What have we become as a society when parking wardens must wear cameras? So many parking wardens have been assaulted that they are trialling wearing personal cameras to catch offenders.
Nobody likes getting a parking ticket and I've had plenty, but the idea of abusing, far less assaulting, a warden, for simply doing their job is insane. According to the study behind this article, they face verbal abuse up to dozens of times a day, and at least a couple of Auckland wardens are assaulted monthly.
The ironic thing is, without parking wardens, Auckland travel would be crushed by the weight of illegally-parked cars!
If you don't believe me, check out what happens at any Auckland school every school day at 8-50 am and 3-05 pm. Cars are double-parked, parked over driveways, road entrances and hydrants; and that's just to pick up the kids.
Imagine that happening in Broadway, Newmarket, or Kyber Pass, Queen St and Hobson St; or Rosebank Rd, Avondale, Marua Rd, Ellerslie, or any part of Great South Road or Great North Road, because it absolutely would be if there were no parking wardens. It is only the threat of a financial penalty that keeps cars parked in their spaces, and for the allotted time.
Copyright © Alan Charman