RESOLUTION
BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT COLLINS-BELLAMY, MAJORITY LEADER RUBBO, MAJORITY WHIP NORMAN, MINORITY LEADER BREEN, COUNCILMEMBERS PINEDA-ISAAC, DIAZ, AND HODGES:
title
REQUESTING THE NEW YORK STATE LEGISLATURE TO ENACT LEGISLATION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF YONKERS TO UTILIZE SMART PARKING MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY FOR ENFORCEMENT PURPOSES
body
Whereas, Traffic congestion and illegal parking, particularly in bus stops and other restricted areas, significantly impede traffic flow, public transit operations, emergency response, and pedestrian safety in the City of Yonkers; and
Whereas, The City of Yonkers, in partnership with the Yonkers Police Department, the Parking Violations Bureau, initiated a no-cost pilot program utilizing “SafetySticks,” smart solar-powered devices designed to detect and record instances of illegal parking in eight critical locations such as bus stops and near fire hydrants; and
WHEREAS, The current pilot program deployed eight SafetySticks at known congestion points throughout the City solely for data collection and resource allocation purposes, with no automated enforcement or ticketing taking place; and
WHEREAS, Data collected during the pilot program demonstrated that illegal parking occurs throughout the day in Yonkers, with approximately 43 percent of violations occurring after 5:00PM, a time when traditional enforcement resources are often more limited; and
WHEREAS, The duration of observed illegal parking violations ranges from as little as five minutes to as long as one hour and twenty minutes, contributing to prolonged roadway obstruction and traffic congestion; and
WHEREAS, Approximately one-third of all recorded violations occur on Saturdays and Sundays, underscoring the need for consistent and efficient parking management beyond normal weekday business hours; and
WHEREAS, While most violators are registered in New York State, vehicles from eleven other states were detected, demonstrating the regional nature of the congestion problem and the need for objective, technology-based enforcement tools; and
WHEREAS, SafetySticks and similar technologies have been used in other jurisdictions to improve traffic flow, protect bus operations, maintain access for emergency services, and enhance overall street safety, and
WHEREAS, The use of automated or technology-assisted parking enforcement can reduce direct confrontations between motorists and City enforcement personnel, thereby helping to avoid harassment, confrontation, and assaults against police officers and parking enforcement officers while promoting safer working conditions; and
WHEREAS, Authorization for the use of such enforcement technologies for ticketing purposes in New York State requires express enabling legislation from the State Legislature; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Yonkers hereby requests that the New York Legislature introduce and pass legislation authorizing the City of Yonkers to utilize SafetySticks and similar smart parking management technologies, including for future enforcement purposes if so adopted by the City, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council requests the City Clerk to forward a copy of this Resolution to the Legislature of the State of New York requesting the introduction and passage of the legislation.