Paterson hikes parking penalties by 10-percent
By Jayed Rahman
Published: June 28, 2018
The city is increasing parking violation penalties for most infractions like double parking and parking too close to a stop sign by 10-percent.
Under the modified fee schedule, penalties for 23 parking violations will be raised. Penalties for 21 violations went up from current $50 to $55, according to municipal records. Two other violations, meter overtime and improper parking, went from $20 to $24 and $35 to 42.
Municipal officials said the city hadn’t raised parking penalties for the past eight years. Last time the city increased illegal parking fines was in 2010.
The city council approved the fee hikes on Tuesday night.
“This is a slight increase to account for the cost of living increase. I think the $5 increase is reasonable given the length of time they had not been raised,” said William McKoy, 3rd Ward councilman.
“I see it every day. People go out of Paterson and they do the right thing. They go to New York, they don’t park on the bus stop, block a driveway. But they come here, and they forget about following the rules,” added Luis Velez, 5th Ward councilman.
Michael Jackson, 1st Ward councilman, said the fees will burden residents.
“This here, directly targets the residents of Paterson,” said Michael Jackson, 1st Ward councilman. He said the cost for the violations increase astronomically when towing expenses are included.
The increase was approved in a 5-1 vote. Council members Maritza Davila, McKoy, Andre Sayegh, Velez, and Ruby Cotton voted in favor while Jackson voted against.
“Hopefully you won’t be breaking the law so you won’t have to pay the increase,” said Davila.
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