WCVB reports that Mayor Walsh, fed up with reports of vandalism related to space savers, is threatening to end the whole 48-hour-after-a-storm space-saver thing.
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As someone who takes pride...
By anon
Thu, 01/11/2018 - 12:48pm
...in how thoroughly they shovel their space, I still say get rid of the space saver program. If I move it, I lose it.
If you don't want to shovel your car out, put it in a garage. Yes, that will cost money. No, you do not "own" public property.
If you don't like that idea, put down the McDonald's Extra Value Meal, get off your lazy ass, and shovel out the car.
Garage?
By anon
Thu, 01/11/2018 - 1:10pm
There are no garages anywhere near my house and in many parts of Boston. Not a solution unless you have lots of money and live downtown.
here´s the thing
By anon
Thu, 01/11/2018 - 3:49pm
you chose to own a car in the city.
you have to deal with the responsibilities that come with that.
one of those responsibilities is finding a place to put it. you want to use free public space to do it? fine, but shoveling out and looking for a new spot when you get home is the price you have to pay.
so there´s no garage or lot near your house? okay. why is that anyone else´s fault? why do the rest of us have to give you ownership over public space? just because you whine about it and threaten violence?
Good point
By Using actual lo...
Thu, 01/11/2018 - 8:18pm
And while we're at it, can we do something about those that chose to own bikes in the city? I'm sick and tired of these bike owners feeling entitled to public roads, so much so that they've bullied the city into reserving sections of public property specifically for them.
So you're too poor or too hipster to own a car? Okay, why is that anyone else's fault?
Taken sarcastically or not,
By Dot net
Fri, 01/12/2018 - 6:06am
Taken sarcastically or not, illogical regardless, despite your posting handle.
I own cars and also bike in the city.
By RMM
Fri, 01/12/2018 - 9:05am
No one said that you shouldn't be able to park your car on the street or have a car in the city. They merely ask that you take responsibility for the car and pay to store/park it if you need exclusive use of a parking spot. Also that car ownership and shoveling a spot doesn't entitle you to exclusive ownership of a parking spot for the remainder of the winter. Bicycles, pedestrians, cars and speedo wearing rollerskaters are all equally entitled to the streets. We all pay property taxes (or rent that pays taxes), so we've all paid for the streets.
Except bikers aren't
By hux
Fri, 01/12/2018 - 9:15am
Except bikers aren't vandalizing each other's property over reserving space in a bike rack.
No one is arguing to get rid of roads, the argument is that just because you own a car does not mean you can own a piece of public property.
Equating providing bike lanes with allowing people to claim a piece of public property as their own couldn't be a larger distortion of the actual situation.
Bicycles have very little
By cinnamngrl
Fri, 01/12/2018 - 11:19am
Bicycles have very little space reserved for bike racks compared to all the parking spaces that exist in the city.
Logic doesn't work on bad data
By anon
Fri, 01/12/2018 - 11:51am
Drivers don't pay the entire cost of roads. Non drivers pay property tax, sales tax, income tax plus medical costs that result from driving pollution and driver obesity, too.
And many cyclists also own cars. We pay for insurance, license, tolls, gas, etc.
So take the T
By BostonDog
Thu, 01/11/2018 - 5:22pm
Life sucks for you. You want, "need", to own a car and but you can't afford an off street space and parking it further away would be, like, totally inconvenient.
So what makes it OK to shift your problem to everyone else? Why do you deserve special treatment when people who don't have a space saver get similarly screwed?
Yep, I have a car in Boston
By anon
Thu, 01/11/2018 - 8:08pm
Yep, I have a car in Boston and I pay for a space (about $1200/yr In Eastie) just so I don't have to deal with the stupidity. It's a lot for an uncovered space that I still have to shovel out if I want to use my car, but it beats being part of the pestilence. Cheaper than physical therapy from being gutshot by some psycho, too.
Want a dedicated space? PAY. That is how it works.
$100/month in Eastie???
By karenz
Sat, 01/13/2018 - 1:25am
WHERE please tell me!!
Maybe a garage is not a solution
By anon
Thu, 01/11/2018 - 6:11pm
but that doesn't mean there aren't others.
Here's a few that pop to mind:
- shovel out your car when you want to park it
- rent an off-street parking space
- take a bus
- take the train
- move to a different part of town
- move someplace without snow
- stop expecting others to remedy your poorly justified "needs"
Sounds great but you do know
By Metoo
Fri, 01/12/2018 - 1:39pm
Sounds great but you do know that there are some very poor people in this city that are struggling to keep their car on the road so that they can get to a job that might not be MBTA accessible. Maybe they have a baby that they need to drop off at daycare that isn’t near their job. Maybe that if they’re late one more time they lose that job. Not everyone has the options that you or I do. Space saving might sound ridiculous but for some people like in this example not having a parking spot in their neighborhood is a nightmare.
If the space-saving business were stopped, as it should be,
By mplo
Sat, 01/13/2018 - 8:50am
more people would be able to find spaces within the neighborhood(s) in which they reside.
The city should step up to the plate and do a far better job of snow removal after a big snowfall than it does. That would solve a lot of problems.
I'll believe it when I see it
By ChrisInEastie
Thu, 01/11/2018 - 12:51pm
People already ignore the 48 hour rule as if it doesn't apply to them, what makes him think anyone is going to listen when they're banned altogether? We saw a great example in the South End yesterday.
I have 0 faith the Walsh Administration would commit to actually enforcing this, and question whether the city even has the resources needed to do so in an impactful way.
48 hours
By anon
Thu, 01/11/2018 - 1:19pm
I ignore the 48 hour rule as do my neighbors on (name not disclosed) street in Dorchester. In most cases Marty does not enforce the ridiculous 48 hour rule, and that's a good thing. Everyone needs to take a chill pill. The snow will thaw and the space savers will disappear eventually. I shoveled out my space and I will not shovel our a new space every time I drive somewhere and return to my house. Despite all the vitriol about space savers on Uhub, space savers are used by the majority of car owners in areas like Dorchester, and we will continue to do so because the system works.
Violance
By BostonDog
Thu, 01/11/2018 - 3:56pm
The problem isn't the savers, it's the fact people feel entitled to vandalize someone's car if the "rule" is broken.
If it was wasn't for vigilante retribution no one would care.
I agree
By BlackKat
Fri, 01/12/2018 - 7:56am
And therefore, since okay to claim property as your own that doesn't belong to you, I am claiming your house in Dorchester. But because I'm a nice guy, you have 30 days to vacate the premises.
Translation
By ChrisInEastie
Fri, 01/12/2018 - 9:22am
"Screw all of you, the rules don't apply to me. I am above them"
well my street uses space savers too
By cinnamngrl
Fri, 01/12/2018 - 11:37am
And so I used one yesterday. Someone is picking them up though, because they were all gone 3 hours later. By either luck, or fear, no one parked in my spot. While No crime is acceptable, it is frustrating to park in the winter. I think this was inevitable since the mayor brought up the subject at all. Now its a stupid crusade.
Your spot?
By anon
Fri, 01/12/2018 - 11:55am
It isn't your spot.
By luck or fear nobody parked in the publicly-owned spot you left.
brave anon crusader
By cinnamngrl
Mon, 01/15/2018 - 11:24am
That comment is exactly what I mean. In context, my spot does not imply ownership. That fact that you need to "correct" me is ridiculous.
The resources needed are
By Kinopio
Thu, 01/11/2018 - 1:22pm
The resources needed are garbage trucks. The city certainly has some of those. Just send them out more often after storms. Any garbage on the street goes into the truck.
Good on Marty for acknowledging a system that doesn't work and is an international embarrassment for the city.
Oh yeah
By ChrisInEastie
Thu, 01/11/2018 - 1:34pm
I totally forgot about that fleet of self-driving, fully automated, electric garbage trucks, complete with smart arms that can determine where and what an object is, what it weighs, and where/how to pick it up. That also happen to be Transformers, capable of holding those who vandalize cars because they think the person stole "their" spot accountable.
Pick up space savers on each
By anon
Thu, 01/11/2018 - 3:04pm
Pick up space savers on each street's regular trash day. The additional time is minimal.
City of Boston doesn’t do
By Lmo
Thu, 01/11/2018 - 4:16pm
City of Boston doesn’t do weekly trash pick up, it’s contracted to another company.
And
By ElizaLeila
Fri, 01/12/2018 - 9:03am
as Lmo noted, trash and recycling is contracted out, I wouldn't be surprised if there is a line item in the contract regarding dealing (or not dealing) with space savers.
Another resource
By anon
Thu, 01/11/2018 - 1:38pm
48 hours to move your vehicle to the other side of the street.
I agree with you, but they
By Steve Brady
Thu, 01/11/2018 - 1:46pm
I agree with you, but they will get attacked, just like traffic enforcement got attacked when they tried to crack down on double parking on Broadway.
Wait, what?
By erik g
Thu, 01/11/2018 - 2:08pm
That seriously happened? Seems like the city's first priority ought to be making sure that its citizens respect the rule of law, like perhaps by making a huge example of people who ATTACK MUNICIPAL WORKERS. Jesus, this city.
I forget his name, but yes,
By Steve Brady
Thu, 01/11/2018 - 2:22pm
I forget his name, but yes, someone from the local police station told us that at a public meeting (the one that preceded this one that got cancelled).
We're world class, yo.
By tofu
Thu, 01/11/2018 - 2:52pm
We're world class, yo.
Sure
By anon
Thu, 01/11/2018 - 1:54pm
And where is the money to fund these additional trash pickups? And " international embarrassment ", really? I suggest you find a way to overcome your constant agitation on this issue. Perhaps a hobby like smoking weed. It will do wonders for your attitude.
BTW, in the past the city has been known to pick up space savers on the scheduled trash day. But they do not pick up trash or recycling containers. Not surprisingly many of us use trash or recycling containers for our space savers.
Cheaper option
By anon
Thu, 01/11/2018 - 1:55pm
Scrap trucks.
International Embarrassment?
By Lisa
Thu, 01/11/2018 - 6:52pm
I’m sure Boston’s space saver issue is not an international concern!!
Maybe not these days ...
By adamg
Thu, 01/11/2018 - 7:44pm
But back in 2015 ...
Bingo
By Waquiot
Thu, 01/11/2018 - 1:40pm
Even before Menino came up with this, there were space savers and battles like this, only without the secondary media coverage (I'm looking at you Gaffin, but also twitter.) Even after Tom said that this was the law of the land and the law will be respected, the 48 hour thing was only a theoretical deadline in a lot of places. Heck, both mayors during the time of this policy relaxed it after major storms, with the understanding that one's traffic cone wasn't safe forever.
But look at the example you gave. In the South End, which theoretically does not allow any kind of space saving, there was an incident we'll say 98 hours after the snow emergency was lifted, meaning twice the time the saver would have been allowed if it were allowed, which is wasn't because it was the South End. How is Walsh decreeing an end to the practice really going to stop it?
I will say this, Walsh had to step up and denounce the violence. Maybe rattling the sabre like this will do something. Who knows?
He needs to tell us what the
By Steve Brady
Thu, 01/11/2018 - 1:48pm
He needs to tell us what the alternative to violence is, then. There are two ways to enforce property rights: private violence or the rule of law. The alternative to the vandalism is that he creates a system where people whose spaces are stolen can call 911 and expect a swift response, either a tow or a ticket of the offending car.
Property rights?
By Kathode
Thu, 01/11/2018 - 2:03pm
They are public streets not private parking spots.
There are no property rights
By anon
Thu, 01/11/2018 - 2:07pm
You don't own your space. It isn't your property. You have no right to it.
You should lose your privilege to use it if you misbehave.
Spaces stolen?
By bosguy22
Thu, 01/11/2018 - 2:10pm
What are you talking about? Nobody "stole" anyone's space. Say it with me, YOU DON'T OWN PUBLIC PROPERTY BECAUSE YOU SPENT 25MINS SHOVELING YOUR CAR OUT.
.
Why are you yelling? I agree
By Steve Brady
Thu, 01/11/2018 - 2:25pm
Why are you yelling? I agree with you. I'm talking about the system he has endorsed. Sorry "system" is that better?
The alternative is respect
By Waquiot
Thu, 01/11/2018 - 2:41pm
And respect is a two way street.
Look, I see the sense of limiting the amount of time people get to have dibs on a spot that they shoveled out, but the 48 hour thing is too rigid. The rigidity goes both ways. The city declares a snow emergency, then the air currents change and the foot predicted is 3 inches and yes, SOBs that didn't lift a shovel throw chairs out on the street and claim a space. Conversely, were I the czar of space saving, I would have allowed it until today, but not a minute after midnight, since this was a rough snow (and if there are people who disagree, make sure you haven't commented on the sidewalks and curbs) that is finally manageable.
Moreover, I do think there are ways to vent in either direction short of violence. Heck, there is vandalism possible that would not entail actual destruction of property, like getting out the hose when it is below freezing and washing the person's car. And violence against a person should be a no-no in any circumstances. That should be known to anyone, regardless of the situation. Leave a note. Shovel out a new space using where you shoveled before, which is now occupied by another car, as a place to put the snow.
Violence is never the answer. Never.
Respect for the law
By anon
Thu, 01/11/2018 - 4:03pm
The law that says that you don't own public property, never have, never will.
Grow up and stop enabling. Or, better yet, my drunken uncle would love to marry you with your complex excuse making behavior.
Look, if the space saver
By anon
Thu, 01/11/2018 - 8:18pm
Look, if the space saver crowd routinely put notes out saying their estimated return time and did not slash tires or smash windows, it might be just a bit of local color.
But what is the neighborhood dog walker, house cleaner, construction worker supposed to do when every space on a street has already been shoveled and has a threat of violence sitting in the space for 14+ hrs/day?
This is STUPID. Buy a space or sell your car.
You need someone to give you
By Lmo
Thu, 01/11/2018 - 4:18pm
You need someone to give you an “alternative to violence”?!? Find another spot, if it ends up being miles away, Uber home.
A spot across the street from
By anon
Thu, 01/11/2018 - 8:12pm
A spot across the street from me on Sumner has been "saved" for at least 4 GD days with nothing in it but a folding chair. No sign of any vehicle for daaaays. Is it a political statement or pure selfishness? Both? Either way it does the neighborhood no favors. Enough already.
Solution
By Rob O
Fri, 01/12/2018 - 9:50am
It's simple: finish your coffee this morning, walk outside and move the folding chair to the sidewalk at least several spaces away. If anyone bothers you, call 911.
That's pure selfishness, and indicates a 3rd grade maturity.
By mplo
Sat, 01/13/2018 - 8:58am
It's absolutely disgusting that people act like spoiled brats when it comes to parking spaces in the winter, and then act like a child who's just broken a new toy when somebody takes their space.
I think the city workers who
By anon
Sat, 01/13/2018 - 7:08pm
I think the city workers who go around ticketing businesses and homes for not shoveling the sidewalks could also gather up the space savers and toss em into an area to be collected.
About time!
By anon
Thu, 01/11/2018 - 1:04pm
About time!
Maybe Walsh could threaten to
By anon
Thu, 01/11/2018 - 1:08pm
Maybe Walsh could threaten to actually enforce the law he signed and start fining people $250 for illegally reserving a public way.
Who gets the ticket? Is it
By Lmo
Thu, 01/11/2018 - 4:20pm
Who gets the ticket? Is it attached to the cone, lamp, air conditioner, car battery, etc that is saving the space in the street?
Can’t wait to see how this
By Lmo
Thu, 01/11/2018 - 1:14pm
Can’t wait to see how this plays out!
Marshall law in Southie.
By anon
Thu, 01/11/2018 - 1:29pm
Marshall law in Southie. Entire blocks on fire as yuppies flee. Roving gangs chugging Dunkin's while marauding like something out of Mad Max movie. Realtors changing their copy to write about the authentic 'Warriors' experience in SoBo. Amazon deploying a killer drone army to make the city safe for its WORLD DOMINATION LAIR --- I mean secondary global headquarters.
I was thinking more that
By Lmo
Thu, 01/11/2018 - 4:21pm
I was thinking more that things will continue going on as they have for years.
It's "martial"
By lbb
Fri, 01/12/2018 - 9:50am
...as in, "related to war".
Please, Mr. Mayor
By Fitz
Thu, 01/11/2018 - 1:27pm
Now is the time to finally end the formal sanctioning of this practice. The city should not be endorsing vigilante justice on its streets.
Start suspending parking permits
By Boston_res
Thu, 01/11/2018 - 1:27pm
There is absolutely no excuse at all for vandalizing another person's property. Start suspending the parking permits of those who cause such destruction.
You are kidding right?
By anon
Thu, 01/11/2018 - 10:08pm
I haven't had s resident sticker for the last 3 years and I've never been ticketed. Please everyone, stop the idiotic suggestions.
Hard Work
By StillFromDorchester
Thu, 01/11/2018 - 1:55pm
After shoveling out my car once and chopping it out of 2 inches of ice after an unfortunate fire in my neighborhood I feel entitled to my labor in the form of a parking space. My neighbors and I are in agreement and in all the years living here I've never seen anything violent happen because of space saving. I know it happens but not on my street as far as I can tell.We respect the unwritten code.
I do find it odd that people who complain about the code while looking for a parking spot don't just pull out a shovel and start digging ( there are about 8 spots in front of the park near my home there for the taking)
Nope
By anon
Thu, 01/11/2018 - 1:40pm
I pay more taxes than you, so I feel entitled to your spot when I go to work.
How does that sound?
You cleared your car so that you can use your car. That gives you absolutely zero claim to anything. It doesn't matter whether or not your neighbors agree that it is okay to steal public property. They can offer you space in their driveway.
Who pray tell is going to
By Lmo
Thu, 01/11/2018 - 4:22pm
Who pray tell is going to stop them?
Exactly
By anon
Thu, 01/11/2018 - 1:44pm
I also live in Dorchester, in Fields Corner. If the fire you refer to was the Allston St fire, I live very close to you. I agree 100% with your statement.
For all of you that are hyperventilating about the use of space savers, please note that StillfromDot and I are both telling you that at least in our neighborhood, the space saver system is supported by the neighborhood, and there have been no known violence associated with them.
Not so simple
By SteveE
Thu, 01/11/2018 - 2:18pm
People who save spaces do not shovel out the space, they shovel out their car. That's what they signed up for when they left it there with a snow storm coming.
Most of this vandalism is on innocent people who parked in a spot that was not being saved because SOMEONE ELSE (city or whoever) removed the space saver since it was well past the deadline.
I think most people are respecting the unwritten code, but a third party complicates it.
You're're "entitled" to nothing
By anon
Thu, 01/11/2018 - 2:58pm
If you care so much about "your" spot, don't bother to shovel out your car. Problem solved.
Nobody asked you to shovel out your car, so don't act like doing it entitles you to anything. The rest of the city doesn't care if you use your car or not. Stop acting like maintaining your own stuff entitles you to lay a claim to public property.
To be fair
By Sock_Puppet
Thu, 01/11/2018 - 3:06pm
They'd have to park their cars first.
You nailed it
By Bob Leponge
Thu, 01/11/2018 - 3:22pm
That right there is the root of the problem, isn't it?
Having agreement with neighbors is good, but the problem is
By anon
Thu, 01/11/2018 - 10:16pm
that you and your neighbors can't override law/ordinance, and use illegal means to deny others lawful use of public property.
It's public property. It's not yours just because it's outside your house. It's not yours just because you and your neighbors decided it's yours. The law saws quite clearly that it's not yours. The mayor has reiterated. What part is unclear?
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