Monday, March 21, 2011

Cracking down on parking placard abuse

From the Queens Chronicle:

Parking placard abuse among public employees is a huge problem in downtown Jamaica, impeding commerce and frustrating shoppers who circle for what seems like forever to find a spot. But legislation that aims to curb the illegal activity is drawing big support from Queens City Council members, and the sponsors hope it will come up for a vote by early spring.

On Feb. 2, City Councilman Dan Garodnick (D-Manhattan) introduced a bill which would require parking placards to have a barcode, making it easier for traffic enforcement agents to confirm their validity. It is before the Transportation Committee.

“The bill was introduced on the council floor a couple of months ago and it peaked my interest,” said City Councilman Danny Dromm (D-Jackson Heights). “I had been seeing news reports about placard abuse and heard stories about how people were copying them when they have no right to use them. I think the bill is a good first step to make sure that placards are valid and used appropriately.”

When contacted by the Chronicle this month all 14 Queens City Council members said they are in favor of the bill with the exception of Elizabeth Crowley (D-Middle Village), who remains undecided, and Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park), who did not respond to repeated requests for comment.

“The council member is going to wait until the hearing before she decides how she will vote,” Crowley’s chief of staff, Lydon Sleeper, said in an email.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

What is there to decide Liz? It's not about your legitimate placard, it's about fraud.

Anonymous said...

Ban all placards period. The plates on the vehicules should determine the privilages.

Also it should be illegal to have PBA cards of any type in the windshield.

Anonymous said...

Dizzy Lizzy first has to ask the union bosses and the corrupt Queens Democratic machine how to vote.

Anonymous said...

Lydon Sleeper - asleep at the wheel.

Anonymous said...

My muslim neighbor has one of those
"fraternal order of police placards"
on his used Infiniti. These people
think they can game the system.

Anonymous said...

Well, considering that something like 75% of placard abuse is NYPD tags, just who is going to enforce this new crackdown? Other cops? LOL.

Anonymous said...

I can't wait to read Dizzy Lizzy's spread in the daily snooze this week.

Anonymous said...

I don't think we will ever get to this point but E-Z pass (or other form of transponder) should be required and active in each car. Connected to a highly accurate GPS it would be possible to determine if the car was parked legally, registered, insured, if its owner had outstanding warrants, liens, etc.

JO said...

they should put a hologram on it. can't copy that.

and this Anonymous is an idiot:
My muslim neighbor has one of those
"fraternal order of police placards"
on his used Infiniti. These people
think they can game the system.

Anonymous said...

The placard abusers could skirt the barcode law by using federal placards, which are beyond the city's jurisdiction.

Tribune Mike said...

I guess my "TROLLING FOR TRAMPS" placards is useless now. Oh well. It was fun while it lasted.

Anonymous said...

Where did this guy Lydon Sleeper come from? Is he as stupid as his boss?

Anonymous said...

Well, considering that something like 75% of placard abuse is NYPD tags, just who is going to enforce this new crackdown? Other cops? LOL.
-----------------------------------
It was mentioned on a few sites, including uncivil servants, that that FDNY and education were the worst offenders.

Anonymous said...

Yeah but they tend to abuse it while on duty. Cops park at fire hydrants all the time in areas they aren't working.

Anonymous said...

Yes, but the NYPD Internal Affairs have a special unit assigned to going after illegally parked cars with NYPD plaques, and ONLY NYPD plaques. They get their car towed and summonsed, PLUS they get a command discipline from the police department. At least the NYPD is policing their problem, what are the other agencies doing about their violators?