Tough Rules for Diplomats in Parking Lot Named N.Y.
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NEW YORK — For most New Yorkers, finding a quick and legal parking spot is an exercise in frustration. Diplomats and consular officials soon will share their pain.
New York City officials and the U.S. State Department said Thursday that the number of diplomatic and consular vehicles allowed to park on city streets will be slashed by three-quarters, to 530 from 2,600.
Diplomats and consular officials from the city’s 189 diplomatic missions owe nearly $22 million in parking fines.
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg also said the city is cracking down on new offenders.
Without naming specific countries, Bloomberg said “a very small minority” of scofflaws had taken the shine off the diplomatic and consular community’s parking record.
State Department officials will physically remove consular plates and refuse renewals of diplomatic plates to consulate officials who fail to pay three or more tickets after 100 days.
Consular plates will come off vehicles owned by officials who do not pay 60% of their outstanding tickets by Sept. 1.
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