In recent days, many folks were finally able to get their cars out from under the snow, but there was widespread anxiety regarding where to park when they returned to town. Some people decided to place chairs or garbage pails to save their spaces. For many, the decision was complicated, while for others it was simple.
So we at Blogfinger.net decided to do a poll. It is different from the one which we ran in the summer, because the number of parking spaces were not reduced then. In addition, at this time, one had to factor in that people paid money to clear their spaces or they worked hard themselves to do so.
One commenter on the blog said that she hoped there would be a “special place in hell” for anyone who would take “her” space.
This poll is basically a “yes or no” deal, but you can comment below if you want to expand on how you feel. We ask for the honor system: don’t read the comments or look at the results until after you vote.
Note that our polls are not scientific, but they are fun.
Thanks, Paul Goldfinger @Blogfinger. 2026, the poll is closed.
We had been under the impression that there is no law against placing a cone or other object at the curb to save a parking space. This issue comes up every summer and during every serious snowfall. Of course, no one has the right to save a space, so anyone could come along, remove the cone, and pull right in. Only a few, however, would have the nerve to do that, for a variety of reasons. We also have been under the impression that the police would not care about this issue and would not likely respond to such a complaint.
So, while at a recent OG social event, I discovered that some citizens were disagreeing about this issue, and they asked me. I offered my usual opinion, but I promised to check with the NTPD.
Today I spoke to Lt. Michael Zarro who is the Traffic Officer for NTPD. He said that saving a space with an object in the road was a violation. Nothing is allowed in the road except the usual suspects—vehicles (parked or moving.) And that evidently applies to cones or garbage pails at the curb placed there for reasons other than the legitimate ones, such as a crater pothole, construction, or a pail full of garbage waiting for the trash men.
But enough trash talk…..Lt. Zarro said that his officers will respond if someone calls with a complaint. They will remove the object and they may actually place it into custody, so don’t use your wife to save a space. I gather that they may not intervene if no one complains, but I wouldn’t count on it. It looks like our understanding on this was wrong.
Of course, we know that Grovers are very creative about saving spaces through the innovative spacing of their vehicles. That is not against the law.
We did have a Blogfinger conversation about this subject in 2013, and there are some very good comments (35 responses) to read in order to get some insight about your neighbors. During that discussion some did say that conification of parking spaces is illegal. A BF poll in 2015 found that 70% of respondents thought it was OK to save a space.
So if you decide to create a cone zone in front of your house, you may have an issue that you were not anticipating and you may have to face the music. And if you want to speak to Lt. Zarro, he invites you to call him at 732 988 8000, ext 433. (This is still the number to call the current 2026 traffic officer.
