WPCNR THE PARKING NEWS. By John F. Bailey. August 21, 2010:

White Plains residents can no longer count on "automatic" permission from police to park overnight on White Plains Streets between 2 and 6 A.M, simply by calling in the car's license number to the police.

The White Plains Department of Public Safety is no longer guaranteeing that residents who call the Police Department requesting  permission to take advantage of the long-standing practice requesting permission for overnight guests or whatever reason to park a car on the street overnight will have their requests granted, Police Chief James Bradley confirmed in a written statement to WPCNR Saturday morning.

The Chief in a statement, said the new policy  is due to “overwhelming” requests for a waiver of the No Parking between 2 and 6 A.M. experienced by the police lately.

WPCNR received a report from a resident who was seeking permission for a friend of theirs who was they reported unable to drive. The resident said they were told by the police officer they spoke with, that residents no longer had the option of requesting permission to park a car on the street overnight, no matter what the circumstances.

WPCNR went to Police Chief James Bradley to clarify the policy since WPCNR knows of persons who did receive permission to park over night within the last three weeks.

The answer is you may or may not be granted permission depending on the circumstances. And if you do not receive permission you may receive a $25 Ticket. The reason, according to Police Chief James Bradley is the Department of Public Safety Night Desk is being “overwhelmed” with such requests recently.

The new policy: A pass on Overnight Parking will only be granted for “unexpected” emergencies.

According to Chief Bradley:

   "We are advising callers that exceptions to the ordinance are for unexpected emergencies.

We have been overwhelmed with callers who are not aware of that and believe the call itself guarantees that a summons will not be issued. We also try to point out the availability of legal parking in the area of the caller.

    We have been receiving calls from residents and neighborhood associations about uneven enforcement.

We understand that unexpected events will necessitate our assistance and we will continue to work with our residents and certainly we would not direct an incapacitated driver to move their vehicle. "

The ordinance forbidding parking on the street between 2 and 6 A.M. was originally put into affect to keep streets clear of cars for snow removal. For years residents have been able to call the police Department Front Desk on an evening and  give a license number of a vehicle requesting perfmission. When this reporter has asked for it, usually for overnight guests, or a vehicle breakdown in a rare circumstance, it has always been granted.

Residents should be advised that this is now no longer the case, and should not “count” on it.