New York City motorists were required to adhere to alternate-side parking regulations on the 25th anniversary of the September 11th attacks, a decision that has drawn criticism from drivers and online commenters. Alternate-side parking, which is typically suspended for major religious and cultural observances and holidays, was in effect during the city's commemorations of the deadliest day in its history.
Drivers who fail to move their vehicles during designated hours to allow for street cleaning risk receiving tickets. The requirement means many drivers face the challenge of finding alternative parking, often involving circling for extended periods.
Online, some users described the situation as "insane and disrespectful," with one X user noting that "some retired first responders are crying their eyes out and have to move a car." Another commenter stated, "Couldn’t even have the decency to suspend alternate-side and meter parking for 9/11."
Mayor Zohran Mamdani had previously signed an executive order establishing an annual citywide Day of Remembrance and Service on September 11th, but this did not include a suspension of parking rules. According to a Department of Sanitation representative, temporary suspensions of alternate-side parking are typically recommended only when street cleaning is infeasible, such as during snow or ice conditions.
This is not the first time alternate-side parking has remained in effect on September 11th. Sanitation Department records indicate that no mayor has previously suspended these regulations for the anniversary. A representative from the city's Department of Transportation stated that suspension dates are determined by legislation.
City Councilwoman Amanda Farías introduced a bill in January that would permanently suspend alternate-side parking every September 11th. However, the bill has not yet received a hearing before the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, despite Farías’s requests for it to be scheduled. A spokesperson for the Speaker's Office cited a 2024 hearing on a similar bill, where the then-Adams administration argued that the city already had too many suspension days. A DSNY representative emphasized the importance of street cleanliness, stating, "No one wants their street to be dirty. Every New Yorker wants and expects a clean street, and the mechanical broom is the best tool for that outcome." The committee's next scheduled hearing is September 30th, and the bill was not on the agenda for the preceding Friday.
People visit the National September 11 Memorial & Museum on Friday at Ground Zero in Lower Manhattan to mark the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks.
