file photo Ridgewood Parking Enforcement
Facing backlash, Ridgewood stops parking enforcement for next two days
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2012
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Facing backlash and negative feedback from residents and others who patronize Ridgewood’s Central Business District, the village has suspended parking enforcement, particularly ticketing for expired meters, for today and Saturday.
During Hurricane Sandy and in the immediate days after the storm, the village permitted residents and shoppers to park in metered spots within downtown, including streets and lots, for free. Officials initially put enforcement back into effect Thursday morning.
Several village departments and officials advised residents about enforcement through local and social media, but those announcements were greeted with unfriendly responses. A reminder about parking enforcement posted Thursday on the Ridgewood Police Department’s Facebook page has already been removed.
“I just figured that there were no meters today,” Marcus DiNallo, a Midland Park resident, said Friday morning after parking his Toyota in the Chestnut Street lot. “I don’t know why [Ridgewood] would ticket people who probably are going through enough stress.”