Inept ‘wreckers’ damaged my car

THE EDITOR: This is a plea to the Chief of Police of the Traffic Branch in San Fernando to ensure that their employees take care and respect citizens’ property. On August 25, my vehicle was subjected to abuse and mal-handling by those who thought they were doing their job. May be the word wreck should be changed in effect.

Less than an hour before, I had parked my vehicle alongside the Promenade next to St Joseph’s Convent. To my chagrin, on my return from RIK Bookstore, another car was parked in its place. In fact, there was the usual long line of parked cars that is commonly seen nearly everyday of the week. On collecting my car at Old South land, which seems to be behind God’s back in and old run-down area able to be reached over rough gravel, there was my car parked with its rear bumper scratched and dented just behind the spare wheel. I don’t think any citizen should have to dip into her pocket to repair damage to her vehicle caused by clumsy, inept workers who are not consistent in their catch point, especially as the fee was $100 TT to just collect, and under questionable circumstances.

On numerous occasions, vehicles are parked alongside this particular road for various functions on the Promenade, whether it is for funerals, weddings, school functions etc. How can a citizen be sure about any thing at all, if there is not consistency in the execution of the law? In addition, the city corporation should make efforts to ensure that some visible sign clearly demarcates a limit for parking along the side closer to the Promenade, because that is where the problem seems to be. There is no visible “No Parking” sign along that road and my car was nowhere near the curb, junction or the two gates of the Convent. It was of no inconvenience at all to any one. I do hope conditions will be improved in the near future.

PHILLIPPA ALLARD-PERSAD
Cocoyea Village