With the recent heavy snowfall and more snow expected this week, the LaPorte Police Department would like to remind all citizens that if they park their vehicles on a city street, the vehicle must be removed at least once every 24 hours to allow for snowplowing and other street maintenance.
Residents are required to move their vehicles a sufficient distance to allow the street to be plowed, or in the summertime, to allow the street sweeper to be used.
Officers are aggressively enforcing this ordinance and are issuing 24-hour violation warnings (orange tickets) to vehicles that appear to be in violation. Citizens have 24 hours from the time the warning is issued to move their vehicles, otherwise a parking ticket will be issued and the vehicle will be towed at the owner’s expense. The fine for the parking ticket for a 24-hour violation is $10; however, the tow bill may cost more than $150 depending on the type of vehicle and the hour of day that the tow is done. So, a 24-hour violation can be quite expensive and police would rather have voluntary compliance from everyone than to have to issue tickets and tow vehicles.
If a street becomes impassable due to vehicles parking too far from the curb because of snow, officers have been directed to resolve the situation immediately.
If the mayor or street superintendent declares a snow emergency, it becomes illegal for any vehicle to be parked on a street designated to be an emergency snow route. LaPorte Police may tow vehicles without warning if necessary in an emergency situation to make the street passable for fire trucks, ambulances and other equipment.
Citizens are also reminded that they are required by ordinance to remove, or employ someone to remove, snow from their sidewalks within 24 hours.
It is also illegal, and dangerous, to plow snow from private property into the street.
“Going beyond the ordinances, we are just asking people to be careful and be considerate of their neighbors and others, because this type of weather is rough on everyone. We can make this weather situation as safe and easy on everyone as possible if we all work together,” a police press release states.
