- By Sergeant Brett Meale of Howick Police
My team of community constables are regularly called upon to deal with, or otherwise referee, an increasing number of disputes between neighbours.
Anecdotally, parking has become a significant catalyst of these disputes.
With the increasing proliferation of high-density housing and living, there’s been a substantial reduction in off-street parking, which has seen any street parking spaces become highly sought after.
Lately we’ve dealt with residents who have blocked off or protected a car park on the street through the use of road cones or other makeshift barriers.
Others have created their own off-street parking, in areas accessed from private driveways, for which they have no ownership or title to.
It’s no surprise then that other neighbours become aggrieved by these selfish actions and confront those who are engaging in this behaviour.
On occasions, what’s initially started out as a convivial conversation between neighbours regarding these parking situations, has escalated into verbal abuse, threats and at times physical confrontations, hence the necessity for my staff to become involved.
To avoid any doubt, the public road or street directly outside your house is not your property and you don’t have exclusive rights to that kerbside parking, nor can you cordon it off.
When free, it can be used by anyone to legally park. Likewise, you cannot use a neighbour’s private driveway to access your property, unless you have the explicit permission of the owners of that driveway.
Whilst my staff can issue parking infringements, if you have any concerns regarding the illegal parking of vehicles or believe a vehicle may have been abandoned, Auckland Transport should be your first point of contact.
If a vehicle has been left in suspicious circumstances or you suspect it may be stolen, and there are no persons present, please report to police via 105.
