HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981 05-27 Police ticketing cars parked on streets overnight THE REVIEW Police ticketing cars parked
on streets overnight /911
The police are receiving frequent order to let people know of the ordinance.
complaints about their enforcement of Unless cars are seriously obstructing
parking regulations which ban overnight traffic or have remained parked in one
parking on the streets of Maplewood, place for several days, they are not
according to Police Chief Richard towed,Schaller said.
Schaller."People always say they don't The police department has issued five
even know about the law,"Schaller said, reasons why the ordinances are im-
referring to a 20-year-old city parking portant and will be enforced:
ordinance. "Snow plowing"—parked cars hinder
This law prohibits"parking any vehicle the Public Works Department from ef-
upon any street or road for more than two ficiently plowing and sanding the streets;
hours between the hours of 2 a.m.and 6 "Safety of our children" — most
a.m." residential areas of Maplewood do not
The zoning code's requirement is that have sidewalks or curbs and the children
all single and multi-family residential play in the street.If people can not park
buildings provide at least two off-street on the street during the night,they will
parking spaces per unit.This is intended park there less often during the day.This
to keep vehicles off the streets at night, minimizes the danger to children who
according to the police department. dart out from behind parked cars unseen
Property-owners think they should have to passing motorists;
the right to park overnight since they pay
taxes for the streets and roads,Schaller "Bicycles"—children who now ride
acknowledged.Enforcement officials can their bikes on the sides of the street would
understand the problems of families be forced to ride in the center if cars were
which own and drive several vehicles,but parked there;
Maplewood city ordinances are clear and "Mail delivery"—mail is delivered
must be enforced,he stated. primarily by motorized vehicles,which
The police department issues about six would be blocked by parked cars;
parking tickets per week for violations of "Street width"—most city streets are
the overnight parking prohibition, not wide enough to allow two vehicles to
Schaller said.The department gives out a pass by one another if there are cars
lot more warning tickets, however, in parked on both sides of the street.