Skip to content

Simcha Felder Defends Parking Violators From Enforcement “Vultures”

In this clip from NY1's "Road to City Hall," City Council member Simcha Felder defends his proposal to give drivers a five-minute "grace period" before they can be ticketed for overstaying the time limit at parking spots. Taking the law-and-order view is Transportation Alternatives director Paul White, who points out that codifying parking ticket excuses will simply sow confusion about what constitutes a violation.

In this clip from NY1’s “Road to City Hall,” City Council member Simcha Felder defends his proposal to give drivers a five-minute “grace period” before they can be ticketed for overstaying the time limit at parking spots. Taking the law-and-order view is Transportation Alternatives director Paul White, who points out that codifying parking ticket excuses will simply sow confusion about what constitutes a violation.

Felder appears unconcerned that his bill will clog up streets with even more double-parked vehicles and drivers cruising for spots. What’s most discouraging, perhaps, is his repeated reference to parking agents as “vultures.” Given the violence and aggression that parking agents already contend with, you would hope that elected officials would refrain from heaping derision upon these all-too-convenient targets.

Photo of Ben Fried
Ben Fried started as a Streetsblog reporter in 2008 and led the site as editor-in-chief from 2010 to 2018. He lives in Ditmas Park, Brooklyn, with his wife.

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

Eyes on the Street: Mamdani’s Broadway Bus Lane is a Hit Among LaGuardia Commuters

July 16, 2026

House Dems Push For High-Speed Rail Investment Amid GOP Highway Feeding Frenzy

July 16, 2026

Thursday’s Headlines: Boogie Down Busway Edition

July 16, 2026

Fewer Cars On Queensboro Bridge Means It’s Time To Take A Lane For Increasing Cyclists

July 15, 2026

Pedestrian Fatalities Drop Again, But More Needs To Be Done, Says Governors Group

July 15, 2026
See all posts