MPS: The Town of Boonton Deploys SafetySticks to Enhance Safety

Boonton is joining other New Jersey towns by rolling out a pilot program that uses photographic technology to identify parking violators on Main Street.

Beginning in July, the town will begin using SafetySticks “to enhance pedestrian safety and improve compliance with parking regulations in designated no parking areas,” a town announcement explained.

SafetySticks use 24/7 surveillance and cost nothing for municipalities to install. A percentage of each parking violation issued goes to MPS. MPS said SafetySticks can reduce illegal parking up to 95%, and their mission remains to keep towns and cities safe.

In Boonton, they are concentrated along Main Street, a narrow corridor with hills, curves, and parking on both sides, making it difficult to navigate for many drivers.

Yellow-striped no-parking buffers at tight intersections and heavy pedestrian areas are often clogged by motorists who park and create navigation hazards that can result in near-gridlock on occasion.

"Our yellow no-parking zones are just that," said Police Chief Christopher Petonak. "Our visitors and businesses inaccurately use them as convenient drop-off and pick-up lanes. For the safety of pedestrians, access to fire hydrants and sight distance for stop signs, etc., these are not parking areas and are not engineered for that."

"So, a little technology will be added to keep everyone honest," the chief advised.

"The purpose of this program is not to create new parking restrictions, but rather to improve compliance with parking laws already in place," the town advised. "Vehicles stopping or parking in designated no-parking zones, crosswalk approaches, intersections, fire zones, or other restricted areas remain subject to enforcement. The use of hazard flashers does not exempt a vehicle from these parking regulations."

The SafetyStick pilot program in Boonton is part of a broader safety initiative approved by the council. Temporary barriers were placed last month at the intersections of Division and Main streets, and at William and Main streets as part of a grant-funded Transportation Alternatives Program to approximate and evaluate proposed curb extensions.

"The parking committee has been working hard on this for approximately three years," the chief said. "Other changes will be announced later this summer about the zones and how much each parking zone will cost by the hour or day. We are optimistic about seeing a positive change."

Delivery Options

To accommodate delivery vans and trucks for businesses that can only be accessed on Main Street, the town is adding delivery/drop-off spaces on perpendicular streets, offering free parking for 15 minutes.

"Our vision is to clear up Main Street and that would reduce motor vehicle sideswipes, along with keeping Main Street as it has been engineered," the town wrote.

About Municipal Parking Services (MPS)

Municipal Parking Services Inc. (MPS) is a pioneer in AI-driven enforcement and compliance technologies. Since 2013, MPS has leveraged its unique platform to deliver cloud-connected parking and safety solutions that reduce illegal parking, increase compliance, and improve safety outcomes. MPS solutions use embedded AI to automate license plate recognition, dynamic pricing, zone monitoring, and enforcement, creating safer, smarter communities. The company partners with leading safety organizations, including Vision Zero, IPMI, IACLEA, and IACP. Headquartered in Austin, Texas. Learn more at www.mpspark.com.