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Snowless North Shore Towns Still Enforce Winter Parking Bans

PEABODY (CBS) - People on the North Shore say it's outrageous. There's no snow, but several towns are enforcing winter parking bans and even handing out hundreds of tickets.

Frustrated drivers say it makes no sense and some city officials agree.

Jonathan Byrne got a parking ticket from the city of Peabody, a ten dollar fine for violating a winter parking ban. The night Jonathan got his ticket; there wasn't a flake of snow on the ground.

WBZ-TV's Jim Smith reports

In neighboring Danvers, the cost of violating the parking ban is even higher, $15.

The winter parking ban in Peabody is in effect December first through April first. There is no parking on any street between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. whether it's snowing or not.

"It wasn't snowing, no snow in the forecast," says Byrne. "At 1:05 I got a ticket."

Last winter, Peabody handed out 1,080 tickets. During this non-snowy winter, Peabody has already issued 1,081 tickets.

Peabody City Councilor David Gamache wants to change the ordinance to match most other communities. If bad weather is approaching, only then would a parking ban be imposed.

"Is it fair? no," says Gamache. "People look out it's 50 degrees, you shouldn't have to worry about parking on the street at night."

WBZ checked many streets in Peabody and didn't find one sign warning residents about the winter-long parking ban. So even though the region has avoided heavy snow during the winter of 2012, in Peabody, the parking ban is alive and well. At least for now.

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