The common and usual practice of double parking when there’s Alternate Side of the Street parking and cleaning is illegal (see here) and rarely enforced or penalized. This post is not to address why there’s street cleaning, how it’s done, regulations imposed in order to do so, or anything else related, nor about why the rule is rarely enforced or penalized. I’m focused on the act of double parking.
Let’s unpack it. Double parking means you park your car (illegally), in a way that my (legally) parked car is blocked. Could be for as long as 90 minutes, or more. I come to use my car and you’re nowhere to be seen. I probably don’t know who you are, where you are and to who the car belongs, so I can’t use my car. You’ve effectively stolen from me both time and the use of my car.
Though it seems unnecessary, I will anyway explain (since I (and others) have experienced damaging consequences from being double-parked blocked), how such practice is not only selfish, but possibly damaging. I could have had a doctor’s appointment that took me months to get, or a very time-sensitive medical visit, or an interview for a job I desperately need, or a shidduch date, or a business appointment or meeting, or any time-sensitive destination for which I need a vehicle, or anything for which I need a vehicle…. And you, by your choice, took that away from me.
Where should you park? Everyone does it, why shouldn’t you? Is it really a law if the police don’t ticket for it? If everyone does it and I’m parked, should I not have expected being double-parked blocked and made better plans? What’s the big deal, can’t I just get an Uber?
I’m not going to answer these questions and will leave it up to you to decide what type of person you are and what position you want to hold in this.
If you agree that you don’t want to block someone else’s use of their legally parked par without their explicit permission, and yet you find it insurmountably challenging to park your car anywhere legally during the time it’s forbidden on certain sides of certain streets at certain times, and are willing to steal someone else’s time and car usage by parking your car where convenient for you, alongside theirs and leaving, then, please, at least leave a very visible and legible note under your windshield showing your cell number (assuming you always check your cellphone) and where you will be, so that the user of the car you’re blocking can hunt you down and wait for you to come move your car, so that their time/use loss is lessened.
I know it’s frustrating, but there literally aren’t enough parking spots for no one to double park at all during alternate side parking. That’s why it isn’t enforced. And that’s why you don’t have a better solution (which fact you’re disguising with a pretense of self-righteous outrage – if you really wanted a change and knew how to bring it about, you’d tell everyone). If you have one of those important appointments, you know ahead of time when you will have to leave, and you can ensure ahead of time that you are parked on a block where alternate side… Read more »
And in that cycle of life, there is a genius trick that is used in normal cities not called NY.
People write they phone number on a piece of paper, and put it on their dashboard, with text notifying the blocked driver to call should they need to get out,
Welcome to the city, yes it’s nice to have a number to call but you also don’t know the other person issues, he might be by the doctor appointment too or in the middle of dealing with an infant and can’t come ASAP to let you out. So if something really important coming up, prepare yourself for that day and avoid all stress
You’re parked illegally, I don’t care for what, you leave your number. You wouldn’t double park any other time for an appointment, or park by a pump, would you? Why do you think that now you can park and disappear?
If you know that you won’t be able to wait till alternate side parking is over then try to park somewhere else or leave your name on the dashboard that’s how it is when you dont have your own driveway
I agree 100% with “Look…” There is simply no choice and indeed it’s why it’s not enforced. Perhaps you’re being selfish by focusing on your needs rather than that of the other. Where are they supposed to park if they can’t double park. Perhaps you can plan ahead knowing these facts about city life.
to be the one who has to plan ahead? Let the ILLEGALLY parked car owner plan ahead instead of blocking someone else.
I don’t live in Crown Heights and never have I been happier about that. Your comment, as well as the comment of many others in this comment section, indicate a supreme degree of selfishness possessed by the locals of the CH community. The author of the article brought up a very valid point. Double parking harms the car that’s locked in. Duh! and the best response you and your fellow CHers is ‘It’s NYC. Live with it!’. really?! Gross. Furthermore, many commenters presented a simple solution: Leave a note with your number. I think this article and comment section dispute… Read more »
I had a case a few months ago in Jerusalem that a Truck had to pass through a thin road that was made thinner by a car legally parked that was ok for a car to pass but not this truck. The police were called and within a few minutes the cars owner came running out to move his car. I was told that this a normal occurrence and therefore the police have all owners licence plates information and phone number to be able contact them immediately. I was impressed. With this said, please be considerate and leave your phone… Read more »
You can only change yourself, not others. If you dont like being blocked, dont park there when you know everyone will double park during that time. Simple as that. Manage your expectations and you wont be so disappointed and frustrated. I’ve always expected to be blocked and only left my car legally parked there if I was sure I wouldnt need it during those predictable 90 minutes of double parking. Get real.
Why not say, hay that’s a great idea, I will leave my phone number, its the right thing to do.? Especially considering that I’m parked illegal.
Please be reasonable. There are often barely enough spots in CH without street cleaning.. The NYPD realizes this and gives a courtesy and so should you. When street cleaning comes, and hundreds of spots disappear… Where do you expect all the cars to go? I have a better idea for you. Accept the fact when parking your car in a legal spot during cleaning times that it might get blocked in and plan your schedule accordingly… If you really need to use your car during those street cleaning hours, you can park it by another street, or park it at… Read more »
Why not say, hay that’s a great idea, I will leave my phone number, its the right thing to do.? Especially considering that I’m parked illegal.
“Learn and adapt to the culture and customs of the city.”
In other words, this world, this city is a jungle. You are a Jew, a chossid, however, in the jungle you need to be an animal?
“Holiness means distinctiveness. A Jew must march to a different beat. It doesn’t matter what the rest of the world is doing. We are a people apart.”
If you are planning on using your car during alternate side parking hours find elsewhere to park….
Yes, I agree it’s frustrating to be blocked in. And it wastes your time. But the tone of your article is sharp. Looking around for a legal spot, sometimes late at night, which then means you have to walk from a number of blocks away also wastes people’s time. Just make your point – leave a note on windshield and recognize that parking in Brooklyn wastes everyone’s time, not only those who got a spot that got blocked in.
And if you think it’s about to get any easier think again…
The author isnt saying u should stop double parking during street cleaning.
They are asking that when u do double park- u leave a paper in the window with ur cellphone number.
Simple and quick solution to keep everyone happy and free to move their car when necessary.
Changing the same topic for more appropriate tone without labels like “ illegal parking “ or “ stealing “ will be more acceptable among all of us.
Ps. Many of these double parking cars are not belong to any Jewish Families. Many gentiles park here and use subway to go to work in the city, just to let you know, the problem is bigger then you think.
Nothing stated in this article is wrong. Fact: It is illegal to park. Fact: The person legally parked has full rights to leave whenever they please. Fact: If you are a mensch, you will leave your phone number.
This is not about “Feelings”, wa wa wa, you hurt my feelings etc… this is about doing the right thing.
No, actually he/she is furious with ANYONE who double parks during street cleaning. The suggestion about leaving a phone number was “the least you could do”. I’m sure the author has and does double park during street cleaning! I’m sorry that he or she forgot to move it on a particular that she had an appointment. It’s life. Stuff happens. I’m sure she’ll be more conscious of reality in the future.
Another important thing is that people are not thoughtful when parking their cars at other times about blocking driveways. This there is no excuse for unless you are a emergency vehicle.
Please try to respect one another. and Yes if for some reason you do park blocking a driveway please place your cell number on the dashboard visible to see.
Thanks
This comment has too much common sense and common sense hurts my feelings.
Why is blocking a driveway less excusable then double parking??
(BTW the privilege afforded to people with a driverway is absurd)
1- safe to assume you are did not grow up in crown heights? 2- you could have made your point ( or the lack thereof ) short sweet and straight to the point “please leave contact info on dashboard when double parking and blocking in others ( for the predicted and known 90 minute period of time which all know accept and live with ) 3- even if one does leave a note he can not be expected to drop everything he/she is going and come move a car… you knew when u parked Monday night that Tuesday morning you’ll… Read more »
You are illegally parked, you know you illegally parked and may be blocking someone, you can’t just disappear. You wouldn’t do this in any other situation, you shouldn’t do it here. Leave your phone number regardless!
Every single day of the week except one, our car can not be parked on one side of our block for an hour and a half. During that time, the NYPD allows us to double park, for the purpose of street cleaning. There is definitely a learning curve to understanding the system, but it’s the system nevertheless. It makes no sense to leave my number on my car every day of the week, as during that hour and a half all the regular things are happening, such as grocery shopping ten blocks over, teaching, nursing a baby etc. Once you… Read more »
If your time in the middle of the day is so precious to you, you have a choice to double park as all of the rest or simply exchange your spot with someone else who is looking to double park. Better for you to rent privately a spot and avoid all street cleaning regulations stress. Because one day you will be not so lucky and will find yourself in the same double parked situation with another aggressive person. Don’t judge anyone – change yourself first, sad to read this article in our neighborhood where parking is limited to zero, zero… Read more »
Get over it . All new Yorkers know that if you need your car during street cleaning time you park in the wiring side. If you forget and need your car …take an uber. Get a grip
False, not all New Yorker’s knew this, because in other neighborhoods they don’t allow it. In CH and perhaps a neighborhood here and there, they allow it as a COURTESY (not a right), so be courteous and leave a phone number. Thank you.
You know when street sweeping time is…so move your car beforehand if you know you will need it in those 90 minutes and don’t want to get blocked. There are more pressing issues in CH you should be focusing on.
Did you eat good today? Do you know that kids are starving in Africa? Just because there are other issues, does not mean one can not bring this one up. This IS something that effect real people everyday. This IS something that every individual (double parking) can do something about.
Side note: If there are other pressing issues (I agree there are), than by all means, write something up or even better, take action to fix…
Your title first of all is harsh.
It’s an accepted practice for ever to double park and those parked correctly know the risk they are taking for those 90 minutes.
It’s that simple. Don’t need everyone out to bad illegal non considerate people.
To add to what other commenters have said, leave a note with your phone number. However, understandably there are people who aren’t interested in having their phone numbers out for any random person to call.
A solution to this is signing up for a google voice number, which will mean you can get calls directly to your phone without giving out your personal number.
the writer could have been a little more understanding .. when alternate side hits there are very few options where to put the car and it is a courtesy of the police to allow it ( as they do many places example around many churches on Sundays you can find many double parked cars and when i asked the police they said it is a courtesy extended to the church) so the only thing the writer should have written is in nice and short PLEASE LEAVE A NOTE WHEN YOU DOUBLE PARK …. there are ways to communicate and we… Read more »
This is the way the city always was, the way the city is, and for the foreseeable future, will be. This article wreaks of machiavellianism and selfishness. If you really really needed to get somewhere there’s a half a dozen ways you could’ve gotten there: namely the subway, bus, taxi, über, walking, biking, etc. Yet, instead, you write an “op-ed” about how one needs to move their car — for you — for a likely a luxury not afforded to many (you should be thankful you can afford and have a car around here). You show up here and lament… Read more »
Instead of people bashing you, how about you look at it this way: if people would have curtisy they would not be blocking you – since apparently according to the replies they do not, try to avoid the stress by parking in a place that you’ll not be double parked. And if and when it does happen – think to yourself ultimatly Hashem controls the world and my day. Everything will be alright. You’ll begin to see the hashgacha praris of the situation. hatzlacha!
With all due respect. You mean well. However, you can’t tell the person who is doing the right thing to basically jump in the lake, while excusing those doing wrong. Within the same minute or two that you wrote your comment, you could have directed it to those illegally parked who don’t leave a phone number.
I wasn’t excusing those doing wrong, I was simply saying – people will remain the same, might as well make MY life easy! With Hashems help and my effort, it’s a win win %100!
1. Some think it’s a way of the neighborhood, regardless of the law, and therefore incumbent upon the legal spot parker, to expect the temporarily illegal parkers to block their car at that time. In other words, it’s not the written law that counts, but rather how the local citizens run their turf. (This seems to leave out someone from somewhere else who happens to be in the neighborhood. This also seems to put the needs of those who double park, over the needs of those who parked curbside). 2. Some think, while it might be the way of the… Read more »
Well said!
Your complaints are valid. But, the reality is that parking is a problem. With alternate side being 4 times a week, the problem is compounded. A practical suggestion may be. Don’t park your car when you know that you need it during alternate side. You know you will be blocked. Alway’s think in advance. It would be nice to see our local activist propose to the city to change alternate to 2 time weekly instead of 4. In addition there are some individuals who are running car rental businesses which are stealing our available parking. Free parking on the backs… Read more »
If I am parked on the right side of the street, and I know I will be leaving,with my car the hours of street cleaning,I go out,and double park my car.in that way,when I am ready to leave,there is no problem.i disagree with this article completley.
No name on this article….
Live without a car, it’s cheaper and easier, less headache.
Or move outside NYC
And, this unlike (-1) on every comment, should I guess who’s doing that?
David Kohen
I always leave a note when I’m double parked. Never have I received a phone call to come move my car..’most ppl know that if they need to leave in between those hours they usually won’t park there…
We all know alternate side parking means your car gets locked in for 1.5 hours. If you need your car make sure it is not in a spot that can get blocked. Ie near a pump, front and back of block. Not sure why you are waking up today. This has been going on for ages. Plan accordingly….
Sorry but if you live here then alternate side comes along with the package and you have to learn to live with it. Move your car before alternate side starts or find another method of transportation when you get blocked in.
This is not the response of a Jew a chossid. This is not a response of Ahavas Yisrael. A chossid goes above and beyond the letter of the law.
In this case, when double parking you are breaking the law, the least one can do is leave a number for his/her fellow citizen who are parked legally.
Find love within yourself and you’ll find love for someone else. Have pity on yourself and you’ll have pity on others.
Even to those people who don’t own driveways and can’t park before five PM and therefore can’t find a parking on the correct side for the next day.
Why is it that basically every comment here is saying it is ok to block a driveway and/or double park blocking people. It is not right it might be reality but that does not make it right. By blocking someone you are stealing from them plain and simple.
I live in Kensington and years ago we also had 4 days of alternate parking. That changed to two days alternate parking. Also Boro Park switched to two days alternate parking. Get your politicians to change the parking rules. CH is behind the times.
When living in Crown Heights with a car everyone knows the rules of alternate side parking (4 days a week for 90 minutes each day). My husband and I have a preprinted paper kept in our van one side has my cell number and the other side has my husband cell number. Whoever double parks leaves the paper with their number in the windshield. However, in the past I have also had my van blocked in – either from alternate side parking or UPS or a delivery truck/oil truck etc. And it’s extremely upsetting especially when one has a an… Read more »
Maybe push our community council etc to change to once a week cleaning for each side like other communities with connections, after all it will be the same clean/dirty just less tickets for the city. I think that will truly be helping the community!
I know it’s frustrating, but if you really need your car the smart thing to do is to go out at the time and double park your car. Another car will be happy to take your spot and be locked in.
Interesting, I actually posted about this today on my Whatsapp status, Facebook and Instagram.
This is what I wrote:
I’m on a trip with the kids. I don’t have parking for the school bus, so I double park. I go near by to eat lunch. I LEAVE MY PHONE NUMBER in case anyone wants to get out. It’s the right thing to do! Be a mensch!
Hillel taught: “What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. That is the whole Torah; the rest is the explanation of this—go and study it!” (Talmud – Shabbat31a)
If somebody is blocking your car in a spot, you can call the authorities to have their car towed
Obviously if you need to unpack the car and have to double park in order to be close to your house monitor your car so the parking car can exit when needed. Common courtesy is a no brainer.. These are the small containers that Yaakov retrieved
and because of this Yaakov defeated rhe.malach of Esau.
Hey let’s be honest here people double park not because they are grub but simply because the street cleaning forces them to do so or face an expensive ticket. If you have a pressing need for a car you can always anticipate being blocked in and try to find a spot that is less likely to be blocked in. I think leaving a phone number when double parking is a must and you should be more ambient to this since it’s the best option for everyone involved. As a community we help each other out thus knowing that double parking… Read more »
Why not move your car where the double park would be and leave the parking space empty?
Do what we all do. Plan accordingly!! It’s Brooklyn. Nature of the beast
Are you a visitor to New York? The entire city double parks because it is the only way for the city to function. How about if you know you have to move your car during the alternate side time frame, you have the courtesy to double park and let someone else use your spot. We all have to work together when it comes to the complexity of city living. If you failed to plan to move your car before the alternate side time started, that’s no one’s fault but your own.
So right so true
I always leave my Business Card In the window
Thanks for the Article
Yes leave a number so i can call you then you will have a spot to park your car or be close by if I have to move my car to go somewhere