New York City officials resumed the use of neon-green “shame stickers” on Tuesday to mark vehicles that violate alternate-side parking regulations. The move follows the passage of a bill earlier this summer sponsored by Manhattan Councilwoman Gale Brewer, which repealed a decade-old prohibition on the practice. The stickers—measuring approximately 8.5 by 11 inches—are distributed by the Department of Sanitation and intended to encourage compliance with parking rules that facilitate street cleaning.
Councilwoman Brewer emphasized the practical need for the stickers, citing limited law enforcement resources for enforcing alternate-side parking regulations. “There’s just not enough cops,” she said, expressing hope that the visible stickers would prompt drivers to move their cars on schedule. Video shared on social media showed Brewer personally placing the first stickers on vehicles along West 90th Street on the Upper West Side, an area she estimated to be about half lined with cars parked illegally during street cleaning hours.
The stickers carry a message stating that the vehicle “violates NYC parking regulations” and that the street could not be properly cleaned as a result. Brewer’s bill, known as Intro-92, passed the City Council by a 41-10 vote. Mayor Mamdani allowed the legislation to take effect after 30 days without signing or vetoing it, but during a separate press conference, he expressed full support for the measure. He highlighted the importance of enabling the Sanitation Department to perform its duties more effectively and said he welcomes any efforts that ease the workload of sanitation workers.
The use of “shame stickers” in New York City was banned in 2011 following complaints about the adhesive’s damage to vehicles and the difficulty of sticker removal. Some city officials and residents expressed opposition to reviving the practice, arguing the stickers can unfairly penalize drivers and potentially damage cars. Former City Council member David Greenfield criticized the method on social media, calling it vandalism and noting that many drivers receiving stickers could be innocent. He contrasted the stickers with parking tickets, which he described as an appropriate penalty.
The new stickers include instructions advising vehicle owners to use “warm water and a scraper” for removal. Brewer acknowledged that while the updated stickers are reportedly easier to remove than the previous version, she had not personally tested the process.
As the city once again employs this visual enforcement tool, debates continue over its effectiveness and fairness in addressing alternate-side parking compliance.