Robert Flanders, the receiver for the city of Central Falls, told NBC 10 News on Tuesday that he is immediately suspending the overnight parking ban.
"I'm going to suspend the enforcement of the ordinance until we can get more information about what alternatives might be possible," he said.
Maj. James Medonca said 75 tickets were issued Tuesday morning to those whose cars were left on the streets between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. He said 32 of the violators were Central Falls residents. Others were from out-of-state or other Rhode Island municipalities.
The violation carries a $40 fine. Several unregistered cars were towed, Mendonca said.
Flanders said the tickets that were given out will stand, but that no further tickets will be issued.
"I have asked the police department to not issue any further tickets until we can take a look at this," he said.
The ban was approved last month by the state-appointed receiver who oversees Central Falls' operations. It went into effect Jan. 2 but violators were given only warnings at first.
Residents packed a City Council meeting Monday night to complain about the ban. They call it inconvenient and say it raises safety concerns for people forced to park in city lots and walk several blocks home at night.
Flanders said that the City Council held a public hearing to enact the ordinance but that there was very little turnout. He said now that it's being enforced, there's more of an outcry.
Flanders said he wants to take a new approach with the ordinance and consider alternate side of the street parking.
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