SafetyStix Cameras Issue 22 Daily Tickets In Cranford Parking Crackdown

CRANFORD, NJ — A new parking enforcement system in Cranford is already issuing an average of 22 violations per day, according to township officials who say the technology is aimed at improving safety in busy downtown areas.

The update on the “SafetyStix” program was provided during the June 8 Township Committee meeting, several weeks after the devices were first activated in late April in designated no-parking zones.

Deputy Mayor and Commissioner of Public Safety Paul A. Gallo said six devices have been operating since April 26 and are now being used by the township’s traffic division to help enforce existing parking rules.

“As a reminder, if spaces are not lined, it’s always been a violation not to park at such a location,” Gallo said. “Additionally, it’s a violation to park within 10 feet of a fire hydrant or 25 feet of an intersection or crosswalk. Unfortunately, we haven’t had a meaningful way with which to enforce the number of violations, so this is where the SafetyStix come in to assist.”

Officials have said the goal of the program is to address parking behaviors that can create blind spots for drivers and safety risks for pedestrians, particularly near intersections, hydrants, and crosswalks.

The SafetyStix units use solar power along with radar and camera technology to detect vehicles parked in restricted areas. According to township officials, the system captures an initial image when a vehicle is detected and then takes a second image about 90 seconds later to confirm it is still there.

Gallo said the system is not designed to issue tickets automatically.

“None of the issued parking violations are done so automatically,” Gallo said. “Our traffic division officers log into the system, review, and issue a violation via mail, with supporting backup included.”

He also said the system is limited to areas where parking is already prohibited.

“They’re not monitoring how long you’ve been in a space or anything like that,” Gallo said. “It’s only to enforce the already existing ‘can’t park’ regulations that are there.”

The SafetyStix rollout was first introduced earlier this year as part of a broader effort to improve pedestrian visibility and maintain emergency access in high-traffic downtown areas. Officials said the program was installed in locations where parking violations had previously been identified as a concern.

Early enforcement data now shows an average of 22 violations per day, a figure township officials say they expect to change as drivers become more familiar with the system and existing rules.

“As time goes by, I really expect some of the violations to decrease,” Gallo said. “Which is the point of the system, to be a deterrent for the parking violations.”