MYNORTHWEST NEWS

‘Curb squatting’ in Seattle with fake ‘no parking’ signs

Apr 25, 2017, 5:54 AM | Updated: 9:51 am

Jason Schumacher came across this no parking sign and immediately questioned its authenticity. (Jason Schumacher)

(Jason Schumacher)

After finding a fake “no parking” sign in Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood, a driver discovered that this ploy was not an isolated incident and that others are “curb squatting” around town.

Jason Schumacher recently found hunting for a parking spot in Fremont to be no easy task and noticed one spot “conspicuously empty.” It turns out there was a “no parking” sign deterring drivers from the space. But after taking a closer look, Schumacher found it to be a case of what he calls “curb squatting.”

“I was a little nervous parking in the spot because the sign resembles a legitimately posted sign,” Schumacher said. “With that said, given it’s on a concrete-footed post, doesn’t have any contact info, and has a light threat about towing, the sign didn’t appear to be something the city would use.”

RELATED: SDOT switches free Capitol Hill parking to paid

Sgt. Sean Whitcomb with the Seattle Police Department confirms that it’s not something the city would use — mocked up with a cement block as its base, a wooden post and lettering that does not match other “no parking” signage common around Seattle.

“I would just say that only the city has the authority to place signage restricting parking,” Whitcomb said. “The sign in the photo is not an official city sign. People should ignore it and adhere to existing signage and parking rules.”

Curious about its validity, Schumacher initially posted a photo of the suspicious sign to Reddit. Soon, others on Reddit were reporting similar sightings elsewhere in Seattle, such as Green Lake.

“The reason I threw the sign up on Reddit was to test my gut; check of it being a fake sign, and also to see whether people had resources for combating this type of ‘curb squatting,'” Schumacher said. “I live in Ballard, which over the past year has become notorious for the construction ‘no parking signs’ that don’t feature valid permits, (they) are set up without advance notice, and the like. Anecdotally, it seems like people are feeling increasingly entitled to stake a claim to public property and deny its legitimate use to others.”

The SPD recommends reporting suspicious “no parking” signs to the Seattle Department of Transportation’s signage department at 206-684-7623. SPD also recommends using the “Find It, Fix It” app available to smartphone users. Seattle residents can use it to report problems around town.

There’s also the city’s online reporting system, or SPD’s non-emergency line at 206-625-5011.

MyNorthwest News

KIRO Newsradio gracie awards...

MyNorthwest Staff

KIRO Newsradio anchors receive Gracie Awards for outstanding work

Heather Bosch and Lisa Brooks, anchors at KIRO Newsradio, have been honored by the Alliance for Women in Media with prestigious Gracie Awards.

2 hours ago

Kia Boys...

Kate Stone, KIRO Newsradio and Bill Kaczaraba, MyNorthwest

‘Kia Boys’ allegedly execute a crime spree in south King County

Renton police chased down a 14-and 16-year-old but are still looking for two other teen suspects in what they said was a "crime spree" in south King County.

3 hours ago

Spanaway woman shot dead...

Kate Stone

Search for shooter continues after woman shot dead while driving in Spanaway

A 47-year-old woman was shot dead in Spanaway, causing her to hit another driver head-on early Wednesday morning.

4 hours ago

nintendo redmond...

Frank Sumrall

Nintendo to lay off 86 Redmond employees this spring

Nintendo of America is laying off 86 contract workers in Redmond, beginning May 25, due to company reorganization.

5 hours ago

Everett boy missing...

Sam Campbell

4-year-old Everett boy missing, police worried he’s in danger

Police and Search and Rescue crews are looking for a missing four-year-old boy they suspect could be in danger.

6 hours ago

Image: The awnings of a store advertise the sale of lottery tickets, including Mega Millions and Po...

Steve Coogan

Lottery jackpots update: Powerball prize jumps again after $1.1B Mega Millions win

A lottery jackpots update: The Powerball prize reached an estimated $935 million ahead of Saturday night's drawing.

16 hours ago

‘Curb squatting’ in Seattle with fake ‘no parking’ signs