Bridgeport’s newly crowned queen of absentee ballots, City Councilwoman Maria Pereira, a hired gun this cycle for Probate Judge candidate Mark Bradley, was muted on Monday during a news conference in the Mayor’s Office promoting new parking regulations of large commercial vehicles, alternating buggy, stony stares with smirks of indignation holding an oversized card with critical language of Mayor Joe Ganim.
Pereira was side-by-side with her reputed absentee partner in crime, City Councilman Alfredo Castillo, both charged with dozens of counts of election fraud covering various city races.
It’s difficult to read the card language in the video so perhaps it was doubling as an absentee ballot advertisement for her harvesting. Anyhoo, although she was invited by Council President Jeanette Herron to speak about the ordinance at the news conference she postured porcelain, then abruptly walked away.
News release from Mayor’s Office:
Today, the Bridgeport City Council announced new changes to Chapter 10.12 Stopping, Standing and Parking Generally, to modernize parking regulations, improve public safety, and provide clearer standards for the parking of commercial vehicles, trailers, and other vehicles on public rights-of-way.
The ordinance addresses longstanding concerns involving large commercial vehicles, utility trailers, unsecured debris, and abandoned equipment parked on city streets. The updates also provide clearer definitions to improve consistency in enforcement while helping keep neighborhoods, sidewalks, and roadways safe and accessible.
New Definitions to Improve Enforcement
To ensure consistent application of the ordinance, several new definitions have been added, including:
- Large Commercial Vehicle: A commercial motor vehicle meeting federal commercial vehicle weight or passenger thresholds, including tractor-trailers and similar heavy-duty vehicles.
- Standard Truck: A pickup truck or truck designed primarily for transporting property.
- Utility Trailer: A trailer designed to transport personal property, materials, or equipment.
- Tow Dolly Trailer: A two-wheeled trailer designed to tow another motor vehicle.
- Make-Shift Walls: Non-factory-built sidewalls or barriers added to the bed of a pick-up truck or similar vehicle to increase cargo capacity.
These definitions provide greater clarity for vehicle owners and assist law enforcement in the consistent administration of the City’s parking regulations.
Parking Restrictions
Large Commercial Vehicles
Large commercial vehicles, including tractor-trailers, are prohibited from parking, standing, or being left unattended on any public street, alley, or public right-of-way at any time.
Limited exceptions are provided for vehicles that are:
- Actively making deliveries;
- Loading or unloading residential goods;
- Disabled or awaiting towing;
- Performing utility, emergency service, or other work.
Utility Trailers
Utility trailers, unless hitched to a valid, licensed vehicle may not be parked on a public right-of-way between 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. If left unhitched, they are prohibited from parking on a public right-of-way at any time and are subject to towing.
Tow Dolly Trailers
Tow dolly trailers are always prohibited from parking on any public street or public right-of-way, whether attached to a vehicle or not, and whether towing another vehicle or not.
Standard Trucks Carrying Refuse or Debris
Standard trucks carrying equipment, appliances, rubbish, refuse, garbage, litter, or similar materials may not be parked on public streets between 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
In addition, standard trucks equipped with unauthorized make-shift walls are prohibited when operating or parked on public rights-of-way.
Violations
The ordinance establishes the following penalties for violations:
- Large commercial vehicles parked at any time: $250 citation.
- Standard trucks parked overnight while carrying refuse or debris, with or without make-shift walls: $125 citation.
- Utility trailers parked in violation of the ordinance: $125 citation, with unhitched trailers subject to towing.
- Tow dolly trailers: $125 citation and towing.
Commitment to Public Safety
These updates reflect the City’s ongoing commitment to maintaining safe streets, protecting residential neighborhoods, and ensuring public rights-of-way remain accessible for all users.
By modernizing outdated provisions and addressing emerging issues involving commercial vehicles, trailers, and improperly secured loads, the ordinance provides clearer expectations for vehicle owners while strengthening the City’s ability to protect public safety and preserve neighborhood quality of life.
Residents and business owners are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the updated parking regulations before the ordinance takes effect to ensure compliance and help keep Bridgeport’s streets safe, clean, and accessible for everyone.
The ordinance will go into effect on August 6, 2026.
