March 5. The Asbury Park Press reported this story today. Below is a link to read about this remarkable event. If you have any first-hand knowledge, photos or comments, please click on our comments button below or send an email to blogfinger@verizon.net.
Here is the link . Click on it, but don’t bang on your computer. Don’t kill the messenger.
Editorial: Mayor Brantley: Why weren’t we all informed by the town that this tow-truck sneak-attack was going to occur? The town should have announced loudly that they were going to actually implement the ordinance this time. This thing comes across like a covert operation. The Mayor hides behind the ordinance, but how about giving us a break Mayor? Did you really have to tow these cars after that puny snow storm ? How about some common sense at Town Hall?
Mayor: Do you actually know anybody who lives in Ocean Grove? We are people, not some abstract concept in your book of ordinances. How about coming to town today and explain to Grovers the erratic enforcement of ordinances and the bully tactics on your watch in our town. Grovers should march to the Mother Ship and occupy your office.
Fellow citizens: It’s really disappointing to me that no one informed us of this story. If just one person who was towed had contacted us, we could have had this story up two days ago and warned everyone about the invasion of the car snatchers. We can’t succeed as a reliable source of OG news without the help of the public!
——Paul Goldfinger, Editor
During discussion on proposed Ordinance that would provide for progressive fines for not clearing sidewalks after a snowfall the Township
Atty pointed out that in effect 24 hours was allowed before summons is issued. A warning is issued first and if not cleared by next day (24 hours) then summons may be issued.
Perhaps the township could add “sidewalks must be cleared within 24hrs” to their “car moving” message..seems a lot of “summer people” don’t know about this ordinance!
Warned In Time
How nice of you to give credit where credit is due.
ken
I’m coming a bit late to this discussion,but I’d like to speak in defense of the Township here. The last storm was not in fact the first time cars were towed this season. During one of the earlier, heavier storms, a very kind officer knocked on our door to ask if the car parked in front was ours, and advising us to move it in accordance with the town code. We are relatively new, part time, but more than summer residents.
This was the first time my husband had been down during a storm, and although he was aware of the snow rules, he had forgotten them when he parked our car in its normal place. The officer also asked whether my husband knew who owned a car parked in the wrong place on the next block – unfortunately he didn’t. Several hours later that car was towed; ours, thanks to that officer’s timely warning was safely ensconced in a legal spot.
I agree that it would be great if Neptune used Blogfinger to inform residents of this sort of thing, but I thought people here should know that at least in our neighborhood, the police displayed a neighborly and very welcome concern, while at the same time doing what needed to be done for the safety of all who live here.
By the way, we do indeed have arrangements to have our walks cleared during storms when we’re not here – it’s the neighborly thing to do!
OhGee: Of course you and the others who are happy that the town “finally” has punished the neighbors who violated the law are correct; there is no excuse for breaking the law. But, although we live our lives by the rule of law, there are other structures that we follow which determine our behavior besides government. And those would be family, religion, courtesy, common sense, and community among others that give us standards and values and which contribute to quality of life.
People enjoy small town living because of the idea that in a community we look after each other’s interest, such as those who shovel their neighbors sidewalks. In many small towns in America, citizens even call the police chief by his first name. Those who live in Ocean Grove tend to like that sort of old-fashioned sensibility. Of course, you can’t demand neighborliness, but you can strive for it.
So I believe it would have been better if the Mayor had asked that everyone in town be given a “heads up” in advance of the storm that a crackdown was about to occur and that fines and tickets and inconvenience would be the price of breaking the law. Granted that everyone should know the law, but why not temper it with a little kindness.
After all, it is very American to warn the neighbors that a government raid would occur. Remember Paul Revere?
Hooray for Neptune Township! Finally enforcing the ordinance! Just because they haven’t shown up on your block w/tow trucks in the middle of night before doesn’t make it ok to not follow the law. Whether its 2 inches of snow or 2 feet – . I move my car everytime I get the robocall and/or email. If you don’t have a phone or email, surely you have some method of receiving a weather forecast and should plan accordingly when there is prediction of snow.
As for the lady that was treated poorly at the tow yard, that is uncalled for. I hope she makes a complaint to the owner of the towing business & notifies the police chief too.
this ordinance is ancient, and very clearly states that the rule is in effect when roads are snow covered….this isn’t new, the cops used to just ticket for the past few years, but didn’t tow, unlike back in the day. I remember they used to tow on Main for the street sweeper ordinance. anyone whose lived in OG for more than a single snow storm has no excuse, to plead ignorance is ridiculous….
plus this gets warehoused cars off the streets because the owners aren’t around to move them
Also, this is new chief of police this winter
I think as citizens we have a responsibility to know the rules and cooperate with the township to allow them to plow our narrow streets. We should do this whether the law is enforced every time or not. Bravo to the mayor for waking up the “entitled” 22! Now next year let’s fine ALL of the homeowners who do not shovel their walks. It’s a community…we should show up and act like one.
Being dumb and/or lazy is not an acceptable excuse!
About 20 yrs ago I was up in the middle of the night shoveling a car out on the wrong side of the street.. Police gave us lots of notice to remove our cars.. Sign up for Neptune website
This was not the first time cars have been towed this season. I don’t have a land line any longer and I get the township calls on my cell so that is not an excuse either. There was no sure way to know which way this storm was going to go. We can’t second guess things like this. They made the decision to enforce the snow emergency parking and I applaud them for it! I think the sidewalk issue needs to be enforced also. It has been a difficult winter and enough is enough. There is no way to notify everyone involved about a new enforcement of that ordinance. If it was done by reverse 911 there would still be those that don’t get the call. Absentee homeowners are not here to deal with it but that does not excuse them from making arrangements to have their property maintained in a way that complies with the township ordinances.
I was towed from spray ave. I understand the concept but they never plow Spray avenue. Even with all the cars towed it was never plowed on Monday nor during any of the previous storms. To add insult to injury the towing employees of SRS towing behind the tinted bullet proof glass were mocking us and making insulting comments about our cars as we waited in the small lobby which reeked of dog urine. Go ahead enforce towing but then plow our streets please.
Cheers Oldtimer!
I would like to add that this is NOT the first time this season that cars were towed….and I’ve been very happy about it! My street is narrow as it is and last year we were skipped over by the plow due to some rude neighbors. I’ve seen cars towed on this block the past four snowstorms, and hope that this will finally get people to pay attention. (My only grievance was that the 4 am towing of 3 cars a few weeks ago woke me up! haha). I get a call and an email every time there is a storm. Ways to be informed exist if you try a little.
Now if only the sidewalks were cleared!
This year is the first year that I have seen any consistent enforcement of the law. I am all for it. The calls have gone out , the signs are up. Let people pay attention.
“Time to pay attention to the rules.” Ted, how was it determined that Monday was the time to start paying attention to the rules? There is nothing wrong with the parking rules or with towing, but it is the sudden implementation of the towing/ticketing that is the problem. A message should have been sent out that clearly warned that starting with the coming storm Neptune PD will be ticketing and towing–no exceptions. Because up until this storm, no one had reason to believe that they would be punished if they did not comply.
This is an email I received on March 2 from Neptune Twp. regarding the snow storm. Do you see any mention of towing or ticketing? Perhaps if that threat had been mentioned, there would have been better compliance with the ordinance. The town should bend over backwards to give the citizens the benefit of the doubt:
“This is a message from the Township of Neptune. A significant snowfall is projected to impact the area beginning this evening and continuing through midday tomorrow. Due to this, Snow Emergency Parking rules will go into effect at 6pm tonight, March 2nd. There will be no parking in posted areas or on the north and west sides of all other streets. Additionally there will be no garbage or recycling pick-up tomorrow, March 3rd, throughout the township. Thank you for your cooperation.”
As for the reverse 911 calls, I recall that they spoke of moving our cars, but I don’t know if they mentioned the threat of towing and ticketing.
I’m tired of all the cars that block the plows. Hurray for the Mayor. Now let’s get those folks who don’t clear the sidewalks.
Once again, it’s the inconsistency of enforcement that’s at the root of the problem. Same with the sidewalk clearing ordinance that was never enforced when it mattered most, during the big time snow events. I guess the lesson is that even if there’s only a possibility of snow, don’t take a chance, move your vehicle. Now, if they could do something about all the warehoused vehicles there might be more spaces to move to. (Had to get that out there, sorry).
Paul, we have been getting 2-3 calls each storm to move cars. Time to pay attention to the rules. I informed a young couple and other new neighbors to move their cars as they only have cell phones and didn’t get the calls. Fortunately Abbott Ave , at least this block, complied and the street was plowed and salted.
Thank you Neptune Twsp.