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Cranford police to test movable 'safety sticks' to curb illegal parking; board raises staffing, budget concerns
Summary
Cranford Police Chief Matt Nazzaro presented movable parking-enforcement devices that photograph plates, allow a 90-second grace period and send images to officers for verification; the board linked the plan to earlier discussion about a dedicated parking manager but noted this year's tight budget.
Cranford Police Chief Matt Nazzaro told the DMC board that the department plans to deploy movable parking-enforcement devices, described at the meeting as "safety sticks," that photograph license plates and allow a 90-second grace period before an officer verifies whether a summons is warranted.
Nazzaro said the devices are movable and additional units can be deployed as needed; the department hopes to have them installed in the first quarter of 2026. The devices are intended to keep the busy downtown area safe while enforcing traffic rules and preventing parking in crosswalks, fire-hydrant zones and other unsafe locations.
Board members connected the discussion to prior months' conversations about parking management. Resident Anthony Durante noted the board had supported a parking fee increase if a dedicated parking manager were put in place to maintain parking supply and enforcement; Durante and others said a parking manager is needed to oversee operations. Mayor Kathleen Miller Prunty said the safety sticks are a planning tool and that hiring or funding a dedicated parking manager could be discussed later, but she warned that this year’s budget is tight.
Board member Mark Pollock said the safety-stick discussion ties into previous concerns about project management downtown. No formal action to approve purchase or placement of the devices was taken at the Jan. 15 meeting.
