Jacob Brown
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) sent a letter to the New York Police Department (NYPD) last month warning that parking cars in the middle of sidewalks around precincts violates the American with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Potential Legal Action:
The letter, dated March 29 and issued by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District Damian Williams, stated that if compliance is not secured voluntarily, the Attorney General may initiate a lawsuit under the ADA.
The NYPD had two weeks to respond to the DOJ’s concerns and indicate their interest in resolving the issue. As of Sunday, April 21, the NYPD stated they are reviewing the letter.
Accessibility Concerns:
According to the DOJ, the frequent obstruction of sidewalks and crosswalks near precincts by police vehicles makes the city’s pedestrian grid not “readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities.”
Remedies Proposed:
The DOJ outlined several remedies for the NYPD to comply with the ADA, including implementing a new parking policy for city vehicles, modifying training programs for traffic enforcement officers, establishing a complaint system for reporting illegal parking and providing regular updates to the Southern District of New York (SDNY).
