbor replied on the back of the note left on his windshield, "This is not a block that you can tell people not to park in front of your house. A lot of people have more than one car. But sometimes we need to park in those spaces. I know it's hard but you do not own the street..... If you feel this way, maybe you should move upstate."

Learning to live with fewer than five cars in one family would apparently be too radical a suggestion.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Why No BRT For NYC? Two New Reports Tackle Why Your Bus Service Sucks

Years of bus priority projects barely made a dent in speeds because Big Apple leaders won't install real bus rapid transit, two recent reports argue.

July 11, 2025

Citi Bike Riders Are Pissed About Eric Adams’s 15 MPH Speed Limit

Citi Bike's new 15 mph max speed limit is a bad deal for riders and a potential threat to safety, riders said.

July 11, 2025

Friday Video: Cyclists, Check Out Your Next City

Streetfilms' Clarence Eckerson visited London earlier this summer to check in on the Big Smoke's cycling revolution.

July 11, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: Just the News Edition

We've got one more workday before we can hit the beach. Plus the news.

July 11, 2025

Council To Close Instacart Loophole, Pass Delivery Industry Regulation Bills

The City Council will vote on Monday the "Instacart loophole" and force all app companies to pay workers a minimum wage.

July 10, 2025

‘Blood On His Hands’: Cyclists Slam Eric Adams After Judge Lets Him Remove Brooklyn Bike Lane

Mayor Adams will have “blood on his hands” for his decision to rip up three blocks of the popular protected bike lane.

July 10, 2025
See all posts