New York Could Reward Parking Tattle Tales

Parking scofflaws beware: your neighbor could soon have a financial incentive to notice your hijinks.

1 minute read

November 25, 2020, 5:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Parking Scofflaws

steve silvers / Shutterstock

A bill under consideration by the New York City Council would launch a program to reward residents who inform authorities of illegally parked vehicles. An article by Caroline Spivack makes liberal use of the word "snitch" and its derivations to describe the kinds of actions that would earn financial reward if the bill is approved.

The bill will set up an online portal for New Yorkers to report  scofflaw drivers illegally parking in bike lanes, bus lanes, and crosswalks and on sidewalks," reports Spivack, with fines potentially costing as much as $175.  The informant would receive 25 percent of that penalty.

Spivak wonder whether New Yorkers are likely to rat on their neighbors enough to make the program effective. It turns out there is a precedent for the idea: The scheme…it riffs on another city program run by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) that encourages New Yorkers to tattle on idling truck or bus drivers spewing engine exhaust for more than three minutes."

So far this year, "the city has paid nearly $183,000 to the public for 1,600 idling violations (that’s out of 9,000 complaints) made to DEP (and more cases are working their way through the system)." So, yes, New Yorkers are willing to tattle.

Friday, November 20, 2020 in Curbed

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Washington

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing

A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

6 hours ago - Streetsblog USA

Bluebird sitting on branch of green bush.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire

Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

7 hours ago - AP News

1984 Olympics

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles

LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.

May 1 - Newsweek

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.