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Spy car to nab parking offenders
A PINT-SIZED spy car will soon be snaring illegal parkers in Basildon.
The gadget-filled Smart Car will be used to target inconsiderate drivers who park outside schools and in busy high streets.
The car - equipped with video cameras and an automatic number plate recognition system - will gather photographic evidence of offences as they are committed.
Council leader Malcolm Buckley is confident the car will reduce the abuse council parking wardens have been suffering while openly taking pictures of poorly parked vehicles.
He said: "This will allow evidence to be gathered, which will still stand up in court, with no health and safety risk to staff.
"Our parking wardens are simply enforcing the law and should not be abused while they do their jobs."
The car will be shared by the council's parking enforcement and environmental departments and is expected to pay for itself through the fines it brings in.
Council spokesman Ray McKay added: "This is the latest weapon in the council's armoury to help enforce parking regulations at sensitive and potentially dangerous sites.
"It will also carry an automatic number plate recognition system."
4:32pm Friday 28th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: Paul Hiscock on 4:45pm Fri 28 Mar 08
They have one of these in Havering and they use it to pick on the easy targets - people who have a tyre 1 mm on the pavement rather than tackling the real offenders.
Perhaps the spy car could have been used on the A127 last night at the Gypsy wake. All those uninsured vehicles parked on the pavement.
If I was the little hitler driving that spy car I'd keep the door locked at all times. I've seen residents get very agitated at seeing it.
Makes you feel like we're in communist Russia or under the Stasi!
They have one of these in Havering and they use it to pick on the easy targets - people who have a tyre 1 mm on the pavement rather than tackling the real offenders.
Perhaps the spy car could have been used on the A127 last night at the Gypsy wake. All those uninsured vehicles parked on the pavement.
If I was the little hitler driving that spy car I'd keep the door locked at all times. I've seen residents get very agitated at seeing it.
Makes you feel like we're in communist Russia or under the Stasi!
Posted by: notorious, basildump on 5:55pm Fri 28 Mar 08
what they fail to mention is that havering car has had its back window put thru 4 times ...... [bold]looks like beedles still about!!!![/bold]
what they fail to mention is that havering car has had its back window put thru 4 times ......
looks like beedles still about!!!! Posted by: Law Abider, Basildon on 7:15pm Fri 28 Mar 08
What a great idea. As a pedestrian I am constantly having to walk in the roadway due to vehicles being illegally parked around Basildon on footpaths when there are parking spaces all around. Some motorists claim they are easy targets, well all I can say is stick to the law and you'll have no worrys.
What a great idea. As a pedestrian I am constantly having to walk in the roadway due to vehicles being illegally parked around Basildon on footpaths when there are parking spaces all around. Some motorists claim they are easy targets, well all I can say is stick to the law and you'll have no worrys.
Posted by: devil's advocate, Boozledon on 7:32pm Fri 28 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Law Abider[/bold] wrote:
What a great idea. As a pedestrian I am constantly having to walk in the roadway due to vehicles being illegally parked around Basildon on footpaths when there are parking spaces all around. Some motorists claim they are easy targets, well all I can say is stick to the law and you\'ll have no worrys.[/quote] Well Said there. Paul Hiscock has insider knowledge on what vehicles are and are not insured, and as usual, it is the selfish motorist whining about having to obey laws like the rest of us!
When will they learn that, if they break the law, they pay the consequence. Oh, to return to the days when the copper hid behind the hedge with his hand held radar gun!
Law Abider wrote:
What a great idea. As a pedestrian I am constantly having to walk in the roadway due to vehicles being illegally parked around Basildon on footpaths when there are parking spaces all around. Some motorists claim they are easy targets, well all I can say is stick to the law and you\'ll have no worrys.
Well Said there. Paul Hiscock has insider knowledge on what vehicles are and are not insured, and as usual, it is the selfish motorist whining about having to obey laws like the rest of us!
When will they learn that, if they break the law, they pay the consequence. Oh, to return to the days when the copper hid behind the hedge with his hand held radar gun!
Posted by: paul myleg, laindon on 7:38pm Fri 28 Mar 08
[bold]Its about time someone came up with a good idea. This is superb. I would love the job of driving this. Bet your biggest offender would be women drivers. I see them everyday dropping the kids of at Janet Duke school and parking on the zigzags. They even leave the babies in the car whilst running in to drop their older kids off.
Lets hope that this scheme does well and lets slap some fines on these blonde, bimbo's driving their Chelsea tractors, (cars paid for by their husbands who are hard at work)[/bold]
Its about time someone came up with a good idea. This is superb. I would love the job of driving this. Bet your biggest offender would be women drivers. I see them everyday dropping the kids of at Janet Duke school and parking on the zigzags. They even leave the babies in the car whilst running in to drop their older kids off.
Lets hope that this scheme does well and lets slap some fines on these blonde, bimbo's driving their Chelsea tractors, (cars paid for by their husbands who are hard at work) Posted by: Steve on 7:41pm Fri 28 Mar 08
Illegal parkers? I'd rather they had a spy car out there eradicating the scum off the streets who beat up the innocent.
Illegal parkers? I'd rather they had a spy car out there eradicating the scum off the streets who beat up the innocent.
Posted by: paul myleg, laindon on 7:47pm Fri 28 Mar 08
[bold]Could we extend this spy car to catch people who throw ciggarette ends on the floor. The streets are getting full of fag butts and soon we will be walking on paths made of low-tar-mac.
Lets slap butt droppers more £80 fines and lets have a tidier Britain.[/bold]
Could we extend this spy car to catch people who throw ciggarette ends on the floor. The streets are getting full of fag butts and soon we will be walking on paths made of low-tar-mac.
Lets slap butt droppers more £80 fines and lets have a tidier Britain. Posted by: STEVE T, basildon on 8:14pm Fri 28 Mar 08
[quote][bold]paul myleg[/bold] wrote:
[bold]Could we extend this spy car to catch people who throw ciggarette ends on the floor. The streets are getting full of fag butts and soon we will be walking on paths made of low-tar-mac. Lets slap butt droppers more £80 fines and lets have a tidier Britain.[/bold] [/quote] i do not smoke anymore but just where do you think a smokler should put his burning but,a bin ?
I am glad i stopped smoking 2 years ago but this anti smokers is OTT.
paul myleg wrote:
Could we extend this spy car to catch people who throw ciggarette ends on the floor. The streets are getting full of fag butts and soon we will be walking on paths made of low-tar-mac. Lets slap butt droppers more £80 fines and lets have a tidier Britain.
i do not smoke anymore but just where do you think a smokler should put his burning but,a bin ?
I am glad i stopped smoking 2 years ago but this anti smokers is OTT.
Posted by: paul myleg, laindon on 8:55pm Fri 28 Mar 08
[bold]Just for the brain dead smokers or ex smokers, heres what you do. When you finish your ciggi, you step on the hot part to extinguish it and then put it in the bin. Or you can put it in your pocket and at the end of the night throw all your saved butts in your garden and see if you enjoy walking through them.
You could even put them on your double bed and you may end up with a KING-SIZE bed...[/bold]
Just for the brain dead smokers or ex smokers, heres what you do. When you finish your ciggi, you step on the hot part to extinguish it and then put it in the bin. Or you can put it in your pocket and at the end of the night throw all your saved butts in your garden and see if you enjoy walking through them.
You could even put them on your double bed and you may end up with a KING-SIZE bed... Posted by: Trainman on 9:37pm Fri 28 Mar 08
[bold]When I went to Janet Duke School it was Markhams Chase and the only cars then belonged to the teachers.
In Norfolk this lunchtime, I saw three police cars parked up and one had the engine running and NOBODY in it. Joe Public does it and gets booked. One law for them and another for us eh?[/bold]
When I went to Janet Duke School it was Markhams Chase and the only cars then belonged to the teachers.
In Norfolk this lunchtime, I saw three police cars parked up and one had the engine running and NOBODY in it. Joe Public does it and gets booked. One law for them and another for us eh? Posted by: evilc, essex on 8:06am Sat 29 Mar 08
I see we have the normal crap from the 'Anti anything Brigade' the people who are anti Police anti Law Enforcement and the very same people that find excuses for anything and everything they do whilst breaking the law.!!!
And as for saying they should find the scum of the street forgive me for saying but are these selfish drivers that put the lives of our children at risk not 'THE SCUM OF THE STREET' I have no doubt the irresponsible parkers are often the ones with no insurance or road tax and are normally the type who do not wear seat belts and never stop using their mobiles phones whilst driving!!!
SO TOUGH S--T!! if you break the law and don't like getting nicked then DONT BREAK THE LAW!!!
It is great that a method has been found to protect the silent majority AND OUR KIDS!!
I see we have the normal crap from the 'Anti anything Brigade' the people who are anti Police anti Law Enforcement and the very same people that find excuses for anything and everything they do whilst breaking the law.!!!
And as for saying they should find the scum of the street forgive me for saying but are these selfish drivers that put the lives of our children at risk not 'THE SCUM OF THE STREET' I have no doubt the irresponsible parkers are often the ones with no insurance or road tax and are normally the type who do not wear seat belts and never stop using their mobiles phones whilst driving!!!
SO TOUGH S--T!! if you break the law and don't like getting nicked then DONT BREAK THE LAW!!!
It is great that a method has been found to protect the silent majority AND OUR KIDS!!
Posted by: Steve, Romford on 12:50pm Sat 29 Mar 08
Just to make you aware, these cars need to give out 25,000 tickets a year to break even, that's 2083 tickets a month that need to be generated.
What they should be doing is staying clear of car parks and hitting the high streets.
Just to make you aware, these cars need to give out 25,000 tickets a year to break even, that's 2083 tickets a month that need to be generated.
What they should be doing is staying clear of car parks and hitting the high streets.
Posted by: evilc, essex on 2:46pm Sat 29 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Steve[/bold] wrote:
Just to make you aware, these cars need to give out 25,000 tickets a year to break even, that's 2083 tickets a month that need to be generated. What they should be doing is staying clear of car parks and hitting the high streets.[/quote] Sorry mate I do not know where you got this piece of information from?
However law enforcement and the protection of our children whilst using the roads outside their schools from inconsiderate lazy drivers should not be cost calculated whatever it costs to stop them from being killed by these bums is chicken feed.
Steve wrote:
Just to make you aware, these cars need to give out 25,000 tickets a year to break even, that's 2083 tickets a month that need to be generated. What they should be doing is staying clear of car parks and hitting the high streets.
Sorry mate I do not know where you got this piece of information from?
However law enforcement and the protection of our children whilst using the roads outside their schools from inconsiderate lazy drivers should not be cost calculated whatever it costs to stop them from being killed by these bums is chicken feed.
Posted by: reader, Benfleet on 2:47pm Sat 29 Mar 08
The gadget-filled Smart Car will be used to target inconsiderate drivers who park outside schools and in busy high streets.
Steve,they are!
Steve, they are!
The gadget-filled Smart Car will be used to target inconsiderate drivers who park outside schools and in busy high streets.
Steve,they are!
Steve, they are!
Posted by: phill, southend on 7:36pm Sat 29 Mar 08
[quote][bold]evilc[/bold] wrote:
I see we have the normal crap from the 'Anti anything Brigade' the people who are anti Police anti Law Enforcement and the very same people that find excuses for anything and everything they do whilst breaking the law.!!! And as for saying they should find the scum of the street forgive me for saying but are these selfish drivers that put the lives of our children at risk not 'THE SCUM OF THE STREET' I have no doubt the irresponsible parkers are often the ones with no insurance or road tax and are normally the type who do not wear seat belts and never stop using their mobiles phones whilst driving!!! SO TOUGH S--T!! if you break the law and don't like getting nicked then DONT BREAK THE LAW!!! It is great that a method has been found to protect the silent majority AND OUR KIDS!![/quote] from what I've seen in London it's the drivers and passengers in these smart cars that won't be obeying the law or wearing seatbelts.
evilc wrote:
I see we have the normal crap from the 'Anti anything Brigade' the people who are anti Police anti Law Enforcement and the very same people that find excuses for anything and everything they do whilst breaking the law.!!! And as for saying they should find the scum of the street forgive me for saying but are these selfish drivers that put the lives of our children at risk not 'THE SCUM OF THE STREET' I have no doubt the irresponsible parkers are often the ones with no insurance or road tax and are normally the type who do not wear seat belts and never stop using their mobiles phones whilst driving!!! SO TOUGH S--T!! if you break the law and don't like getting nicked then DONT BREAK THE LAW!!! It is great that a method has been found to protect the silent majority AND OUR KIDS!!
from what I've seen in London it's the drivers and passengers in these smart cars that won't be obeying the law or wearing seatbelts.
Posted by: K. Smith, Sunny Essex on 2:11am Sun 30 Mar 08
Is Basildon becoming the new East Germany?
The Basildon Bin Gestapo are going through peoples domestic waste just to hit folk with a £75.00 fine.
Basildon's Police park on the roadside with cameras to catch drivers. What about catching criminals and yobs?
Now the Stasi Smart car!
Are all these new fines to give the Tories another fat pay increase?
Thank God the local elections are this May and at least the people can stand up to this police state!
Is Basildon becoming the new East Germany?
The Basildon Bin Gestapo are going through peoples domestic waste just to hit folk with a £75.00 fine.
Basildon's Police park on the roadside with cameras to catch drivers. What about catching criminals and yobs?
Now the Stasi Smart car!
Are all these new fines to give the Tories another fat pay increase?
Thank God the local elections are this May and at least the people can stand up to this police state!
Posted by: PITA (pain in the ar**), BASILDON on 2:32pm Sun 30 Mar 08
[bold]bold[/bold] Perhaps it might just keep the foul mouthed Bimbo who drives a BLACK MERC 4*4 AND LIVES IN SPARROWS HERNE from parking on the Basildon Station taxi rank night after night during the rush hour.Oh yes we know who you are and if you keep it up I'LL PRINT YOUR REGISTRATION NO AND YOUR FULL ADDRESS .
Perhaps it might just keep the foul mouthed Bimbo who drives a BLACK MERC 4*4 AND LIVES IN SPARROWS HERNE from parking on the Basildon Station taxi rank night after night during the rush hour.Oh yes we know who you are and if you keep it up I'LL PRINT YOUR REGISTRATION NO AND YOUR FULL ADDRESS .
Posted by: Police State on 10:12am Mon 31 Mar 08
[quote][bold]evilc[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Steve[/bold] wrote: Just to make you aware, these cars need to give out 25,000 tickets a year to break even, that\'s 2083 tickets a month that need to be generated. What they should be doing is staying clear of car parks and hitting the high streets.[/quote] Sorry mate I do not know where you got this piece of information from? However law enforcement and the protection of our children whilst using the roads outside their schools from inconsiderate lazy drivers should not be cost calculated whatever it costs to stop them from being killed by these bums is chicken feed.[/quote] The problem is is that these drivers aren't being targeted in Romford. The stasi car is driving round housing estates fining people who park outside their houses.
Easy targets, clive.
Perhaps the councils should provide adequate parking in town centres and elsewhere rather than keep fining people who often have no choice but to park somewhere temporarily.
evilc wrote:
Steve wrote: Just to make you aware, these cars need to give out 25,000 tickets a year to break even, that\'s 2083 tickets a month that need to be generated. What they should be doing is staying clear of car parks and hitting the high streets.
Sorry mate I do not know where you got this piece of information from? However law enforcement and the protection of our children whilst using the roads outside their schools from inconsiderate lazy drivers should not be cost calculated whatever it costs to stop them from being killed by these bums is chicken feed.
The problem is is that these drivers aren't being targeted in Romford. The stasi car is driving round housing estates fining people who park outside their houses.
Easy targets, clive.
Perhaps the councils should provide adequate parking in town centres and elsewhere rather than keep fining people who often have no choice but to park somewhere temporarily.
Posted by: Stasi Car on 11:13am Mon 31 Mar 08
Plus they say that it's for schools, but Havering's car only picked up 2.8% of its fines outside schools.
The rest it got from hovering around housing estates.
Notice how councillor McKay calls the call "Armoury".
Are we that willing to be attacked by the people we vote into power?
Plus they say that it's for schools, but Havering's car only picked up 2.8% of its fines outside schools.
The rest it got from hovering around housing estates.
Notice how councillor McKay calls the call "Armoury".
Are we that willing to be attacked by the people we vote into power?
Posted by: Steve, Romford on 2:35pm Mon 31 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Stasi Car[/bold] wrote:
Plus they say that it\'s for schools, but Havering\'s car only picked up 2.8% of its fines outside schools. The rest it got from hovering around housing estates. Notice how councillor McKay calls the call \"Armoury\". Are we that willing to be attacked by the people we vote into power?[/quote] Exactly!
The number of tickets that needed to be generated was released by Havering Council.
I pulled out of the road I live in and saw one of these Smart cars sitting in a permit only parking area while looking at a street map!
Stasi Car wrote:
Plus they say that it\'s for schools, but Havering\'s car only picked up 2.8% of its fines outside schools. The rest it got from hovering around housing estates. Notice how councillor McKay calls the call \"Armoury\". Are we that willing to be attacked by the people we vote into power?
Exactly!
The number of tickets that needed to be generated was released by Havering Council.
I pulled out of the road I live in and saw one of these Smart cars sitting in a permit only parking area while looking at a street map!
Posted by: Kim Gandy, Rayleigh on 11:51pm Mon 31 Mar 08
[quote][bold]K. Smith[/bold] wrote:
Is Basildon becoming the new East Germany? The Basildon Bin Gestapo are going through peoples domestic waste just to hit folk with a £75.00 fine. Basildon's Police park on the roadside with cameras to catch drivers. What about catching criminals and yobs? Now the Stasi Smart car! Are all these new fines to give the Tories another fat pay increase? Thank God the local elections are this May and at least the people can stand up to this police state! [/quote] With regard to your last line; actually this does not happen.
People are lazy. They vote for the same old same old because they get all bent out of shape about giving anyone from any other party a chance.
Yes I am talking about the people of Basildon Crouch.
People need to remove their heads from up their rear ends and realise that the three main parties just ain't cutting it.
This time round, really DO vote for ANYBODY other than the mainstream lot.
A bunch of mentally retarded chimps perhaps? The Amoeba Party? Whatever... just don't vote Tory, Labour or LibDem or you really WILL regret it if you don't turn the tables NOW.
All are English-hating, politically correct and UTTERLY COMPLACENT.
Don't let them get away with it again.
K. Smith wrote:
Is Basildon becoming the new East Germany? The Basildon Bin Gestapo are going through peoples domestic waste just to hit folk with a £75.00 fine. Basildon's Police park on the roadside with cameras to catch drivers. What about catching criminals and yobs? Now the Stasi Smart car! Are all these new fines to give the Tories another fat pay increase? Thank God the local elections are this May and at least the people can stand up to this police state!
With regard to your last line; actually this does not happen.
People are lazy. They vote for the same old same old because they get all bent out of shape about giving anyone from any other party a chance.
Yes I am talking about the people of Basildon Crouch.
People need to remove their heads from up their rear ends and realise that the three main parties just ain't cutting it.
This time round, really DO vote for ANYBODY other than the mainstream lot.
A bunch of mentally retarded chimps perhaps? The Amoeba Party? Whatever... just don't vote Tory, Labour or LibDem or you really WILL regret it if you don't turn the tables NOW.
All are English-hating, politically correct and UTTERLY COMPLACENT.
Don't let them get away with it again.
Posted by: Who? on 11:46am Tue 1 Apr 08
Of course the above post is purely altruistic and is in no way done for personal political gain. Heaven forfend!
Of course the above post is purely altruistic and is in no way done for personal political gain. Heaven forfend!
Posted by: hayz, bas on 4:29pm Tue 1 Apr 08
our parking permits have already gone up in cost almost 100% this year and where myself and th other people in my street park we have no choic but to park halfway on the kerb or no other cars or garbage trucks etc would be able to get passed our cars. th traffic warden accepts this and doesn't giv us tickets. But will the smart car be so forgiving?
our parking permits have already gone up in cost almost 100% this year and where myself and th other people in my street park we have no choic but to park halfway on the kerb or no other cars or garbage trucks etc would be able to get passed our cars. th traffic warden accepts this and doesn't giv us tickets. But will the smart car be so forgiving?
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