Skip to content

Internal Affairs Crackdown Nets Placard Abusers

They're summonsing their own, and then some.

orig_7060.jpegThey’re summonsing their own, and then some.

The Post reports that NYPD Internal Affairs launched a sweep last week against illegally parked placarded vehicles and fake parking permits, resulting in 178 tickets, nearly two dozen towed vehicles and the arrest of one retired officer. The operation targeted Lower Manhattan and “government and courthouse hubs” in other boroughs.

The four-day crackdown – from Tuesday, April 1, through Friday – was prompted by constant complaints from motorists and pedestrians that cars abusing their placard privileges were double-parking or using spots where they were not permitted and clogging streets.

Forty-eight of the ticketed cars belonged to the NYPD, with cops abusing either their personal placards or precinct permits. Six cop cars were towed.

The FDNY was also hit in the blitz. Three of its cars with “official” placards were ticketed. Another four FDNY cars, bearing “union” placards, were ticketed, and one of those was towed.

Six tickets were written to cars belonging to the city’s Department of Transportation, which, ironically, along with the NYPD, has been placed in charge of the mayor’s overhaul of the city’s sprawling placard problem.

Eighteen vehicles baring state placards were ticketed, with three towed.

The feds were also hammered – 21 of their cars were hit with summonses, with four towed.

According to a source quoted in the story, the city is “giving agencies a really hard time” about permit renewals, thanks to Mayor Bloomberg’s directive to cut down on placard issues.

Photo: Uncivil Servants

Photo of Brad Aaron
Brad Aaron began writing for Streetsblog in 2007, after years as a reporter, editor, and publisher in the alternative weekly business. Brad adopted New York'’s dysfunctional traffic justice system as his primary beat for Streetsblog. He lives in Manhattan.

Streetsblog has migrated to a new comment system. New commenters can register directly in the comments section of any article. Returning commenters: your previous comments and display name have been preserved, but you'll need to reclaim your account by clicking "Forgot your password?" on the sign-in form, entering your email, and following the verification link to set a new password — this is required because passwords could not be carried over during the migration. For questions, contact tips@streetsblog.org.

More from Streetsblog New York City

Department of Trucks: Brooklynites Beg for Relief on Third Ave. as Safety Redesign Stalls

June 12, 2026

OPINION: G Train Riders Deserve Better Buses During Ongoing Shutdowns

June 12, 2026

Friday Video: What Happens When World Cup Fans Come to America

June 12, 2026

Friday’s Headlines: Kids on Bikes Edition

June 12, 2026

Goooooallllll! Mamdani Releases Full Watch Party List As World Cup Kicks Off Today

June 11, 2026
See all posts