Providence enforcing parking ban, towing cars

 By: Melissa Randall
mrandall@abc6.com

The treacherous conditions on local roadways Monday made getting around a challenge for even seasoned New England drivers. The snow covered streets quickly turned slick as the storm changed to sleet and rain. Adding to the problem, at least in Providence, dozens of cars were left parked on the sides of roads despite a ban being in place.

Diana Vargas of Providence picked up her uncles car at Nick’s towing on Bradford St. She says her family didn’t know about the ban, which the city is aggressively enforcing for this storm. The parking ban went into effect at 2 AM. More than 100 cars in the city were ticketed by police and towed away.

“I know it’s an inconvenience. I know it’s a struggle to find alternative parking for those permit holders, but if we can’t clean the streets we can’t get back to regular cost of business,” said Steven Pare, Providence’s Public Safety Commissioner.

The timing of the storm added to Pare’s urgency.

“We have a window here of about 12 hours to remove this snow and slush because if not by midnight or 5 in the morning tomorrow this is going to turn to an ice and a freeze,”  he said.

Tow truck driver Bill McGrady says his company hauled away about 30 of the illegally parked cars.

“What happens is everybody complains that providence never does a good job and it’s not the plow guys. It’s the people that park their car on the streets,” he said.

With the vehicles gone snow removal was able to begin, and emergency crews could pass through if necessary.

Vargas is now faced with a $106 bill for the tow and store and a $100 fine from police. Vargas says she’s learned her lesson for the next time it snows.

Nearly 1,000 Providence residents have on street parking permits. The ban will remain in effect until further notice.

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