(TheLastPatriotNews.com) The parking of NYPD vehicles obstructing pedestrian pathways near precincts has garnered scrutiny at the federal level. President Joe Biden’s administration has warned the department it will file a lawsuit against it unless the practice is discontinued voluntarily.
The practice, prevalent around NYPD precincts, involves parking police vehicles in such a way that they impede sidewalks, NBC New York points out in a report.
The U.S. Department of Justice has sent a letter to the NYPD, highlighting that such parking practices might infringe upon the rights afforded under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
This communication was first brought to public attention by Streetsblog NYC, which reported on the contents of the DOJ’s warning.
The correspondence from Damian Williams, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District, contained a stark caution.
“In the event we determine that we cannot secure compliance voluntarily to correct the deficiencies identified in this letter, the Attorney General may initiate a lawsuit pursuant to the ADA,” the DOJ warned.
Dated March 29, the letter stipulated a fortnight for the NYPD to respond, signaling an opportunity for the department to express its willingness to address and rectify the outlined concerns.
In response to inquiries regarding their action towards this legal warning, an NYPD spokesperson commented to News 4 on April 21, stating, “We are reviewing the letter.”
Further exacerbating concerns, the office of Damian Williams reports that the NYPD’s persistent obstruction of pedestrian access near precincts disrupts the city’s pedestrian grid, rendering it inaccessible to individuals with disabilities.
This has become a notable issue as it directly impacts the day-to-day mobility of disabled persons throughout the city.
Moreover, a recent study highlighted within the DOJ’s letter reveals a troubling statistic: 91% of precincts across the five boroughs have instances where police vehicles block public sidewalks and crosswalks. Such widespread non-compliance suggests a systemic issue within the department’s parking policies.
To rectify these violations, the DOJ has proposed several corrective measures.
They recommend that the NYPD adopt a new parking protocol for city vehicles, amend training programs for traffic enforcement officers, and establish a mechanism through which the public can report instances of unlawful parking.
Additionally, they suggest that the NYPD should provide regular updates to the Southern District of New York on its progress in these areas, ensuring that steps are taken to comply with ADA requirements and to enhance accessibility for all city residents.
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