Neighbors: Bridgeport Streets Have Turned To 'Unofficial Parking Lots'
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Something strange is happening in the Bridgeport neighborhood on the South Side and it has some residents puzzled and angry.
Residential streets have suddenly become unofficial parking lots for commercial trucks and huge limousines.
Although commercial parking on those streets is illegal and neighbors say the vehicles are an eyesore, it continues.
CBS2's Mike Parker reports.
John Tominello has lived in Bridgeport all his life and is angry about how the area is turning into a lot for commercial vans and trucks and huge limousines.
CBS 2 cameras saw huge vans and limos parked illegally along Normal at 25th Place. Not one had been ticketed.
One man we encountered nearby told us the situation was no big deal. Moments later we saw him drive off in one of the illegally parked vehicles. He was the driver.
We tracked down the owners of one of the coaches R&J Brothers Travel and Tours in Westmont. "I have to talk to the driver," the owner told us, "and tell him to never do it again."
Then there was the 18 passenger commercial van parked down the street from John Tominello's house.
Producer Ed Marshall spoke with the young driver who told him, "This is ten minute parking for my friend." When the No Parking sign was pointed out, the driver said, "Yeah. I just park for ten minutes."
The owner of that van, who also runs a south suburban restaurant says the young driver is employed to pick up restaurant employees and brings them to and from work each day.
John Tominello says he sees that same van parked near his house daily.
"I want them to get themselves a parking lot where they're supposed to park instead of my house," he says.
