A Los Angeles man known online as the “Cone King” says he has removed more than 5,000 illegal traffic cones from city streets, pushing back against a common practice where residents attempt to reserve public parking spaces.

Joey Morales began his self-appointed mission in early 2023 after growing frustrated with neighbors placing cones, buckets, and other objects in public parking spots. Morales says the practice is widespread and unfair in a city where parking is already scarce.

Since launching the effort, Morales has documented each cone removal on social media, where his videos have gained more than 20,000 followers. What started as a personal crusade has since evolved into a request-driven operation, with residents contacting him to report illegally blocked parking spots in their neighborhoods.

“A lot of people would say it’s a Karen move,” Morales said. “It is, but at the end of the day, you can’t pick up a public parking spot and assume that because it’s in front of your house, it belongs to you.”

California law prohibits blocking public streets or parking spaces without proper permits. Morales says when he encounters city-owned cones, he returns them to municipal officials rather than discarding them.

While many Angelenos have praised Morales for enforcing common courtesy and highlighting misuse of public space, others view his actions as unnecessary interference. Morales acknowledges occasional pushback but maintains that public parking belongs to everyone, not individual households.

In a city defined by dense neighborhoods and limited parking, the Cone King’s efforts have sparked broader conversations about civic responsibility, shared resources, and the everyday frustrations of urban life.