Cranford Cracks Down On Illegal Parking With New Tech

CRANFORD, NJ — New technology aimed at reducing illegal parking is now in place in Cranford’s downtown business district.

The Cranford Police Department has installed SafetyStick devices in targeted no-parking zones to improve pedestrian visibility, maintain emergency access and ease traffic flow, according to a township news release.

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From 2021 through 2025, Cranford saw 42 crashes involving pedestrians, with about 10 occurring in or near the downtown area. Those locations can pose added risks due to congestion, heavy foot traffic and visibility issues caused by illegally parked vehicles.

The SafetyStick system uses solar power and radar technology to detect vehicles that stop or park in restricted areas. When a violation occurs, the system captures an image showing the date, time and location.

All recorded violations are reviewed by police personnel before any citation is issued.

“The Police Department is always striving to both enforce and improve pedestrian safety throughout town, and using technology and tools such as these demonstrates the department's commitment to these initiatives,” Deputy Mayor and Commissioner of Public Safety Paul A. Gallo said.

The initial rollout will focus on areas of the downtown district where parking violations have affected safety and traffic flow. Drivers are urged to follow posted parking rules and remain alert in high-traffic areas.

The technology was developed by Municipal Parking Systems, a company based in Austin, Texas. Cranford officials said the township entered into an agreement after other nearby communities reported success using similar systems.

“Cranford is very fortunate to have a Police Department that continually looks at new and better ways to improve safety for pedestrians and motorists, particularly in the busy downtown,” Mayor Kathleen Miller Prunty said.