Signage Installed At Windsor Terrace 'Ticket Trap' Fire Hydrant

WINDSOR TERRACE, BROOKLYN — As promised earlier this week, the city's Department of Transportation on Friday installed a "no standing anytime" sign in front of a hidden fire hydrant that Windsor Terrace residents said was a ticket trap for drivers who couldn't see it.

The fire hydrant on Ocean Parkway, about 100 feet east of East Fifth Street across from P.S. 130, is behind a wrought iron fence that was covered in weeds, making it hard for drivers to see. Adding to the confusion, a "no parking sign" on the street pointed away from the hydrant.

The new sign clearly notes that drivers cannot park or idle in front of the hydrant and down the rest of the street. It was installed some time after 8:30 a.m. on Friday.

"I’m just very happy with the final outcome of this," said Chris Kearney, a Windsor Terrace resident who first contacted Patch about the issue. "They did a good job, DOT. And I like the placement of the sign. As far as I’m concerned, nobody knows there’s a fire hydrant there, still, but nobody will make the mistake of parking there."

The brush growing in the grassy knoll where it sits also appears to have been trimmed significantly, giving drivers a clear view of the bright red hydrant.

Patch first brought the issue to light on Sunday, noting that 148 tickets have been given out at that spot totaling more than $17,000 since July of 2016. In response, City Councilman Brad Lander's office worked with DOT to get the new sign installed to clearly show drivers where they can and can't park.

On Friday, the signage was finally put in place and the weeds trimmed, putting an end to any confusion at the spot.

"It’s good that it was done. It benefits the community," Kearny said. "Nobody likes getting ripped off, and that’s basically what was happening with those tickets."

Naturally, when Patch went out to inspect the work on Friday around 3:30 p.m., a white SUV was illegally parked in front of where the old "no parking" sign used to be. (It also appears to be the same one parked there when we first went out last week.)

The car had a bright red and white ticket tucked under its windshield wipers. That may be the last one given out at this spot ever again.

"I’m sure the meter man will be disappointed," Kearny said. "No more easy tickets for him."

Photos by Marc Torrence, Patch