Can Snow Shovelers 'Save' Parking Spots In Belleville? Here's What Police Say

BELLEVILLE, NJ — Can you “save” a parking spots when you dig them out of a snowstorm? Not in Belleville, police say.

On Wednesday, the Belleville Police Department issued a reminder about parking rules in the township – fresh on the heels of a major winter snowstorm.

The storm left the region blanketed in snow, with some parts of Essex County getting upwards of a foot of snow.

A perpetual issue in Belleville reared its head yet again after the storm, authorities reported: people “reserving” parking spots that they shovel out.

“We know digging out your parking spot after a snowstorm is no easy task,” Belleville police said. “It takes time, effort, and sometimes a sore back. We feel your pain.”

“However, placing chairs, cones, tables, garbage cans, lawn furniture or other items in the street to ‘reserve’ a shoveled parking space is NOT permitted in the Township of Belleville,” police added.

Here are three things to keep in mind, police said:

• Roadways are public property
• No one may claim or reserve on-street parking
• Objects placed in the roadway may be removed

“While we appreciate everyone working together during winter storms, these items can create hazards for motorists, plows, and emergency vehicles,” police said.

“Let’s keep our streets safe, passable, and fair for everyone,” the BPD concluded. “Thank you for your cooperation and please stay safe!”

TO PARK, OR NOT TO PARK?

Some people disagreed with Belleville police about saving parking spots amid a snowstorm. As seen online:

• "So while I respect the laws and what you’re trying to do here... no. If I spend any amount of time clearing out a spot, it’s mine. I really don’t care what the law says. Maybe we can have a course to teach common respect during and after snowstorms."
• "That’s unfair! If [you] cleaned it, I think it should be yours."
• "I did this cause I had to shovel my car out with a herniated disc ... I felt it was only right."

Other people supported the message from the BPD.

"It only takes two seconds to think about why the 'my spot' mentality is stupid," one person wrote.

"Say you dig out your spot, and when you return, another car is parked there," they said. "Where do you go? That's right: you go driving around in search of an open spot. And guess what? That new spot you find? That was someone ELSE'S spot. Now you're just as guilty. And so the person who originally dug THAT one out has to go looking for another spot, angering another person."

"The only way this cycle doesn't happen is if every single person only leaves and comes back to the same spot," they continued. "That means no visitors, nobody who works nearby, nothing. Makes no sense. You leave the spot, you give up the spot. The end."

Others pointed out that the debate has been raging in Belleville long before last weekend's snowstorm.

"I remember when I lived there as a kid, we were putting out lawn chairs," one person commented.

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