Usurping public roads for private parking

I’ve written before on the practice many organisations indulge in, in appropriating the space in front of their buildings as ‘reserved’ parking spaces for themselves. I think the problem is assuming large proportions and the police department should launch a campaign and a drive against this pernicious practice.

I went to visit a friend who lives on Eagle Road, Langford Town. In front of her home is Agarwal Eye Hospital. My friend parked in the empty spot and promptly a security guard came and told us to park on the opposite site of the road because, “A patient will come in an ambulance.” I pointed out to him that the space beyond the gate was also empty enough to take a large ambulance, and it could be parked there.  

He once again told us not to park where we are. Then he added, “A Saudi patient is coming”. This really got out tempers riled, and my friend, who was (just out of good nature) planning to move her car to the opposite side of the road, dug her heels in and said she was not moving.

The security guard became rude and abusive. I told him in no uncertain terms that it was a public road and he had no business to usurp the parking space anywhere.  We left our car and walked into the apartment we wanted to visit.

NO ambulance, with or without a ‘Saudi patient’, came while we were there.  So why this farrago of lies to block off parking space on a publlic road?  Obviously, this harassment is with the knowledge of the authorities of the hospital.

Is there a number that such harassed users of the road can call and get some instant back-up?

I am sending this to the Agarwal Eye Hospital… Can someone tell me to whom, in the Police Department, I must mark it to?

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