With the City raising more money than ever from parking tickets, even terrorists have to worry where they are going to park these days.
That after the City is seeking authorization for federal agents from the Department of Homeland Security to write parking tickets with the money going to the city coffers.
The City’s Department of Finance posted a notice of the proposed rule change of allowing the federal agents to write parking tickets on the CityRecordOnline. It explains that the purpose of the authorization is there are times when vehicles are parked near federal facilities in violation of parking regulations.
But a source with Local 1182, the union representing the City’s traffic enforcement agents, said the proposed rule change raises all kinds of questions.
“Why do they need to now take up our job and start issuing parking tickets? They should just call us or a tow truck. When people start stepping out of their lane it becomes an issue. And the federal agents probably think it’s a step down. Writing tickets is a change in their job description,” said the source.
The source noted that there are barricades around federal buildings and questioned where these cars can even park illegally.
“A parking ticket will not deter terrorists,” the source said.
The proposed authorization also comes as the City collected a record $565 million in revenue from parking tickets last year.
Department of Finance Spokesperson Sonia Alleyne said the proposal comes after Homeland Security approached the City’s Sheriff’s department towards the end of January expressing an interest in writing parking tickets for security reasons.
The Department of Finance will hold a public hearing on the proposed rule change. The hearing is slated for 11 a.m., May 2, 345 Adams Street, 3rd Floor, in Downtown Brooklyn. For further info call Joan Best at (718) 488-2007.
