HOBOKEN — In recent articles in the Hoboken Reporter and Star Ledger, residents and visitors to Hoboken have complained about what they see is excessive punishment for parking in the wrong place. The city also has not remedied an issue of confusing signage that various town officials pledged to look into back in 2011.
Now, according to a new Star-Ledger column, written by conservative columnist Paul Mulshine, a state senator says that booting cars simply for parking in the wrong place is against state law.
As noted a Hoboken Reporter cover story noted three weeks ago, the city has been able to take in an extra $1 million in ticket fees over the previous year.
In the NJ.com column this weekend, Monmouth County Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon reportedly provided that newspaper with a copy of state statute 39:4-139.13 that states that a town can boot a car “if there are any outstanding warrants against the vehicle.” But Hoboken routinely boots cars for parking in a resident spot when they are not residents, or for not having the right permit.
The column says that in response to questions, city spokesman Juan Melli sent a statement on behalf of Mayor Dawn Zimmer saying “The city of Hoboken is currently conducting a comprehensive review of our parking policies and procedures.” According to the column, the mayor added, “I am not sure why a state legislator from South Jersey is providing commentary on issues unrelated to his position …”
It was unclear whether any statute actually says towns can’t boot cars for violating local parking laws; watch for followup.
Got an opinion? Leave comments below.
Our Digital Archive from 2000 – 2016
