In June, TLS reported the Inspection Department was continuing its timed parking enforcement in the Downtown Lakewood – by marking tires and issuing warnings.
Now, real summonses are being issued.
One ticket-receiver was not happy about it, and was wondering who even issued the ticket.
“So I have heard about this for a while, but now this is the first time that I’ve received a ticket for parking on Clifton Avenue longer than two hours,” he said. “I’ve reached out to the police department a while ago and they told me at that time that they do not give citations for parking on Clifton Avenue longer than two hours. This ticket looks like was given by the Inspection Department and not by the police department. Are they allowed to do this? I’ve been parking on Clifton Avenue for more than two hours a day for more than five years and I never saw this before.”
During the warning period (pictured), Township Inspection Department Director Mike Saccamano told TLS the Department was cracking down in response to numerous complaints from Downtown store-owners.
So how do they know how long you were there for?
Chalk. Inspectors use chalk to mark the tires, and then return to see if the vehicle has moved in the allotted time.
The Downtown area is defined as the area between Route 9 and Lexington Avenue, and between 5th Street and Main Street. The areas being monitored, says Saccamano, are the Municipal parking lots and area marked with timed parking – such as two or three-hour parking limits.
The fine for parking is $20. There is no court appearance required.
“Are they allowed to do this”
Yes, they are.
Why are there signs posted: Only 2 hour parking?
Not hard to figure this out,
Do the math, the average customer parks for approximately 1/2 an hour or less. So for every parker who parks from 9-5 in “prime” parking spots they make an average of 16 people daily walk from non “prime” parking spots. Be considerate of others-it’s the law too!
Doing it for more than 5 yrs doesn’t make it ok
What’s the confusion all about???
Just follow the rules!!!
They are allowed to chalk private cars?
Google it- federal court 6th circuit rules chalking unconstitutional, violation of 4th amendment against unreasonable searches or seizures without a warrant. I don’t know if that ended the case or not, but it certainly can be argued.
They are ignoring all the complaints about the municipal lots and moving ahead with this.
None of the women in our office feel safe parking in the municipal lot between first and second, and many have had their cars damaged there. It’s worse in the winter when they have to go to their cars in the dark.
The mayors office and police department should be ashamed that they are letting the store owners and inspection department run their own racket when there is no real ordinance in place.
Let them clean up the lots and get all the vagrants from the Lexington Ave home off Clifton first.
Not to mention the out of state license plates that will take all the vacated spots on Clifton if no one else were to park there.
“Run their own racket????
How about just follow the parking regulations. Is that too much to ask?
Great! The guy is doing his job, thus opening critical parking spots.
The person with the ticket acknowledged that “I’ve heard about this for a while”, still continues to park there (for 5 years!) and then complains when they give him the ticket they warned him about?
Personally, I say it’s about time that the streets aren’t tied up all day. It’s still not going to be easy to find a spot in front of your favorite store, but now you’ll have a chance. People that stayed all day are inconsiderate to both shoppers and businesses that lose out.
Only 20 bucks? Cheapest parking ticket I have ever seen. They even get a good deal on tickets
So he’s upset that he’s been breaking the law for 5 years and now he finally got in trouble?? Maybe downtown Lakewood should have parking meters that will only allow a 2 hr maximum. The small fee will add up and can go towards fixing the roads
Everyone is saying this is great and it will open up critical parking spots… completely ignoring that if you are required to be in the area for more then two hours you have to park in the municipal lot. Normally, no one would have a problem with this but has anyone walked past that lot during the day? What about the times people have been stabbed in these lots? The time there were gun shots in the municipal lot behind French press. When I park in this lot I get stared at, when people try to talk to you inappropriately and you ignore them they get angry. One time I even had a guy follow me from that lot, across the street and even right to the door of my building. Someone tell me how this is okay? And don’t forget how many people run red lights and speed around turns while you are trying to cross the street almost hitting you. Take care of this and I’m sure everyone having to park on Clifton for more than 2 hours will be happy to use the municipal lot.
I’ve been working in the downtown area for the past 20 years. At this point the are some cars that serve as the primary residence of some of Lakewood’s denizens. I suspect that those cars will receive “special” status and not be ticketed in order to preserve the status quo..
Dan the ruling from the 6th circuit court only applies to those states that the court has jurisdiction over. NJ is not one of those states.
In the meantime, everyone, quit yer whining and abide by the rules, be they parking or littering in public places.