NEW BEDFORD — The New Bedford parking ban has been lifted. Residents parking on school lots are asked to move as soon as possible so they can be cleared.
Holly Huntoon, New Bedford Police media relations specialist, said the volume of 911 calls received regarding towed vehicles and the parking ban had slowed on Jan. 26.
Due to the high volume of calls Sunday, Jan. 25, the NBPD posted on social media that 911 is for emergencies only and not appropriate for calls regarding towed vehicles and ban issues.
Police say if you are calling to locate a towed vehicle, call the non-emergency line at 508-991-6300 — you must have your license plate number ready and location from which it was towed.
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Huntoon said there were a total of 466 tows and 2,054 citations given out during the parking ban.
Mayor Jon Mitchell urged residents to comply with the parking ban during a Jan. 23 press conference on storm preparation. He said a 4-to-6-inch storm the previous weekend had yielded 179 towed vehicles and 1,200 citations.
Police are also reminding residents that by city ordinance snow and ice may not be shoveled or placed back into the roadway or onto sidewalks as this creates serious public safety hazards. It has also historically been a source of frustration and neighborhood disputes, they say.
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• If someone took the time to shovel out a spot, don’t be that person who swoops in and takes it. Just because you can park there doesn’t mean you should. That kind of behavior is not neighborly and often leads to unnecessary arguments.
The NBPD post added, “The spirit of New Bedford has always been about helping one another and getting through tough moments together. A little patience, courtesy, and common sense go a long way during snow emergencies. Find someone that needs a helping hand … and lend it.”
Mayor Mitchell cited an example of that spirit in a social media post.
He said plows couldn’t get down Reynolds Street because cars remained parked on both sides. “But that didn’t stop neighbors from shoveling the way for a pregnant woman, who said she is due Thursday, to move her car. Thank you for stepping up for someone in need.”

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