The New York City Department of Sanitation announced on Wednesday that it will again place bright green stickers on the windows of vehicles that remain parked during scheduled street‑cleaning times. The measure targets drivers who fail to move their cars in accordance with the city’s alternate‑side parking rules, which are designed to keep thoroughfares clear for sanitation crews.
Under the revived program, sanitation officers will affix a conspicuous green sticker to any vehicle whose window is visible while the car is parked in a prohibited zone during a cleaning operation. The stickers serve as a visual record that the driver did not comply with the required move‑away period. The department says the approach is intended to deter future violations by making non‑compliance immediately apparent.
The city’s street‑cleaning schedule, which rotates across boroughs and neighborhoods, relies on drivers moving their cars to allow trucks to sweep and collect debris. When vehicles remain in place, the process is delayed and the streets stay dirty longer. By reinstating the green‑sticker system, officials hope to reinforce the alternate‑side parking regulations without resorting to immediate tickets.
The Department of Sanitation noted that the green stickers were previously used in earlier years and are now being brought back as part of a broader effort to improve compliance. The visual cue is expected to prompt drivers to check parking signs more carefully and move their cars when required. The city will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the stickers as a deterrent and may adjust enforcement tactics based on observed results.
Residents and commuters are encouraged to observe the alternate‑side parking signs and to relocate their vehicles promptly during the posted cleaning windows to avoid receiving a green sticker and possible subsequent penalties.