Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
New Exceptions in the World of Illegal Parking
By
Ben Yakas
Published Apr 17, 2010
Modified Apr 17, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Yakas
Published Apr 17, 2010
Modified Apr 17, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
We've heard all the stories of placard abuse run rampant, from police cars blocking fire hydrants to judges using them off-duty. But in the past year, the city has cracked down on those abuses by forming a new unit within the Internal Affairs Bureau just for tracking down such offenders. Now, after nearly 1,700 summons issued to those abusers, some cops are complaining that it's getting in the way of their jobs.
After several instances of the NYPD towing unmarked police vehicles in the middle of operations, the NYPD has decided to allow for exceptions: “If you are transporting a complainant or a witness to the court, or to the district attorney’s office, for trial preparation, or delivering a large piece of evidence, then you can call and give I.A.B. your license plate number, and you will not be ticketed, or towed,” said the department’s chief spokesman, Deputy Commissioner Paul J. Browne. All police have to do is get permission from their superiors (or whatever other word one might substitute for that) now.
And oh the irony: many officers complained that the Internal Affairs Bureau "would be better served by homing in on more serious allegations of corruption or serious misconduct.” One City Room commenter, Jamie, didn't miss a beat: "Did NYPD officers just complain about receiving summonses for trivial and picayune reasons and say IA should focus on more serious matters??? Pot calling kettle black, come in pot, kettle calling…"
Tagged
cops
nypd
parking
placard abuse
tickets
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Forest Hills Stadium can keep its concerts under deal with neighbors
Neighbors had complained of traffic and loud concerts for years.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 22, 2026
NYC Council to grill Mamdani officials on collapsed Hunts Point Produce Market deal
Council Speaker Julie Menin called the $650 million plan "mission critical."
By
Elizabeth Kim
News
NYC Council to grill Mamdani officials on collapsed Hunts Point Produce Market deal
Council Speaker Julie Menin called the $650 million plan "mission critical."
By
Elizabeth Kim
NYPD arrests 17-year-old in fatal Midtown subway platform shooting
By
Charles Lane
Ex-Adams aide accused of pocketing kickbacks from community program funds
By
Samantha Max
MTA to begin 6-year project to upgrade signal tech on A and C lines in Brooklyn and Queens
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .