On-Street Parking & Vacation Watch
One of the most frequently asked questions at Village Hall is, "Why are residents not permitted to park their cars on the street overnight?"
Safety
We believe the reasons are simple and make a lot of sense. Primarily, the concerns are for those of safety. Police, Fire and Emergency personnel can more easily navigate down streets that are not congested. In the event of a fire or other disaster, seconds truly do
count.
Enforcement
In addition, when there are fewer cars out at night, it is easier to identify trouble or a vehicle, which does not belong in a neighborhood. This may include a potential burglar, or someone involved in criminal activity. This enables our officers to navigate and patrol throughout the village more efficiently, as well as fire trucks and ambulances. We are also able to provide better quality control of abandoned vehicles in our neighborhoods.
Maintenance
Obviously, in the winter, snow removal is a major concern, and overall cleanliness is another important factor. Our village street cleaners and road maintenance vehicles make frequent runs through our miles of roadways, and less congestion makes the job quicker and more efficient. Sanitation and recycling vehicles can pass in the morning hours with fewer obstructions. These units are large and cumbersome. Less obstructions improve efficiency, which is a monetary benefit for residents, and this provides a safer path which you cannot define with a value.
Quality of Life
Now let us imagine that there were no restrictions on overnight parking. This would mean that anyone could park his or her vehicle in front of your house, at any time. You and the other drivers in your household may not be able to park close enough to your own home, at night or throughout the day. This can also increase the parking in front of mailboxes, which can prevent delivery. Furthermore, we work very hard to stay on top of the issue of over occupancy throughout our village. There are many reasons why such situations can cause unsafe conditions, by allowing unrestricted overnight parking it would only make these items more difficult to control.
Options
Since the earliest days of our village's incorporation, residents have found ways to park. As families grow and the numbers of cars increase, it is sometimes a challenge to find adequate parking, but by seeking the use of the driveways of friends, neighbors and senior citizens who might welcome more activity around their homes, everyone can cooperate to find ways to keep our streets clean and safe. There are circumstances when citizens of multi-family and some residential areas need short-term on-street parking. We offer this on a case-by-case basis, but the homeowner must contact the Police Department direct to seek permission. This enables us to monitor and keep track of who is utilizing this privilege but avoids abuse.