Milwaukee issues 931 citations for vehicles violation four-inch rule
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- According to the City of Milwaukee DPW, 931 citations were issued for vehicles violating the four-inch parking rule in the city as of 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 27th. These vehicles will not be towed, but will receive a $40 citation. This, as southeastern Wisconsin continues to dig out from Tuesday's snowfall that continued into Wednesday.
A snow emergency has been declared for the City of Milwaukee beginning at 5:00 p.m. Wednesday and continuing through 5:00 a.m. Thursday.
As far as parking is concerned, on streets labeled "No Parking During Snow Emergency" drivers will not be ticketed until 11:00 p.m. -- in order to give them time to find alternate parking.
Wednesday afternoon, Milwaukee DPW had 300 pieces of equipment on the roads, clearing the snow away. Crews were 87% done clearing the main streets and 77% done clearing side streets in Milwaukee.
At 6:00 p.m. Thursday, DPW crews will begin clearing bus stop areas.
Winnie Zembrowski has lived on Milwaukee's east side since 1963 -- so she's fairly familiar with the frustration involved with finding a place to park -- especially when it snows.
"Oh, I feel so sorry for the people. And, it’s almost like, I don’t blame them. They take up wherever they can get a place, but it’s very bad for the snow plow," Zembrowski said.
Standing outside of her Fresh Design floral shop, Sue Shunta said she understands the reason for the restrictions.
"I assume it’s so they can get the plows through, to get the streets cleaned up nicely. I always appreciate the plowing," Shunta said.
Parking by the rules helped Shunta avoid becoming one of nearly 1,000 who have received tickets for violating the four-inch rule as of 12:30 Wednesday afternoon.
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Pat Hayes is all too familiar with the frustration of snow emergency parking and the consequences of forgetting to move your car.
"The East Side is notoriously difficult for parking already anyway. I sort of admire the people that live in newer buildings than mine and have parking garages. They`ll come in with a flat bed and they`ll take out two two three cars at a time," Hayes said.
To avoid a ticket or a tow, the owners of cars parked in snow emergency zones must find a new place to park between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
Lauren Creasy and Jace Fenton found a parking spot on the Maryland School playground.
"It`s so difficult to find where we`re supposed to park. We spent probably a half an hour on the internet trying to find like places we can park for free overnight," Fenton said.
This is one of several schools across the city where the snow emergency means the playgrounds are now free parking lots, at least from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
The city's four-inch rule is in effect, where indicated by signs. As of Wednesday afternoon, more than 1,000 people had already received the $40 tickets.
Hayes has been watching people dig out all day.
"I always love watching some of the students who live in the area with all the kitchen utensils they bring out and buckets and things to dig out their cars," Hayes said.
CLICK HERE for City of Milwaukee parking information.