7th Avenue Meter Maids on a Rampage

Subject: Re: double-parking is *never* legal.

swngnmonk wrote: Double-parking is never legal, even for alternate-side. The NYPD is simply looking the other way. Don't believe me? Read the city codes - there's no exception for alternate-side double-parking (ASDP). The city/NYPD effectively accept it as a necessary evil to keep the streets clean.

Agents have all the discretion here. I once got a ticket in Cobble Hill for

Having been ticketed multiple times for alt side, I can assure you that it is NEVER legal. I have been to court - in person - twice. It is considered a "courtesy" to double park. And there is no such thing as "standing" either. I have been ticketed twice while unloading groceries from my car. The tailgate was up. The car was running. The flashers were flashing. Once i was even standing there.

redmenace wrote: [quote=brooklynpotter]they can tow you just for the alt-side violation? or is there are other violations on top?

You would have to pay towing charges (substantial) and release from impound, plus pay the ticket on the spot.

All in cash.


Really? I've always paid with a card and mailed in the ticket afterwards. If you have outstanding tickets I know you have to pay them before you can get the car back, but the ticket that you receive during the tow is something you can mail in.

brooklynpotter wrote: i've heard that tickets in different parts of the city are different amounts--same violation, lower or higher prices. don't know if this is true.

Yes, fines are higher for most violations in Manhattan south of 96th street. Other than that, all ticket pricing is uniform across other boroughs.

http://www.nyc.gov/html/dof/html/parking/park_tickets_violations.shtml

Since living in Park Slope, I have received about 5 parking tickets. A couple for expired meters, one for unloading at a hydrant (totally unacceptable, but I had to do it) and a couple more for alt. side. Granted, I am generally long gone before alt. side begins, but I have found that planning ahead drastically reduces tickets AND searching for parking on alt. side mornings. If alt. side begins at 11:30, and you leave your house to move the car at 11:20, chances are you will NOT find a parking spot. The legal ones will be taken and the streets will be crowded with people searching for the same thing you are. On days that I will be home for alt. side, I make sure the night before that I am in a safe zone. If I am too lazy the night before, I leave at around 8 or 9 am...hours before people are thinking of moving their cars. I loved this past summer when it was suspended. The streets were dirty, but I was a stress free driver...

CC wrote: I wish drivers who park or idle at bus stops while someone runs into a deli would get ticketed. This happens all the time on 7th avenue and it's dangerous. It seems like everyone thinks it is ok to do it. Then the bus stops in the middle of the street and sometimes you have to squeeze between cars and delivery vans to get to it. Plus, last week I saw one woman and her child almost get hit by a bike that came whizzing by through a red light as she tried to board. A meter maid could lurk around bus stops all day on 7th avenue and make a fortune for the city

I agree.

Unless your are handicapped, it is not ok to park anyplace that is convenient just because it is for a short wile or you have a lot of stuff. Sometimes you might have to LOOK FOR A SPOT and then maybe make a few trips.