Manchester police tow cars after owners ignored snow storm street parking warnings

Manchester, NJ – Manchester Township police said they issued multiple public alerts and conducted door-to-door visits before this week’s snowstorm, and towed numerous vehicles left in the roadway that blocked plows and endangered responders.

Key Points

Manchester Township Police issued mass notifications (Nixle, reverse 911, Facebook) and over 50 door-to-door warnings before the storm.
Vehicles left on streets during snow operations were towed after creating obstructions that narrowed travel lanes and impeded plows.
Public Works crews are clearing areas affected by snow buildup caused by the obstructions; officers thanked compliant residents.

Manchester Township police said the township’s snow-emergency ordinance (Manchester Township E-Code § 7-10) prohibits parking on any street during designated snow events so plows can clear roadways safely and effectively. In addition to routine reminders, the department deployed mass-notification platforms and sent officers to notify residents in person, including during hazardous blizzard conditions.

Officers reported that many vehicles remained snow-covered and parked in the roadway despite repeated notices. Those vehicles forced plow drivers to maneuver around obstructions, which pushed snow back into travel lanes and created narrowed, unsafe conditions for motorists and emergency vehicles. As a result, the department towed numerous cars that were left in violation of the ordinance.

Public Works crews are actively addressing locations where snow buildup worsened due to obstructing vehicles, the statement said. The department emphasized that the in-person notifications placed first responders in hazardous conditions that could have been avoided if vehicles had been removed as required.

Police thanked residents who complied early, noting their cooperation helped keep roads passable and accessible for emergency response. The department’s alerts included Nixle messages, reverse 911 calls, and official Facebook posts; officers said those outreach efforts were supplemented by more than 50 door-to-door visits.

Residents with questions about towed vehicles or snow-emergency procedures were directed to contact Manchester Township municipal offices or check official township communications for updates.

Tags: Manchester, snow-emergency, public works

Manchester

Shore News Network Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.