In four days, Barrington Police ticketed nearly 70 cars that were parked illegally on streets near the town beach. Each ticket carried a $25 fine. 

According to Barrington Police Chief Michael Correia, the department has been receiving complaints for illegal parking from people who live near the town beach. He also said the department is taking a more proactive approach to enforcing parking regulations.

Chief Correia said the illegal parking issue spiked on Thursday, June 19. A large crowd, possibly taking advantage of the Juneteenth holiday, began arriving at the town beach. Before long, the beach attendants began turning away non-residents — if the parking lot is near capacity at the town beach, officials will reserve the available parking for Barrington residents. 

Police believe some of those who were turned away began parking on streets near the beach. 

Chief Correia said police officers ticketed nearly 50 vehicles near the town beach on Thursday, including nine vehicles parked illegally on Highland Avenue. 

On Friday, police ticketed one vehicle and five on Saturday. On Sunday, police issued 10 tickets to vehicles parked illegally near the beach. Chief Correia listed some of the streets that saw the most illegal parking: Chachapacassett, Freemont, Governor Bradford, Watson Avenue. 

Police said any non-residents who are unable to find parking at the town beach lot are welcome to park their vehicles at Nayatt School and walk to the town beach. 

Chief Correia said a parking ticket carries a $25 fine. He said a ticket for parking too close to a fire hydrant carries an $85 fine. 

Anyone wanting to check the parking situation at the town beach can visit the town’s website (www.barrington.ri.gov) and check to see if there is a red alert notice — “Temporary parking closure to non-residents at Barrington Beach” — at the top of the webpage.