NJ City Will Toss $16 Million In Parking Ticket Fees – Here’s Why

EAST ORANGE, NJ — It’s not a “get out of jail free” card. But if you’re one of the drivers who got a parking ticket in East Orange from 2017 to 2021, there’s a good chance you can wriggle off the hook for the fine, Mayor Ted Green announced last week.

Green and other East Orange officials gathered for a news conference on Thursday to discuss the city’s decision to “recommend special consideration” for all outstanding parking tickets incurred between 2017-2021.

Violators will still have to go to court before a judge to resolve their ticket. But the move is a big step in the right direction, Green said, noting that East Orange is giving up nearly $16 million in fines.

City officials acknowledged in a statement that parking in East Orange has been “challenging” for decades, and longstanding parking regulations such as no overnight parking on certain residential streets and one-side parking on other streets has been a thorny issue for residents and visitors.

However, Green said that since he entered office, the city has been “working lockstep” with the East Orange Parking Authority to update parking rules and local infrastructure.

Among the most significant changes? The introduction of a prorated parking pass for those who require one. Previously, residents had to purchase a $150 parking pass ($75 for seniors and veterans) for the entire year no matter when the pass was purchased.

Another new change was waiving the requirement for affidavits from landlords on behalf of renters seeking parking permits, officials said.

“We know that the COVID pandemic took quite a financial toll on our residents and we have been working on solutions that will benefit those who need them the most,” Green said. “Parking in our city can be stressful, and if this initiative helps to reduce that stress and ease the financial burden on some of our residents, then it’s well worth it.”

However, Green added that drivers should not treat this one-time opportunity like a proverbial “get out of jail” free card.

“We’ve installed more parking signage, adjusted street sweeping hours and lifted overnight parking restrictions on many heavily-populated streets,” Green said. “This effort is an opportunity for people to clean their slate and start fresh on adhering to the rules of our roads.”

The announcement spurred dozens of comments on social media, not all of whom agreed with the mayor’s take on the situation. Seen online:

• “Everyone who own or rent should be able to get a parking pass … crazy to park in front of your own home paying all that tax and get a ticket … sad.”
• “Finally they are addressing the parking situation.”
• “How about you make a universal parking pass that’ll suffice for ALL wards.”
• “Yea I own my home and if I have guests they can't park on my block that I pay a lot of taxes for overnight, every night when they don’t do street cleaning every day. It should be alternate sides or certain days for street cleaning like most major cities. I pay a lot of taxes and can't even park in front of my own home. It makes absolutely no sense. Or at least let homeowners purchase a pass for a small fee to have their visitors park.”
• “Very good initiative. My concern is during court hours majority of us have to work. I will be very frustrated if the judge states that I am not allowed to get the abatement.”
• “East Orange needs more parking spaces for residents that live and pay taxes. You have to pay to park for the Post Office, Library and City Hall. Those parking spaces should be free when you are taking care of business.”
• “Imagine paying taxes where you live, only to be paying for parking monthly. And if you miss a day, you get ticketed. This is absolutely ridiculous East Orange City Hall. Y’all really need to do better to support the residents of this city.”
• “Truly wonderful that Mayor Ted R. Green is addressing this issue! Happy to see Police Chief Phyllis Bindi and all the wonderful city officials in attendance also. This is a wonderful step in helping all residents in East Orange.”
• “What about 2022/2023?”

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.