I’ve been working from home since March and when I’m out for a daily walk I notice that all of my Burnaby neighbourhood’s parking has disappeared during the day.
It means others folks are not leaving for work because they too are working from home – or worse, aren’t working at hall.
It’s a small thing, but one of the many societal shifts that the COVID-19 pandemic has produced.
People know this and yet there’s one Burnaby strata that feels this is the perfect time to punish its residents who aren’t going out much.
A Burnaby resident who doesn’t want her name used wrote to me about how her strata decided to stage an unannounced “tow-a-thon” to crack down on people who are parking in certain areas longer than they should.
“For the first time in 30 years our strata implemented a bylaw penalty the other night after dark,” she said. “Anyone whose vehicle had been parked for more than 24 hours was hauled away.
“So you can’t help but ask, ‘Why now?’ Why would anyone choose to throw close neighbours, families, and extra hit of stress and anxiety during these times? … What if you are isolating or only days into a 14-day quarantine? Now what?”
All good questions.
Sure, I know rules have to be followed, but it does feel rotten to not at least post notices on windshields and work with residents during this difficult time.
But having been on strata councils before I know the large number of busy bodies who have nothing else to do but enforce strata justice around their complexes.
“The parking bylaws have never been enforced, but they chose to do it now. It’s a pretty disgusting feeling knowing that you pay maintenance every month to have this kind of ‘power trip’ thinking running your strata. They should all be ashamed of themselves.”
There should be some sort of balance here. COVID has changed a lot of behaviours in people and that should be remembered by those in positions of power.
Follow Chris Campbell on Twitter @shinebox44.
