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

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

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.

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of California High-Speed Rail station with bullet train.

California High-Speed Rail's Plan to Right Itself

The railroad's new CEO thinks he can get the project back on track. The stars will need to align this summer.

May 19, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Colorful historic homes in Madrid, Spain.

Spain Moves to Ban 66,000 Airbnbs

The national government is requiring the short-term rental operator to remove thousands of illegal listings from its site as part of an effort to stem a growing housing crisis.

6 seconds ago - The New York Times

People with bikes ordering at food trucks outdoors.

Raleigh Launches Greenway Food Truck Pilot to Enhance Park Experiences

Raleigh’s new Greenway Food Truck Pilot Program brings local food vendors to popular greenway locations to enhance park experiences, support small businesses, and encourage community use of public spaces.

2 hours ago - City of Raleigh

"Units for sale - contact your local realtor" sign in front of homes.

‘Displaced By Design:’ Report Spotlights Gentrification in Black Neighborhoods

A new report finds that roughly 15 percent of U.S. neighborhoods have been impacted by housing cost increases and displacement.

May 19 - Next City

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.