Double Parking during Street Cleaning

arzan

Over the last couple of years people have started double parking during street cleaning times.

The police somehow turns the blind eye to it, even though it is illegal.

On Tuesday, someone double parked next to my car, and I had to get my car out to go to work. There was no tel. no in the dashboard that I could call and ask the owner to move.

So I called 311 and asked them what I could do, and they promptly sent out a tow truck and the car was towed away.

The owner of that car turns out lives across from me. She saw me today and came and raised a big ruckus about how stupid I was and how she had to suffer financial loss because her car was towed away.

Since I was getting late for work, I didnt stop too long, but I could have given back to her.

Firstly, double parking is illegal. She seemed to think, it was her right.
Secondly, most people who double park in Manhattan, either sit in their cars the whole duration or leave a cell number where they can be reached.
Thirdly the owner moved into a 1.5 million townhouse they bought and then cribs about paying a fine for an offence which she committed.

Seriously....what's wrong with these guys.

Do you think what I did was correct or wrong ??

homeowner

Double parking during street cleaning is an old time Brooklyn thing. I've lived here over thirty years, and its always been the case. As a long time NY driver I must say that I never called a tow truck on my neighbors, but I have 1) sat on my horn until someone came out to move the car or 2) have driven up on the sidewalk to get out of a parking space.

I don't think you were wrong, but you might consider parking on the wrong side of the street and then double parking your car for a while in the morning if you are leaving prior to the time parking regulations expire. That way you don't have to worry about getting blocked in.

anonymous

I think you did the right thing. No need to feel guilty. She should have least left a note on her dashboard with a contact number or something. that's how they do it in other states. I'm glad you got the car towed.
I once had to walk around, store to store, for an hour before I found the person who double-parked. It turned out that it was the first store that I went to. Needless to say I was extremely infuriated. I got one free dry-cleaning. And I brought as many sweaters as I could find (without over doing it).
I've also had to sit and honk my horn for about 15 minutes (which wakes up everyone on the block). And I've also had to drive up on the curb. but that's not always possible and you run the risk of getting a ticket if an officer comes by at the time.

anonymous

That's a tough one, arZan, I really can appreciate both sides of the story. From your vantage point, why should you be inconvenienced at all?...after all, you're the one complying with the law. But on the other hand, she probably didn't comply with the law (and I'm assuming that you're right that this practice is illegal) because she is following a routine behavior for her community. If you join any group, whether social or professional, a courteous thing for you to do is to learn the practices of the group before employing any self-help techniques. But then again, she could've easily left a # in the windshield...but then again, if you knew you were leaving for work in the morning, why'd you take 1 of the good parking spots?

arzan

I normally ride my motorcycle to work. However that day, there were light showers in the morning, which was not in the forecast the night before. Therefore I had no choice but to take the car.

Ive seen many other people put their numbers in the dash. Ive seen this car double parked every single street cleaning day. Even today morning it was double parked, and she had no tel no. in her dash.

That to me is "care a damn" attitude

oiseau

I'm amazed that 311 actually came and towed her car within the street cleaing rules time. How long did it take before they showed up.

I think you are right to have her towed and she should have left her phone #/address on the dash, but really, you should have known that double parking is allowed during street cleaning (but if you are still parked there one minute after they end you will get a double-parking ticket).

arzan

Double parking on my street starts at 9:00 AM and ends at 10:30 AM. I was there at 9:10 so there was no way I could wait till 10:30 AM.

The tow car came in 15 minutes.

j.b.

Double-parking during street-cleaning is legal? I've heard several people say categorically that it's not.

sugarshoc

Double parking for street cleaning is an understood nyc thing. Harlem does it too. I've been in your situation before and it is not fun. I learned not to park on the correct side of the street and double park myself so I could get out if I had to. I've sat on the horn and that works. But, did you know that the car belonged to your neighbor before you called 311? If you did know, how come you didn't just knock on your neighbor's door and ask them to move the car? That would've been 10 times easier and you would preserve you neighbor relationship. In NY, we don't leave our information on our dashboard for other people like they do in other states. This city alone has 8 million people and that leaves a lot of room for fools so information doesn't get put out there like that. You have to protect yourself. Where are you from by the way?

arzan

Sugarshoc

I did not know it was her car. They have moved into the neighborhood in the last two months. I always see the car around, but have never seen a person get in or out so there is no way of knowing this.

I have lived in NYC for the last 9 years of my life, all of them in Clinton Hill or Bed Stuy.

Even in Manhattan, people leave their cell numbers. I used to work on Cooper Square and when walking from the subway to the station, all along 5th street I would either see drivers sitting in the car, or cell numbers left prominently displayed.

So therefore I dont know which New York you are talking of when u say

In NY, we don't leave our information on our dashboard for other people like they do in other states.

guvna

Technically the double parking is illegal, but not enforced. As for what to do, I wouldve pressed the horn for a few minutes to see whether anyone came out. If nobody came out, I would think calling a tow truck was proper.

She really is an ass if she is still not leaving her number on the dash! I absolutely dread tickets, so I never double park. I would rather park blocks away if it meant I wouldnt have to worry about a ticket. However, if you are going to double park, you should at least look out the window frequently if you choose not to leave your number.

boygabriel

tough call arZan, but I think you did the right thing. it was an unfortunate situation that had no good resolution.

most people leave their cell numbers on the dash, or are within earshot of their cars in case they need to move it. it's the polite thing for people to do. if the police are going to be nice and allow double-parking, than the double parkers have to play nice to and make themselves available to let other people get their cars out.

those are the (unwritten) rules

anonymous

I think you should have honked your horn first before you called. Me personally, I double park and I think sometimes you just run in and it is a hassle to find parking. My neighbors hold me down. Because no one wants to be the cause of a unnecessary tow. If she didnt come out when you honk - then call.

I would also suggest you be on your P's & Q's as far as neighborhood stuff. No loud music, parties etc. Because she hates you.

wally

You were correct to call but your assumption that alternate side double parking is a new thing is incorrect.

As for numbers on the dashboard, anyone who DOESN'T leave their number on their dashboard is a) rude and b) asking for trouble. I would have tried to call as well - although most people in my neighborhood know whose car is whose so that helps too.