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- Snow Emergency, G.O. No. 3.4.25 Page 1 ALBANY, NEW YORK POLICE DEPARTMENT 165 HENRY JOHNSON BOULEVARD ALBANY, NEW YORK 12210 SNOW EMERGENCY GENERAL ORDER NO: 3.4.25 Issue Date: November 27, 2015 Effective Date: November 27, 2015 Revision Date: N/A CALEA: N/A Volume 3: Operations Chapter 4: Special Operations Distribution: All Personnel NYSLEAP: N/A Issuing Authority: Chief Eric Hawkins Page: 1 of 4 PURPOSE: The purpose of this policy is to ensure that a systematic approach to snow removal allows for the efficient removal of large snow fall and permits access to all city streets for emergency responders and residents. POLICY: It is the policy of the Albany Police Department to enable a systematic approach to snow removal to enhance the ability of all persons to travel freely on the roadways of the City of Albany. DEFINITIONS: Snow Emergency – Snow emergency means a Mayoral decree that temporarily suspends all normal parking rules and regulations so as to enhance the City of Albany’s ability to remove large snow falls to permit access to all areas of the City. I. SNOW EMERGENCY A. Whenever road conditions in the City of Albany become hazardous or such that the free movement of fire, health, police, emergency, or vehicular traffic may become impeded by reason of snow, freezing rain, sleet, ice or other natural causes, the Mayor, upon advice of the Chief of Police and the Commissioner of the Department of Public Works, may declare the existence of a snow emergency by giving a public notice thereof at least eight hours before said snow emergency is commenced. 1. A snow emergency shall commence at 8:00 a.m. or 8:00 p.m. A snow emergency, once declared, shall continue for a forty-eight (48) hour period. a. Announcements will be made through notifications on radio, television, social media, message boards and signs throughout the City, as well as on the City website at www.albanyny.gov. b. Snow emergency information can also be accessed by calling 476- SNOW. c. The announcement will state the snow emergency start time, which shall afford residents/commuters enough time to move their vehicles. Eric Hawkins Chief of Police 1789 ---PAGE BREAK--- - Snow Emergency, G.O. No. 3.4.25 Page 2 2. Parking rules and regulations will be temporarily suspended on all City streets for the duration of the snow emergency. 3. All vehicles parked in the City must be parked on the even numbered side of the street for the first twenty-four (24) hours. 4. After the initial twenty-four (24) hour period, all vehicles parked in the City must then move their vehicle to the odd numbered side of the street for an additional period of twenty-four (24) hour period. 5. Certain City streets do not have a designated even or odd side. In these cases appropriate signs will be placed directing which side of the street parking is allowed on for that twenty-four (24) hour period. a. Vehicles parked in violation of the pre-designated even/odd parking restrictions may be towed to facilitate snow removal operations, in accordance with the following: i. Only authorized contract tow companies may tow/move a vehicle at the direction of the department. The department contracts with private tow companies for the purpose of towing/moving vehicles when necessary. ii. Upon arrival on the scene of the vehicle in violation, the officer shall check the license plate or vehicle identification number through the dispatcher or MDT to determine if the vehicle owner lives locally. iii. If the owner is local, an attempt to contact the owner shall be made. If located, it will be the responsibility of the vehicle owner to move the vehicle within a reasonable time. iv. If other circumstances dictate, the vehicle may be appropriately ticketed and, if necessary, towed. v. The requesting officer shall complete a tow report for each vehicle towed. Upon arrival of the tow truck, the vehicle shall be inspected by the operator of the tow truck and any damage verified with the officer. The tow operator must then sign the tow report. vi. All tow reports shall be clearly printed. The first copy of the report is given to the tow operator when taking possession of the vehicle(s). 6. After the forty-eight (48) hour time period has elapsed, from the initial designated snow emergency commencement time, the snow emergency may be extended or officially declared over. a. If conditions warrant the snow emergency to be extended, it may be extended for an additional forty-eight (48) hour period. b. If the snow emergency is extended the even/odd parking restrictions will start over and announcements will be made in a similar manner as the original snow emergency. 7. If a vehicle has been towed during the snow emergency, vehicle owners are advised to call 438-4000 for information on how to retrieve their vehicle. ---PAGE BREAK--- - Snow Emergency, G.O. No. 3.4.25 Page 3 II. SNOW EMERGENCY ADDITIONAL PARKING A. During a Snow Emergency the City has made additional parking areas available at various locations, which include the following: 1. Arbor Hill/Sheridan Hollow: a. Parking Area Adjoining Arbor Hill Softball Field (North Lark Street); b. 230 Colonie Street (Playground Lot); c. 178 Colonie Street (Playground Lot); d. 124 Second Street (Playground Lot); and e. Ten Broeck Mansion (Parking Lot and Sidewalk West End). 2. Pine Hills: a. Ridgefield Park (Entrance on Partridge Street); b. Woodlawn Park Little League; c. Waterson Park (Westland Hills - Entrance on Colvin Avenue); and d. Washington Park (All Roadways and Parking Areas). 3. South End: a. Krank Park Area; b. Franklin Street (Between Schuyler and Bassett Streets - East Side); c. Lincoln Park (All Interior Roadways and Parking Areas); and d. Frisbee Avenue (Parking Lot between Second Avenue and McCarty Avenue). 4. Center Square/Mansion: a. 77 Phillip Street (Playground); b. 88 Phillip Street (Playground); and c. 179 Avenue (Lot in Front of Community Gardens). 5. North Albany: a. Parking Area Across from North Albany American Legion Post. 6. West End: a. Bleecker Stadium (Parking Area and Roadways); and b. North Side of Livingston Avenue Parking Lot (Opposite Judson Street). III. SNOW EMERGENCY COMPLETION A. Once the snow emergency has been officially declared over, normal/alternate parking rules and regulations shall be in effect. ---PAGE BREAK--- - Snow Emergency, G.O. No. 3.4.25 Page 4 B. Snowbound Vehicle/Snow Birds: 1. Apparent snowbound vehicles which block traffic or snow removal efforts shall be towed, in accordance with current directives.