01-04-2017, 02:48 PM
(01-04-2017, 01:27 PM)Viewfromthe42 Wrote: I'd just apply a logical exercise. I may dislike it if someone puts something under my windshield wiper. I also understand that if I park illegally and get a ticket or a warning, I'm definitely in the wrong, and will get something under there, and quite deservedly. If someone saw another car hitting mine and left a note with witness contact information, I'd be more appreciative of that than a surprise broken light and no idea where to go. So if you park on the tramway, you're already inviting a very legitimate interference with your wiper (let alone a tow truck), so public notices like yours shouldn't be a surprise, especially since they don't come with the fine of the ones bylaw would deliver. That said, practice the obvious: don't abuse the wiper, lift gently, from the arm hinge point, and lower it back down gently.
OK, Former by-law officer reporting for duty!
![Smile Smile](https://www.waterlooregionconnected.com/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Anyway, since we (meter maids) are so hated, I guarantee that if you got a ticket, we will have never touched your wiper blade [Unless it was frozen to the windshield]. A folded ticket slid at the bottom of the "U" will glide nicely under the blade, and I will not have to deal with the complaint of "I have no problem paying the $20 ticket, but I want $50 for new wipers" argument. I'm sure the flyer stuffers do the same thing to avoid any liability. I'd cringe if I ever saw anyone lifting blade arms, even gently.
Back on topic... a warning letter will do very little to nothing. For enforcement to work, you need punitive damage [Fines] and threats work to a degree (ie. TOW AWAY ZONE... but if no one is ever towed, the threat is useless). While it may make bystanders happy to see a vehicle towed, and the driver has the inconvenience of having to go pick up a car at a different location, it doesn't necessarily ensure compliance in the future. Towing is to open an immediate need [ie Rush Hour traffic lane, LRT tracks when in operation, Fire Route, Snow Clearing, etc.] To tow (off a city street) just to punish is not an acceptable practice anywhere that I am aware of. Furthermore on towing, the city by-laws here in the region have set fines attached. Tows are not part of the process. If a vehicle is to be towed, it is at the expense of the requestor. [ie. Property owner needs their spot back, they can elect to pay for a tow to have the vehicle removed. When I towed from city streets here, it was at the city's expense to permit snow clearing / clear road access for safety]. (This is obviously different from the rules in places like Toronto/Mississauga/Brampton where towing is a part of the parking by-law, and set rates allowed to be charged, and liens placed on the vehicle until tow bill is paid)
Lastly to round out my XL post, all Regional parking by-laws were enforced by the city by-law officers when I worked there... so in the case of the Tannery (or the 5 cars on the tracks in front of the Duke Food Block I saw this morning), contact CoK and complain to them. The No Parking signs posted will be sufficient for them to tag under the Region's by-law.
Coke