Exclusive | NYC drivers hit with record number of tickets in parking scam — and this borough is worst

City drivers in New York City faced a record number of tickets last year for illegally using traffic cones to reserve parking spots. The Sanitation Department issued 533 traffic-cone-obstruction violations in 2025, following a staggering 7,208 complaints made to 311. This marked a significant increase from previous years, with almost a 6% rise from 2024, nearly doubling from 2023, and a nine-fold increase from 2022.

The parking dispute escalated to the point where a mother and daughter were caught on video attacking a college student over a parking spot that had been “reserved” by a neighbor with a garbage can in Ridgewood. Residents like Rob Ennis from Glendale, Queens, expressed frustration over the misuse of traffic cones, leading to conflicts over legal parking spots.

In Ridgewood, a 42-year-old resident named JM revealed that he had encountered instances of handicap walkers being used to reserve parking spaces and admitted to considering using traffic cones himself. He highlighted the struggle of finding parking spots, noting that sometimes he had no choice but to park in front of a fire hydrant due to overcrowding in the area.

Queens accounted for over 70% of the city’s traffic-cone violations in 2025, with 380 summonses issued there. Councilwoman Joann Ariola attributed the increase in illegal parking to lax enforcement and limited parking space, with bike lanes and parking regulations further reducing available spots.

Despite the frustrations faced by drivers, some expressed sympathy for those using traffic cones to save parking spots. A 21-year-old Queens driver named Alex acknowledged the challenges of parking in the area and understood why some resorted to using cones. However, others like plumber Flori Kasa took matters into their own hands by moving the cones to secure parking spaces.

While the Sanitation Department considers traffic cones placed on sidewalks or streets as illegal obstructions, enforcement can be challenging as owners must acknowledge ownership of the cones for summonses to be issued. Despite over 25,000 cone-related complaints since 2020, violations were only issued in about 5% of cases. The department emphasized the need for owners to claim the cones before fines could be imposed for street obstruction.

The ongoing battle over parking spots in New York City continues to be a source of contention, with drivers resorting to creative tactics like using traffic cones to secure coveted spaces. As the city grapples with limited parking options and increasing congestion, finding a solution to this issue remains a priority for both residents and authorities.