Parents Accuse Council Rangers of Bullying at Newcastle School Pick-Up
A parent from Newcastle East Public School has raised serious concerns, alleging that City of Newcastle parking rangers are deliberately targeting mums and dads during the chaotic afternoon pick-up period. Kate Smyth, who has a daughter in kindergarten, reported that rangers frequently wait near the school to issue fines to parents stopping in a no-stopping zone to collect their children.
Hefty Penalties and Stealth Tactics
The penalty for disobeying a no-stopping sign in a school zone exceeds $420 and includes two demerit points. Smyth stated, "Most afternoons they will be there, and some parents have even said now they're driving around in cars to be sneaky." She added that two parents were fined during orientation day, heightening feelings of being singled out. "You feel bullied because they're just specifically there to target us," Smyth expressed, describing the situation as increasingly stressful and unsafe.
Council Defends Safety Measures
A City of Newcastle spokesman responded by noting that the council has received multiple complaints about "dangerous activity" near the school, which poses risks to children and parents. "When motorists comply with road safety rules, the chances of a child ending up in hospital are significantly reduced," the spokesman emphasized. He explained that parking fines are a method of enforcing rules to ensure community safety and are only issued to motorists violating regulations. Regular patrols are conducted at schools across the city to protect students and the public.
Lack of Transparency and Parental Stress
When questioned by the Newcastle Herald about the number of fines and demerit points issued around the school in the past month, the council did not provide specific figures. Smyth highlighted that the pick-up zone is in a residential area, already chaotic and stressful for parents. "Now we've got that added fear that we're going to lose demerit points just to take our children home," she said, expressing shock at the situation. Parents are reportedly rushing to quickly retrieve their children and avoid penalties, potentially exacerbating safety issues.
This incident underscores ongoing tensions between parental convenience and council enforcement in school zones, with calls for clearer communication and balanced approaches to road safety.
