The lack of public parking spaces in areas of Prince George’s and Fairfax counties has become a challenge for residents, so many have decided to place cones to reserve space.
However, the authorities warn that this is illegal and that it could have consequences.
“If you move the cones, you get into trouble with people,” said a neighbor who preferred to remain anonymous.
Placing objects on public roads is against county ordinances. In Prince George’s it is prohibited for a person to use public parking spaces for the storage of garbage containers or equipment or materials of any kind.
Neither can public parking lots be used to carry out maintenance or repair work on vehicles. The resident who fails to comply with this rule is exposed to a fine of $100.
In Fairfax, these objects are considered by the authorities as waste and it is also illegal to place them on public roads. The authorities can conduct investigations to determine the responsibilities of each case.
“The problem is that here in the parking lots, they only give out a sticker in the apartment parking lots. Here everyone has a car: one to go out and another to work,” said the neighbor.
In an attempt to resolve the conflict, the Prince George’s Department of Permits and Inspections holds drives to remove these cones and objects from the streets.
Fairfax Police told Telemundo 44 that when neighbors report this practice, they send officers to remove the cones, adding that the Department of Transportation is also making efforts to remove the objects from the street.
The authorities also urge the community to report these cases.
