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Sign, sign, everywhere a sign: Stay away from my spot
By adamg on Fri, 02/06/2015 - 3:19pm
Roving UHub photographer Christopher Wagner filed this photo from Allston today - specifically, in a spot on Islington Street by the Jackson Mann School (which he notes isn't even a resident-only spot).
Meanwhile, Dan checks in from Roslindale - Pinehurst Street at Belgrade, to be exact - which the parking angels passed over last night in their rush to get to Jamaica Plain:
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Comments
stay classy Beantown
stay classy Beantown
don't call it that
don't call it that
Beantown Strong!
is that better?
oops
i can say that again
hmm
Allson has res spots??
It's autographed!
Instead of putting threats and moaning about how much work they did, this space cadet got the Mayor to sign it. That's showing some initiative!
Is limiting space saving to
Is limiting space saving to resident-only spots one of the rules of this lawless practice?
Its way past the 48 hours
Its way past the 48 hours after the snow emergency was lifted when space savers are allowed. These are illegal space savers.
They are illegal during the 48 hour period, too.
They are illegal all the time, even in the 48 hours after a snow emergency is declared, but Mayor Walsh has announced that he won't enforce that law during "a couple of days after a snow storm."
And on that note
A notice was taped to the front door of my building on Comm Ave. in Allston/Brighton from the City of Boston. It stated [paraphrasing] that space savers are only "legal" [questionable] for 48 hours after a snow emergency and any found going forwards [barring a new emergency] would be picked up as trash and the offender fined [if they could find the person].
Again I will point out that the only responsible policy, to change this trend, is to come out all against the space savers whether there is snow or not. Just make them illegal all the time [or rather enforce that existing rule rather than giving the 48 hour pass].
The city should implement and enforce a 'no space saver' law
The City, as well as the surrounding cities and towns here in the Commonwealth (particularly Cambridge and Somerville, where space-savers are beginning to crop up again) should definitely step up to the plate, do a better job of snow removal, by enforcing the "no parking during snow emergency" rules on both sides of the streets, first during one night, and then the second night, after a big snowfall, and ticket and tow cars whose owners refuse to comply with the orders to find other temporary parking in the garages, municipal and school lots. If people can afford to keep cars in Cambridge and Boston, they can afford to park in a parking space or garage for a couple of nights. What the hell is wrong with people? They don't seem to care who gets screwed by their irresponsible, uncooperative behavior!
But how long would removal take?
It's gotta go somewhere. It's not like they could just put it on the sidewalk. Okay, they could, but then me and probably at least 300,000 other Bostonians would be screaming for Walsh's ass. They are working with front loaders and dump trucks now, and that is taking forever.
Despite that, that's a good solution. The devil is in the details, though.
Come on, Bob!
Or, should I say "welcome to Boston, Bob," since you seem to be a newcomer.
You see, Boston has a long history. You'd be fascinated with the storied traditions that stretch back centuries along with the historic districts that dot the city. In short, Boston did exist before January 2014, as did the "48 hour rule." It's a precedent, like Roe v Wade and brick sidewalks on Beacon Hill.
Look, I think there is a debate here between one side, that sees individuals claiming public space as their own, and the other, that sees individuals engaging in heavy work to move snow from the street and create parking spaces and only want to be rewarded for their efforts. The former will point, rightly, to people who "pre-save" spaces, or worse to saving spaces when it is warm and dry (or probably humid.) The latter will point, rightly, to the Snow Emergency Arteries that are now unsafe as cars are parked 2 to 3 feet from the curb in unsaved spaces, as they were never shoveled out.
However, let's not have this debate based on false facts. I did say that I would not keep on beating this dead horse, but the likes of you keep on bring the horse to me.
Once again: digging your own
Once again: digging your own vehicle put so that you can actually use it is not an act of altrusim, far from it!
You feel entitled to be rewarded for your efforts? Your reward is the use of your vehicle. You are not "creating parking spaces" for anyone other than yourself when you then plop down your saver.
I love that you try and create a distinction between yourself and the people who save a space before it starts snowing. It's a distinction without difference as those same people will then shovel out the spot and create a space, right? They're just taking out a space-saving loan on their future shoveling efforts!
I have dug out five spaces on first st. over the past two weeks when unable to find a spot. so have others. I haven't "saved" any of them, since I am not a selfish child, but the member of a community with respect for our shared spaces. It would be nice if that concept gained wider acceptance throughout the city
Thank you for your criticism
I disagree. We can agree to disagree.
I do not, nor have I ever, put anything in any spot I have shoveled out, but I understand why people do. Heck, right here in the Universal Hub there Adam reprinted a twitter discussion on the topic. You could either try to see the other side, or you could just go "la la la" like some child when someone tries to explain the practice and the ethics behind it. My guess is that you have the intellectual heft to opt for the latter.
Why I've been so vocal on this is that people have been inventing a history of space saving, be it giving the name of the wrong mayor who set the "48 hour rule" or that is it somehow just a Southie thing (though I will admit that even in the 1990s it was more prevalent in Southie than in other places in Boston.)
Think what you want. It's a free country and a democracy. It's the ideas of the whole that drive things.
Thanks for the reply. I
Thanks for the reply. I commend you for not using space savers. As to having the practice and ethics "explained," well, I think both are quite easily understood.
It snows. People shovel the snow from around their automobile so they can use said automobile. While they are at work, shopping, or even gone for the weekend, items are placed in the spot to "save it" for as long as that person feels they are entitled to it.
If another person decides to remove the ironing board/cone/trashcan/laundry basket that is "saving" the spot, that person's car will likely be vandalized or they might even be assaulted. Am missing any key aspects surrounding the ethics of this practice? Am I wrong to assume that parking in someone's saved spot, let's say, two weeks after a major storm could likely result in an assault or vandalism? How is this practice defensible?
I have an example
It's a patent. You've done something. That's the key. People who "pre-save" or keep the space saver there after melting has taken place- I have no time for them. And again, don't get me started on the summer savers. So, you might ask, what's the difference between the people now and the summer savers? Several hours manual labor. Read what the lady said. It's about effort.
Should the city and its citizens condone violence or vandalism? No, but that's what happens when order breaks down. Would it be better if neighbors said "Mr. Nguyen spent 3 hours after this storm clearing the snow to the asphalt, so I will respect his effort" rather than "so what if that guy shoveled the spot out, I just got back from my trip and need a place to park my car" thereby making the need for traffic cones demarking things unnecessary? Yes.
And yes, even in times when no sweat equity is required ironing boards and whatnot dot the landscape. There is no need for this. That is essentially appropriating public space for one's self. Yes, you do not own the street in front of your house. But we are not living in those times currently. We are living in the times where there are mounds of snow everywhere. My neighbors are not claiming the street in front of my house. They just want to make sure that after spending a few hours clearing a space that they don't have to spend even more hours clearing another space because someone who made no effort decided that it was a nice place to park.
Couple of days
But Marty said "a couple of days", which can be interpreted as a small number or few.... So really it is ambiguous :)
Learning Curve
Allston has been really slow on learning how to use space savers this winter. No one seems to be able to grasp the 48 hour rule. Brand new space savers appeared on my street this morning for example. Somehow they ended up in a pile on top of a snowbank.
Obviously they have a lot to
Obviously they have a lot to learn if nobody got their door keyed or their tires slashed.
They are all illegal
Yet the mayor has condoned the use for a couple of days after the snow stops...open to many interpretations. More reason to ban the whole ridiculous practice
hey Jess, where'd you grow up
hey Jess, where'd you grow up?
Get rid of the snow
If the city would actually REMOVE snow, instead of just push it in piles, maybe we wouldn't have the space saver issue. The city is not enforcing lots of rules, for example many roads have lost a lane due to people parking five feet from the curb.
When there is this much snow, we need to go with the Montreal method:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pE6N7CDV-9s#t=34
and here:
http://www.boston.com/news/weather/2015/02/03/montreal-really-good-snow-...
Spot Saver
If your dog goes through the ice, toss the bucket in?
Tough guy alert tough guy
Tough guy alert tough guy alert!
South End hypochrites
who stated no space savers this winter went right out the window with the first storm. Drive around Shawmut, Tremont and Washington Streets you see plenty of space savers and because these are snow arteries, they didn't even shovel the spots.
You're on to something
Here's an idea: all those who are against saving parking spaces after a snowstorm can park in the South End. Leave the rest of the City alone.
Here's a Better Idea
Learn to share.
spot savers
I have lived in Boston my whole life, and have never heard so many complaints about residents saving the parking space they have spent so much time shoveling! That's what we Bostonians have been doing FOREVAAH. Why should it change. Is it those who have moved here the past ??? years? If so, I can't imagine a city or town plowing to the curb! I think they may do that if every resident had a long driveway! That's not the case here. OR, are we willing to call this the "Pampered Era!
True, residents done own the street .But, a city under duress needs some leeway. If those who believe the Police should ticket people for enforcing the law; beware of what you ask for.
The law states that you cannot occupy a space for > two hours. Would you want to run outdoors and move your car every two hours? I doubt playing Musical Cars would be the most popular law on the books.
Because
The outsiders that have moved to Boston know better than we do. Didn't you know that.