Police Seek to Limit Parking in Harwich Port to Increase Safety

HARWICH – Selectmen have approved actions in Harwich Port to limit parking due to safety concerns.

Police Lt. Kevin Considine requested actions be taken during a recent meeting for two locations along Route 28 near Cross Street and along the rear access driveway of the Schoolhouse Parking Lot leading to Pleasant Street.

“Over the last number of years, and especially last summer, we’ve had some major issues with parking down there parking in spots that are causing hazardous situations,” Considine said.

“Prior to the busy season we are trying to identify those and try to fix those, hopefully, for good and just make people aware of where not to park.”

Current parking rules and regulations in town prevent prohibit any vehicles from parking within 20 feet of an intersecting way. Considine said a trouble area is at the intersection of Route 28 and Cross Street.

“When vehicles park within 20 feet of an intersecting way, especially at this location, they are essentially parking along the sidewalk on Route 28,” Considine said.

He said his department has received complaints and they have issued warnings because there are not any “no parking to corner” signs posted.

“People walk with strollers or with families or by themselves onto Route 28 because the sidewalks are blocked,” Considine said.

Police requested a sign to be placed on each side of Cross Street on Route 28 indicating “no parking to corner.”

A second issue involving Cross Street was also brought up as beachgoers are parking along the street all day long, specifically infront of 2-4 Cross Street.

Considine requested a couple two-hour limit parking signs at the location.

“That will hopefully at least alert motorists to the fact that there are businesses here and I shouldn’t be parking here,” he said.

Considine would also like to make a request to the state highway department to paint parking lines in the area near Cross Street to designate where the parking spots should be.

“That will go a long way to show people where the parking spots are, similar to Harwich Center,” he said.

Considine was also concerned about the driveway leaving Schoolhouse Parking Lot exiting onto Pleasant Street. He said the lot is being used by beachgoers and people are parking on both sides of that driveway.

“A fire truck will definitely not be able to get down there, nor an ambulance, and for that matter not even a sedan police car,” he said.

He requested approval for no parking signs on both sides of the roadway.

Last summer, temporary orange no parking signs were posted.

“We are not losing any spots,” Considine said. “We are just asking for some assistance with some parking signs to help out down there.”

Selectman Christopher Clark said permanent spots can be posted for the corner parking at Cross Street. Temporary signs could be placed for the two hour parking on Cross Street and the Schoolhouse lot exit way.