The boots are coming back.
Mayor Fulop and the Department of Public Safety announced today that the city will be cracking down on drivers with $300 or more in outstanding parking fines by booting the delinquent vehicles until the violations are settled.
“The parking enforcement program looks to hold repeat offenders accountable for creating dangerous road hazards and breaking traffic safety laws” explained the city’s spokeswoman, Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione, in a press release.
In order to free up spaces for residents, the city will also increase enforcement in residential zones to target improperly parked vehicles that unlawfully take parking away from residents and are subject to impound.
Whether the policy will only apply to automobiles that are illegally parked and “subject to impound” is unclear. Wallace-Scalcione did not respond to a request for clarification.
“Parking tickets are never favorable, but public safety is paramount. That is why we are increasing our efforts to target drivers who flout the law and put others at risk,” said Mayor Fulop. “By the same token, we heard what residents had to say about unauthorized and abandoned cars hogging parking spots and interfering with adequate street cleaning, and so we are making this quality of life concern a priority as well.”
Since the targeted enforcement began earlier this month, over 100 vehicles with $150,000 in accumulated unpaid violations have been booted and resolved.
“If you break the law, you will be held accountable,” said Public Safety Director James Shea. “If you create dangerous roadway hazards that obstruct traffic, block pedestrian crosswalks, or prevent firefighters from accessing a fire hydrant during an emergency, you will be held accountable.”
Parking in Jersey City is also restricted in specific areas. Motorists are prohibited from parking within 25 feet from crosswalks, within 10 feet of fire hydrants and within 50 feet from a stop sign.
The city advises that parking-related information and alerts can be found on the City’s website here.