Car Park

Controversy seems to have been created in our community now that our car park is ocassionally chained/ locked.

This idea originated from a need to protect our parking for our own activities during the Christmas/ post Christmas sales at Westfield. During this period we had very little trouble. Since then, we had hoped that by limiting access to the car park overnight we would reduce the dumping problem outside our shop.

Just this week, however, problems have arisen. Twice cars have been locked in. One was a young man who didn't speak English and needed one of our neighbours to call us to let him out. A second was an elderly lady who apparently uses our car park whenever she catches the bus to the hospital or to her volunteer work for another organisation. Her car was locked in and she sought the help of the same neighbour. You can imagine that this neighbour is getting frustrated! Not to mention the angry daughter of the elderly lady who shared her thoughts and criticisms with me this morning.

I will speak to the team members that locked up the car park last night - there should have been some sort of notice for the old lady. In the meantime we will seek a more adequate solution. Perhaps this will include signage at the car park entrance, perhaps we can print notes for cars belonging to those not attending our centre.

Suggestions would be appreciated.