WMBCTV: Snow-Covered Streets Spark Strict Parking Crackdown to Protect Emergency Access
- Feb 25
- 2 min read
With roads slowly being cleared by plows working through neighborhoods, authorities are reminding residents that snow cleanup comes with strict safety rules designed to keep streets passable for drivers and first responders. Under local borough ordinance, parking is prohibited on both sides of all streets and the restriction remains in place even after the snow stops falling, until plowing operations are complete and roads and curbsides are cleared enough to allow normal traffic flow.
“There’s no parking on any street in town that’s snow-covered,” said Lieutenant Thomas Egan, Little Ferry Police Department. The reason for that obviously is we want the plows to get through to make the street accessible for our first responders if there’s any medical, fire or police necessary calls.”
Officers say even one parked car can prevent plows from clearing curb-to-curb, leaving narrowed lanes and packed snow that can quickly turn to ice. Those conditions can slow emergency response. Snowbanks reduce visibility at intersections, icy pavement increases stopping distance and narrowed streets can make it difficult for fire trucks and ambulances to maneuver.
“Well, any time you have conditions like these where the snow falls a few inches an hour, it’s an impossible task to keep up with,” said Lieutenant Thomas Egan, Little Ferry Police Department. Mother nature always wins so we just try to keep is as clear as possible so when the fire trucks - which are obviously much larger than your regular vehicle - we want as much leeway so everyone can get there in a timely fashion and we can reach the calls we need to whether it’s a first-aid call or some type of critical incident we have to respond to.”
Police say any unoccupied vehicle left parked on a snow-covered street may be towed at the owner’s expense, including removal and storage fees.
“They can be tickets and it can be towed,” said Lieutenant Thomas Egan, Little Ferry Police Department. We’ll try our best to avoid doing that but these are roads we need cleared so a fire truck, an ambulance, a police car can get down there safely, especially with the case of an ambulance. We’ve had a few first-aid calls and a few accidents already.”
Police are also urging residents to clear snow around nearby fire hydrants. A buried hydrant can delay firefighters during a potential structure fire, forcing crews to locate and dig out access before connecting hoses. While the Department of Public Works is responsible for clearing streets and public sidewalks, officials say resident cooperation is essential to keeping neighborhoods accessible and emergency routes open. With that said, medical professionals urge residents to use extreme caution with undue physical examination at this time - especially those who have heart or other medical issues. Seek help if you need it to stay safe.
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