Greenfield Demands More Warning for Temporary Tow-Away Zones

The battle of politicos versus production companies is heating up. 

In December, one local councilman sought to put a moratorium on film shoots after deciding that the streets of Brooklyn Heights had served as a set one too many times. 

Now, Councilman David Greenfield, whose district includes a portion of Kensington, has a slightly more modest proposal: Give residents a 24-hour warning before declaring temporary tow-away zones, which are implemented for events like block parties, street fairs and most commonly, film shoots.

"There are few experiences in New York City as frustrating as returning to a parking space to find your car missing, especially when you were legally parked in the first place," said Greenfield, who introduced the legislation on Wednesday. 

The city is not presently required to post notifications before establishing a temporary tow-away zone, an oversight that has left plenty of drivers irate at finding their cars mysteriously missing.

In Windsor Terrace and Kensington, residents are regularly required to move their cars in order to make way for filming. Failure to do so in time means a trip to the impound lot. 

Greenfield said he himself has fallen victim to the city's lax communication policies when he once parked outside of City Hall, only to find his car had vanished after the NYPD posted a "No Parking" sign during his absence. 

“There is no reason why the city cannot extend this courtesy to drivers and give them ample notice of temporary parking restrictions," he said. 

On a related note, Ditmas Park Patch reports that "Sex and the City" prequel "The Carrie Diaries" will on Thursday be shooting on Rugby Road between Church Avenue and Beverley Road, and on Church Avenue between Argyle and Rugby Roads.

If your car happens to be parked on those streets, it must be moved by 10 p.m. Wednesday, or—you guessed it—it will be towed. 

Has your car been taken as the result of a "temporary tow-away zone?" Tell us in the comments.