Pittsburgh police are towing, ticketing vehicles parked illegally

Pittsburgh police have started ticketing and towing vehicles parked illegally Downtown as the city prepares for the easing of coronavirus restrictions under the yellow phase.

Officers are focusing on flagrant violations, according to Commander Mike Pilyih of the Zone 2 station. They’re also issuing verbal warnings to motorists parked illegally.

“Officers are already citing and towing the most flagrant violators to include vehicles that block fire hydrants, wheelchair access, intersections or entire lanes,” Pilyih said Monday in a statement.

The police bureau is not enforcing parking meters, which remain under the jurisdiction of the Pittsburgh Parking Authority, according to the city’s Public Safety Department. The authority suspended meter enforcement in March. On Thursday, it furloughed more than 30 enforcement officers.

“Parking restrictions were relaxed in March following the governor’s stay-at-home order, but the city is now taking incremental steps towards reopening. Parking enforcement is one of those steps,” Pilyih said. “Of course, we don’t want to tag or tow anyone, especially in these uncertain times. But motorists Downtown and elsewhere in the city are advised that everyone should start reobserving parking regulations.”

Gov. Tom Wolf on Friday announced that all counties in Southwestern Pennsylvania, with the exception of Beaver County, could ease some restrictions.

The yellow phase lifts a stay-at-home order for residents and permits some retail businesses to open under certain guidelines. Other restrictions remain: Restaurants can provide only delivery or take-out services, and gyms, theaters, barbershops and salons stay closed. Social distancing and mask guidelines remain in place.

David Onorato, the parking authority’s executive director, said last week that drivers were parking everywhere on city streets to avoiding paying garage fees. Garages were empty and streets were packed, Onorato said.

Pilyih said violations were becoming a problem, prompting the enforcement.