Officials in Quincy, Massachusetts used fake parking tickets during a winter storm as a warning tactic aimed at keeping city streets clear for snow removal.
City workers placed the mock tickets on windshields of vehicles left parked on streets under snow emergency restrictions. The notices closely resembled real parking citations but carried no fines, penalties, or legal consequences.
City leaders said the fake tickets were intended to remind drivers of parking rules in effect during winter storms and to encourage voluntary compliance before stricter enforcement steps were taken. The Quincy Police Department worked with public works crews as part of the city’s coordinated storm response.
Officials said parked vehicles can block plows, slow snow removal, and create safety risks on narrow or high-traffic streets. Each vehicle left behind can force plows to reroute, leaving portions of roadways uncleared and reducing visibility for drivers.
The printed notices directed residents to move their vehicles and use off-street parking options when available. City officials noted that alerts about snow emergency parking bans had already been issued through local media, city websites, and social platforms.
Crews reported that some drivers moved their vehicles after seeing the warnings, allowing additional plowing in affected areas. Officials said the approach may continue during future storms if it improves compliance and roadway access.
