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"Space saver" removal gets chilly reception in Boston

Their removal is getting a chilly reception
Boston begins removing parking space savers 03:03

Bostonians have been using everyday items to hold parking spots they spent hours digging out of from feet of snow. Now, the city is clearing those "space savers" from the streets and residents are not pleased, reports CBS News correspondent Anna Werner.

Calling dibs on the coveted parking spots is a time-honored tradition in Boston with its own set of unspoken rules.

"You don't touch somebody's spot," South Boston resident Chris Heller said.

Chris Heller found out the hard way when he moved there two years ago.

"I came out one morning and three of my tires were slashed and the people were direct about it. They were like, 'You took this person's spot,'" Heller said. "As far as they were concerned, I was in the wrong and it was just a welcome to the neighborhood."

Another South Boston resident Steve Sgarzi said he's seen a wheelchair and BBQ pits serve as "space savers."

After a relentless barrage of storms and more than 100 inches of snow, household items like high chairs, crates and laundry baskets have practically become permanent fixtures on cramped city streets.

"We don't go to the suburbs and take people's driveways away, you know, that's our spot," Sgarzi said.

But now the city is cracking down on the space saving system much to the dismay of Bostonians.

"We have more mounds of snow than we actually have parking spaces," South Boston resident Carolyn Bartholomew said.

Monday, under orders from Mayor Walsh, sanitation crews began treating the place holders like trash.

"I know there's some concern in a lot of different neighborhoods. I'm hearing on both sides of the issue, but we've had a month of storms here," Walsh said.

Some people see the fairness in the mayor's decision and are ready to do away with the long-held tradition.

But Heller said it's not going to happen -- at least not in his neighborhood.

"They're not going to do it, not in Southie. I mean half my neighbors are cops. That's never going happen," he said.

There's plenty of space savers to be picked up. The city of Somerville tweeted out a picture with just a few of the items they've collected so far.

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