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

NYPD to NYPD: Stop Breaking Parking Laws!

Maybe they’ll stop. Maybe.

Reminder to NYPD officers: All that illegal and unsafe parking you're doing is illegal and unsafe.

That's the point behind an "administrative information" memo that went out to all cops on Tuesday, reiterating that "absent 'urgent or necessary police action,' there is no valid verifiable defense for parking any vehicle operated by a member of the service, on or off duty, with or without a department-issued parking permit" in bus stops, bike lanes, crosswalks, fire zones, no standing areas and other areas where it is obviously illegal and unsafe to park.

https://twitter.com/NYScanner/status/1346611522534072320

The memo was greeted with guffaws on social media, where advocates for safe streets have long pointed out that cops are well aware that they are not allowed to park in such areas, yet do so regularly. And they do so with impunity, given that the NYPD has consistently not punished repeat offenders, as Streetsblog reported last year.

In addition, Mayor de Blasio's budget cuts this year eliminated two units that were in charge of going after placard abusers.

"We expect this will go down the same way that it always does," the keeper of the seminal Placard Abuse Twitter account told Streetsblog on Wednesday morning.

Plenty of people on Twitter agreed out that it's unlikely anything will change, given how NYPD officers have institutionalized their dangerous and illegal behavior and are almost never punished (the mayor doesn't even crack down on cops who have more than a dozen speeding tickets on their personal vehicles):

"lmao how about every square block around a precinct in brooklyn where theres no sidewalk anymore," added @ResSipsa on Twitter.

And an Upper West Sider, Ryan Frank, added, "@NYPD20Pct, please stop parking in the turn lane on Columbus and 81st. You guys have allocated space for parking. Turn lanes are not for you to park your personal vehicles. Doing so blocks the view of the bike lane and creates a safety hazard."

The NYPD did not respond to an email seeking comment about the memo.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

The Year-End Appeal: Why We Ask for Help

Every year at this time, we take stock of our achievements over the previous 12 months ... and kindly beg for contributions. Thanks.

November 25, 2024

The Emissions Data GOP Pols Don’t Want Americans To See

Dozens of red states sued to stop the release of their state transportation emissions data. A new report gives a glimpse into what they were trying to hide.

November 25, 2024

Monday’s Headlines: This Culture War is Driving Us Mad Edition

Obviously, drivers will do anything to deflect the effect that all their driving causes. Plus other news.

November 25, 2024

DOT E-Bike Charging Pilot is a Success as City Plans More

"The goal should be to increase e-bike usage and to make sure battery charging and storage is done outside of dangerous areas," one charging advocate said.

November 25, 2024

I Tried to Hate-Ride a Waymo. Turns Out, I Loved It

And therein lies the problem with the autonomous vehicle revolution.

November 24, 2024
See all posts