Federal Government Warns NYPD Over Sidewalk Parking Violations: ADA Concerns Raised

NEW YORK – The NYPD’s routine practice of parking its vehicles in the middle of sidewalks around areas has drawn the attention of the federal government.

The US Department of Justice issued a letter to the New York City Police Department last month warning that parking illegally in this manner violates the Americans with Disabilities Act. Streetsblog NYC report first on the letter.

“If we determine that we cannot voluntarily comply to correct the deficiencies identified in this letter, the Attorney General may pursue legal action under the ADA,” said the letter from US Attorney for the Southern District Damian Williams.

That letter, dated March 29, said the NYPD had two weeks to respond to the Department of Justice and indicated that the Police Department was interested in resolving the concerns.

“We are reviewing the letter,” an NYPD spokesperson told News 4 on Sunday, April 21.

According to Williams’ office, the Police Department’s frequent blocking of sidewalks and crosswalks near fields, along with the time spent blocking public access, has made the city’s pedestrian network ” inaccessible or usable by disabled persons”.

A recent study, which the letter notes, found that 91% of the areas in the five cities see police vehicles blocking public sidewalks and crossings.

The DOJ outlined a series of solutions it encouraged the NYPD to implement to comply with the ADA; These include implementing a new parking policy for city vehicles, changing training programs for traffic officers, establishing a complaint system where the public can report illegal parking. legal, and provides regular updates to the SDNY.