UPDATED: The OPP has responded to concerns expressed in a letter to this publication by a Go Home Lake resident regarding police parking in limited accessible parking spaces. You can find the response HERE.
I am a retired resident of Go Home Lake which is a water access lake near Bala. There are about 500 cottages serviced by two privately owned marinas and one large public parking and boat launch.
Public parking is about a three minute walk from the main dock which is used for pick-up and drop-off only. Near that dock are about six accessible parking spaces for the entire lake of 500 or so cottages. Obviously these spaces go quickly. There isn’t room for more spaces because of the physical features of the area.
At least six times I’ve seen the OPP use the accessible parking spaces when doing regular marine patrols of our lake. They are not there for emergency calls, it’s routine visits. When they use these spaces they occupy at least two of the six accessible spaces while a few minutes away is plenty of space for their truck and trailer. I’m attaching a photo of the latest from our ‘finest’. When I asked the OPP officer why they were parked there his response was “where we park is no business of yours.
Chris Hardie
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Rather a non comment sure can garner a variety of viewpoints.
Some claim that our officers can park where and when they want. I guess so; but if not necessary, why do that! Why block your driveway while they go to a food truck? Maybe, but likely just a certain few. But why take handicapped spots if there is another, maybe not quite so convenient spot? If there were a call to the lake, the vehicle and tow would likely be abandon on the boat ramp. Possibly there would be some complaints. People!
There was the comment pointing out that not all OPP were rude. Inferring that we should be glad that there are good cops and we need to understand there will be a percentage of bad ones? Just as long as there is a good average! I can’t imagine even the police want that.
The TOW and IMPOUND effort I would like to see. Someone call a company to come and remove a Police vehicle and trailer from the site. Might be a hoot to do it but you better believe there will be an attendant world of “Golly” to follow the act. Besides, I don’t think ten men and sharp sticks would get the tow dude to snap a hook on that baby.
There is one comment that outlines all the reasons that an officer may be irritable. A plethora of “What if ” situations. Well “What if the puppy hadn’t stopped to poo?” He could have caught the bunny. Nobody can know the circumstances that may unfold. One can only be prepared and in the case of an officer, be well trained.
The jewel in the list almost makes me sad to have been retired all these dull, dreary, wasted years. When there was still the opportunity to work with the ray of sunshine the man seems to be. Have a bit of a suspicion though, that there are those that work with this person who are rooting for him to achieve retirement.
Guess I’ll just have to leave it to others to enjoy that radiance.
Wow! I get your frustration. But these people are out their to protect and save lives. What if they get another emergency call back and they have to run that extra 3 minutes? Meanwhile whatever the scenario.. turns badly due to 3 minutes. Could be you in need..
Let them park there 🤦♀️
You want this to stop? TOW and IMPOUND their illegally parked rig. You see when not acting in an active investigation they cannot park in accessible handicap parking. As a citizen you can file complaints with the Canadian version of the ADA fir disabled rights…
Now I guarantee the officers will be spitting fore and WILL become tyrants trying to exert their will upon everyone involved because they are about to eat a cowpatty whole!!
Dont bend!! Get evidence documented and file charges with courts against the officers and the police department and city hall.
The act of what theyre doing with echo with deafening reaonance as a good lawyer will ruin there attempts to cover up this crime. And dont be fooled coproaches live to bully people they get off on it you can tell by their entitled attitude just by parking in a handicap zone
Some may think me crass but truly look at it from a disabled persons view and Im one for 34 yrs now and counting
Do this one time and I guarantee things will change when the media and the mayor and police chief have to answer the tough questions qithout the ability to cover it up
Police ( on behalf of the Crown) have the legal right to park where they wish while doing their duty. It’s that simple. Get over it.
The OPP have no business talking like that to you. OPP work for you. Respect. That’s what you should.expect, and receive.
You damn right it’s their business. They pay the taxes on that land, which covers the cost of parking for that spot and also pays your salary. You arrogant… Those are the type of police, that shouldn’t be police… entitledb You’re here to protect and serve not trapse all over the law.
Rude very rude. I would’ve told him off..
I have been harrassed many times by Toronto police because of my handicapped parking permit. I’ve even been yelled at by them. I don’t know what it is but they seem to have little respect for handicapped parking spaces or disabled people in general.
Hopefully the boss can get this fixed. Or start making designated spots for them, and what looks like an ‘attitude of entitlement ‘. That’s a clear need defined for these people who ‘serve us’. The boss I’m sure will get them sorted out. They are clocking a paycheck and should behave like it!
9 times out of 10 the person telling the story leaves out the part where they were rudely and condescendingly accusing the police of some type of wrongdoing. If you are concerned, file a complaint but be prepared to apologize if the police have their cameras on and you haven’t told the full story.
I am sure they have used this spot frequently, know how many people typically use regular vs disabled parking spaces, and will change if it becomes an issue with cottages arriving.
Police typically only shut people down when they are being argumentative after being asked to discuss the issue calmly, or they genuinely are on an investigation and can’t share details.
People don’t realize that someone getting upset with them, loudly and aggressively, could be someone creating a distraction while another crime is taking place. While you are demanding answers, they are having to look around to see what else is happening.
It’s possible they could have been rude. If it’s hot, it’s the end of a 12 hour shift where they had to take someone to the hospital who was mentally ill and threatening their family, had someone threaten suicide and as the officers arrive, they die by suicide with no chance of survival, maybe they held the hand of a child who’s parents were both being taken to jail for dealing, and at the end of their shift they are asked to deal with something else and instead are greeted by someone angry about their parking. They are human.
Well he has a point. If anyone asked why I parked somewhere I’d give the same response. But hey, if this was a fire truck this wouldn’t even be news. Just another reason to whine about the police. Move on people
Very poor image and less than stellar response.
Retired officer
Personally, I would have asked for his badge # and started with a complaint about his attitude. If we are not allowed to ask legitimate questions to our ‘ serve and protect ‘ PAID employees, there must be something very wrong. We live in Canada, not the states!!!
First of all, my mentioning the fact that your retired and the lot is private let’s me beileive you have a sense of entitlement and as such were offended when the officer basically told you off.
Next time mind your business. Officers put their lives on th line everyday and don’t need you to confront them and flex that your unlintimated by them.
You sound like a complete J . If the spots were so coveted then why was OPP able to secure 2 spots on 6 different occasions.
Find something else to complete your dull retired life besides complaining and publishing this nonsense photo that you took only to intimate the officer who put you in your place..lol good on OPP.
It is funny how all of you complain about stuff that really doesn’t matter. You sound like a bunch of entitled people. I bet you will also be the first ones to call when someone breaks into your house or races by your cottage on a seadoo. You should be happy there is police precense in your area. Not all police officers are rude, as civilians we should be thankful and polite to the people that risk their lives everyday.
That’s ridiculous sounds like a gang member not a peace keeper they once told us that they were here to govern the peace but now it is a completely different story on instead of a peace keeper now they identify as police officers opp is the largest government gang in Ontario there academy tactics such as that attitude this lady speaks of is taught to every single one of them blue in blue out
Hopefully they rethink where they park now.
Sounds about right: When questioned about inappropriate behavior, their response is always don’t question us, we do what we want and if you complain we’ll ruin your life. I’m so sick and tired of their nearly limitless power with almost no real oversight or consequences unless they’re literally caught red-handed on video and even then it’s quite often: We investigated ourselves and found that we did nothing wrong, so continue on, nothing to see here.
Do as I say, not as I do
I’ve got a gun and a badge too
With those you listen to me
Not I you.
What kind of ego says something like that? Our police are an absolute disgrace.
Its just OPP building relationships with the community.
Usual stuff.