Philadelphia police alter Drake video for 'No Savesies' parking campaign

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 22 (UPI) -- The Philadelphia Police Department is using an altered version of Drake's "Hotline Bling" video to tell residents not to attempt to reserve parking spots.

The department shared a short clip on Facebook altered to make it seem as if Drake is placing traffic cones to reserve a parking space -- an illegal practice in the city.

"You need to call us from your cellphone, late night when you see that cone," a voice sings in the parody video.

The post reads:

"A snow storm is coming..and you know what that means. Soon, people everywhere will be using cones, lawn chairs, trashcans, uh, toilets, and any other household item that they can think of to save their shoveled-out parking spot. Folks - the spot isn't yours, and saving it is against the law. Don't fight and argue with your neighbors - if you see an offending spot saver, call 911 and the PPD will swing by and check it out."

Oh! Since we are a totally hip police department, and as such, we know that the kids like the Drake, we made this neat video that you can share with them! Now, it's easy for young kids everywhere to get the message that when it comes to holding parking spots on public streets, Philadelphia is a #NoSavesies city!"

A resident's comment questioned whether reporting such attempts to reserve spaces is a worthy use of 911.

The response read:

"No doubt most would probably agree that 911 has more important calls to take than ones about cones in the street. However, the police would much rather mediate a disagreement over parking laws now than break up a fight later. Or, take a vandalism report. Or...worse. One doesn't have to look past this very post to watch seemingly peaceful, law-abiding folks explain in explicit detail just what they will do to the person/vehicle who dares move their cone and park in "their" spot. Unfortunately, when it snows some people decide to become Mad Max and treat the rest of the city like Thunderdome (great movie, by the way - if you get snowed in and are over 17, check it out!). It doesn't make sense, and we don't want to see anyone hurt or do something that they will later regret over a parking spot. So again, let us be the bad guys - we'll move the items for you. The snow will be gone before we know it, and we can all go back to grumbling about more important things - like sports."