New York City Council candidate and education advocate, David G. Greenfield is working with NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan to solve the Shabbos parking meter problem that has resulted in the issuance of a flurry of tickets to Boro Park residents. In response to Greenfield’s inquiry to the DOT on this matter, Commissioner Sadik-Khan wrote a letter to Greenfield in which she assured him that the DOT is currently studying his proposed solution and examining its possible implementation.Parking meters throughout Boro Park are in effect until 7:00 pm on Friday, even though in the winter months, Shabbos begins as early as 4:00 pm. Once Shabbos starts, observant Jewish drivers are prohibited by Jewish Law from feeding the meter. Even if they feed the meter at 5:00 pm (the approximate start of Shabbos during several weeks in the winter months), they are only allowed to pay for one hour, resulting in parking tickets that they are unable to prevent.
Greenfield and DOT Commissioner Sadik-Khan are working on Greenfield’s plan that would install muni-meters along affected avenues with a Shabbos setting that would allow drivers to pay for parking through 7:00 pm (up to three hours in advance) on Friday only. The plan is currently being reviewed by the DOT Parking Operations Division.
“Your participation in transportation issues which affect your community is greatly appreciated,” said Commissioner Sadik-Khan in her letter to Greenfield. “We appreciate your interest and look forward to working with you on this issue.”
“I commend DOT Commissioner Sadik-Khan for pledging to working with this community to create a solution that respects our religious obligations,” said Greenfield. “When we work together, we can establish creative solutions to common problems.”
{Noam Amdurski-Matzav.com Newscenter}
Sorry I don’t get the problem.
Everyone gambled that they wouldn’t get tickets and lost just like everyone double parks in bp when there is alternate side of the street parking….you can get a ticket but most of the time the traffic agents will look the other way (unless someone is blocked in and calls a traffic agent to ticket the the double parked car and then Everyone up and down the block gets a ticket – I have SEEN this happen in BP.) The real problem is that the BP has to many cars and no place to park them!
I wrote a letter to the president about Israel and got a response. Can I get a story on Matzav saying, “President working with … to solve mideast peace problem” . Maybe I can get a nobel prize out of it.
In other words I don’t see why this is a news story.