Ridgewood Halts Parking Meter Enforcement After Blowback

The Parking Enforcement Authority was out in Ridgewood Thursday issuing tickets to storm-weary citizens who didn't pay the meters. Ultimately, the village decided to pull the plug on the plan and will not be ticketing for the rest of the week.

Ridgewood-Glen Rock Patch reported Thursday afternoon that the village had told parking enforcement that they would be out ticketing on Thursday. Most actually paid the meters but several tickets were issued, village sources and eyewitnesses told Patch.

Parking enforcement officers have been reassigned to help with the cleanup effort, multiple sources told Patch.

"In light of the challenges faced by residents, the Village Manager has decided not to enforce meter violations this week," Mayor Paul Aronsohn told Patch Thursday night. "Providing some relief is the right thing to do. As such, I can assure you that no parking tickets for meter violations will be issued on Friday or Saturday. We want to help people during this difficult moment, not to create more problems for them."

With the village being among the few downtowns completely unscathed by the devastating effects of Sandy, thousands have descended on the CBD from all corners of Bergen and Passaic County.

Angered residents took to Facebook to slam the village's initial decision.

"I've always said they are awful for asking us to pay to park and shop or eat, considering all the businesses that have gone under," Jennifer Box Knight wrote. "Shame on them, even more now. Business owners should be furious and make it known."

Said Glen Rock resident Alison Shapiro Miller: "This angers me so much! People have died in the storm and this is what they do? Go help someone instead. Proud to be a Glen Rocker!"