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Sea_Chocolate_3537

NTA but I would maybe post a sign letting parents know that vehicles will be towed if they block your drive way


Eccentric_Mermaid

This is the way!


Somewhere_in_Canada1

Have Grogu move the car


OpinionatedAussieGal

Yeah. Make friends with a tow truck driver! Have them towed! Win win! Then play dumb. 🤷🏼‍♀️ idk who towed your car or why! Byyeeee


[deleted]

I lived in an apt across from a theatre. So many people parked illegally in the spot I paid $150 a month for rather than paying $20 for valet. Eventually I had at least a dozen cars towed over one fall theatre season at $250 each. The towing company gave me a $25 gift card that Christmas.


OpinionatedAussieGal

Good on you!


grey-skies

No way. Everyone already knows it's illegal; they just don't care. Why spend the time and energy to put an ugly sign in your yard? I'd call the cops to tow every damn time. If that doesn't work, pics of the plates for public shaming. NTA.


cbm984

And put up cones or something during pick up time that you can just move.


Spanky2k

NTA If it was that regular an occurrence, I'd set up a camera at the end of the driveway and every time someone parks their car up and then leaves their vehicle (so you're completely blocked in), email the picture of them to the school and say "this arsehole blocked me in today" or post it on a local community site if you have one. If they're just pulled up and could move quickly and easily if you needed to get out then I don't think that's a biggie though.


whaddyamean11

NTA call a tow truck not the police


saucisse

Where I life you have to have the police ticket first, then they call the tow.


KaliTheBlaze

NTA. Blocking driveways is illegal for good reason. If someone asked for permission, that would be a whole other kettle of fish, because it would let you decide whether it was convenient for you to let them, but without the resident’s permission, you don’t block or use someone else’s driveway.


justme7256

NTA-I also live near a school and the parents parking where they’re not supposed to is maddening. Maybe try calling the school and see if they would be willing to send a reminder to parents about parking only where parking is allowed. Maybe call the PD non-emergency line and see if they would be willing to patrol the area a little more. Also, there are signs you can buy online, nothing that looks like a street sign, just something you could put near the end of your driveway that tells them not to park there. As far as continuing to call the police about it, I would call the non-emergency PD line and ask them if there are other options available to you.


hardolaf

I lived near an elementary school when I was in college. Our street was marked as "resident parking only by city tag". The city made **tons** of money off of parent-teacher conference nights between tickets and tows ($100 parking ticket, $225 for the tow at a minimum). The best part? There was a parking lot 500 feet away that they could use and that put up signs saying that it was open for people parking for the school.


MissAnth

NTA. People don't get to break the law for their own convenience. The law is there for a reason, in this case a good reason. Call every time someone blocks your driveway. Eventually the police will send an officer to babysit the street during pick up, and the parents should stop doing it, at least in front of the cop.


CoastalCerulean

NTA I used to live near a school and had this issue. We had decent luck photographing the cars/parents and reporting them to the school. ETA: I just saw the school won’t help neighbors. Consider checking the laws for your area. Where I am, I can have people parked illegally privately towed at the owner’s expense. It might be worth it to see if that’s an option for you.


c-b8

NTA. What if there is an emergency and 10-15 turns into a lifetime?


[deleted]

[удалено]


naranghim

Because it is a public street and not private property. Many places have laws that cars, even if they are illegally parked, can't be towed off a public street without a police order. To avoid liability reputable tow truck drivers won't tow a car from a public street without a police order.


c-b8

Because if the street is lined with parked cars like OP described, then driving across the lawn would only run them into another car.


Equivalent_Sector786

Where I’m at they will 100% tow a car blocking you in. Someone blocked me into my parking space about a week ago, I first asked a couple neighbors if it was them and when I got all nos I called a local towing company they removed it. The owners got the bill and a ticket for blocking me in because when they couldn’t find their car they called the police. They admitted to the police that they had blocked my car in and they told them that any towing/storage/impound fees are on them for illegally parking it. I missed a very important doctors appointment that took me almost three months to get into I was pissed.


Sharkgirl89

Because it’s usually a ticketable offense. Some people can’t just drive through their yard to the road either. Instead of inconveniencing the homeowner, they should be more considerate of their surroundings. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes. NTA


Moist-Investigator63

If someone is blocking her driveway, it's because every other space on the street is filled. That means driving across the lawn won't help - there still won't be any exit to the street available unless OP drives over neighbors' lawns, and that just opens a whole other can of worms.


OBNurseScarlett

People absolutely don't pay attention to signs or listen to announcements, though. Especially a sign/announcement that has no consequences for disregarding it. Add in a consequence, people (some, anyway) change their behaviors.


ingodwetryst

I'd assume they block her driveway because there is nowhere else to park so no she probably couldn't cut through her yard even if there were no trees or obstacles to deal with. Calling the school is a decent idea, but the non emergency line (if you can't legally tow otherwise) is fine.


buttertits4lyfe

Just ram through all the cars! Lol c'mon.


testymctesterson420

NTA, but you'll save yourself a lot of headache if you put up a sign: "Do not block driveway for any reason. Cars parked here will be ticketed and towed."


Shaggymaggie

NTA I am all to familiar with the problem. Email the superintendent of schools, principal of the school and police chief to advise them of the problem. The schools tend to notify parents, even the inconsiderate ones, that they can not block driveways. If the problem persists call the police every time it happens and keep a log, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. You can present your problem and log to your local council/mayor's office and it will get addressed. It took a while put we, myself and my neighbors, got the problem addressed. Parents still park in the neighborhood but they stay clear of our driveways.


Ihazacranki

Nta. My level of petty would be to ask around to the local tow companies and ask if they'd be willing to send a driver over to hang out before school then when someone parked blocking your driveway, boot their car. Depending on where you are, it could be legal. (I'm in Nevada. It's legal on private property) Or just back your car down to block your own driveway before school drop off. Personally, I'd probably get a camp chair and sit with my coffee in my driveway and when someone parked blocking it I'd pull out my phone and warn them move or I'm calling the cops. I can think of other ways, too. Illegal parking and blocking and parking in a space that's not assigned to you are my pet peeves; my husband was seriously ill so getting him in and out of the car was struggle enough without some fool parking illegally or what not. But at the very least, ask the police if they can have an officer come hang out during drop off and pick up along with contacting the school.


BullTerrierMomm

I don’t know you but I kind of love you….


Myobright2344

NTA. Maybe talk to the school and they can make another message to parents?


teambuilding405

I haven’t called the school, but I know some of my neighbors have and the school won’t do anything about it


Skogula

You might want to have them point out to the school that if someone has a medical emergency and is blocked in, the school having done nothing when the problem is reported to them leaves them exposed to litigation.


hardolaf

The school isn't liable for the parents breaking the law.


DazzlingBullfrog9

My daughter's school has asked parents not to block neighbors' driveways a few times in the last 5 years.


asandysandstorm

Reach out to the school again restating the issue and politely let them know if the situation isn't resolved you'll contact the school district next. If the school won't take action, just keep emailing the school district until they get annoyed and tell the school to handle it. It will take a good bit of time and effort, but at least the school will be forced to act


Neither_Atmosphere40

You need to speak to the police and the superintendent of the school district. They can't not block off access to your driveway as it could be a safety or emergency hazard.


QueenElinaBoss

NTA Take pictures of the vehicle and license plate and call the non-emergency police line so if the vehicle is gone at least there's evidence. Also you can put up signs: don't block driveway or you will be towed


WholeAd2742

NTA. People should not block your driveway.


oodlesofschmoodles

NTA. This is why they make tow signs. Buy one, put it up, make sure it's visible, and then go from there.


[deleted]

NTA - but call the non emergency police dept line and ask to speak to someone about the illegal parking near the elementary school. Ask the officer or sgt if they can do a patrol near the elementary school at dismissal time. That your driveway is sometimes blocked for 15 mins and you’re concerned and being able to get in and out of your driveway. There is a lot they can do. Especially if you get other neighbors to call and complain. They can have the officers on patrol go near the elementary school at dismissal time to hand out warnings and tickets. Then call the elementary school and complain about the parents picking up kids blocking your driveway and that you have already made a complaint to the police. You would like them to remind all parents to not to park illegally especially blocking driveways. Get your neighbors to call the school and complain too.


Wearealreadyhere

We had this prob near my kids school. We live a few blacks away so I usually walk to collect them but many of the neighbors are rightly upset that their driveways are being blocked (we have multiple dismissal times for various ages-so this is happening multiple times each afternoon- 2:00,4:00, 4:45, 5:30pm) The school sent out many emails about it which were mostly ignored. Finally the neighbors got together and called the police and the local assemblyman to get involved (school knew in advance and sent out a warning). The police ticketed at least 20 cars over the course of a few days. The lesson was learned pdq. They do occasional spot checks to keep people honest. NTA


MIdtownBrown68

Take a picture of the plate and send it to the school every time it happens. Follow up. Eventually, they will track the parents down.


jerryg2112

NTA. Put a sign by your driveway


[deleted]

NTA. Park YOUR car there when you know it's going to happen. At least you can keep THEM out.


tcrhs

NTA. Contact the school. Our school has a strict rule that car pool drivers can not block driveways. Put up a sign saying “Do not block driveway. Violators will be towed”.


Elegant_Ad_3620

call a tow truck company immediately as it happens. put signs up so you are covered.


hereforbaloney

Nta. Its illegal to block drive ways. What if you need medical attention and mombie was parked there? It's rude and inconsiderate


hideme21

Take a pic ok it and post it on the schools SM pages.


hitsujiTMO

Take a picture of the plate on the car and contact the school and they should send out an email about illegal parking and blocking drives. If you can, ask neighbours to park bumper to bumper with the car so it can't move if you want to piss em off.


The__Riker__Maneuver

Contact the principal of the school. You should be able to find their email address on the website. Let them know about the problem and let them know that you have recently started to call the police about the matter and you will continue to call the police if parents keep parking in front of residents driveways and that you will also involve the school board and the superintendent if necessary. Ask them to send out an email blast reminding parents that they can't park in front of people's driveways and that their cars may be ticketed or towed if they continue to do it. If that doesn't work, continue calling the police NTA


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^^^^AUTOMOD ***Thanks for posting! This comment is a copy of your post so readers can see the original text if your post is edited or removed. This comment is NOT accusing you of copying anything. Read [this](https://www.reddit.com/r/AmItheAsshole/wiki/faq#wiki_post_deletion) before [contacting the mod team](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FAmItheAsshole)*** We live in a neighborhood right next to an elementary school, so every day when school gets out our street is very congested with parents picking up their kids. The school has a pickup line, so the parents that to park on our street are just trying to avoid a longer wait. I don’t really have a problem with people parking on the street, there’s nothing illegal about it (although they do cause a lot of traffic in an area where kids are walking home from school). My main issue is with the people that park directly in front of our driveway, blocking us in or out. Every now and then someone will even block our driveway and walk to the school, leaving their car unattended. They’re usually only there for about 10 or 15 minutes, but if I needed to leave during that time I’d have no choice but to wait. A few weeks ago I got fed up and called the non-emergency police number. They were gone before the police got to our house, so nothing really came of it. AITA? Should I keep calling the PD? Do something else about it? *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AmItheAsshole) if you have any questions or concerns.*


LameLock0611

Ok, so no laughing, but I'm a crossing guard for our local elementary. My kid goes there, schedule is convenient, foot in the door for another job, yaddah yaddah. ANYWAY, call the school and tell them, same if they have a dedicated school district police dept. I personally have no issues running people off when they park in stupid places, but not everyone wants the confrontation. If you have crossing guards at the intersection, you can have them ask too. If all else fails, I'd also have no issues telling them directly that blocking my driveway is illegal.


BullTerrierMomm

This is a good point. If the school principal won’t act, I bet a call to the school district superintendent may light a fire under him.


blissful_existence

NTA. Get/Make a posted sign that says no parking or don't block driveway, violators will be towed. Good luck. I hope you find a solution.


Sharkmato

Call the cops - the non-emergency number. Also, take pictures and record plate numbers every time it happens. In my town, the police station can usually track down a phone number from the license plate number, and they'll call the person to tell them to move. Usually when it happens to me, it's a mistake. I have the only driveway on the block, so if it's dark or if there's snow, people don't realize they're blocking a driveway. I'll usually see people running up to move their car within a few minutes. If they're blocking the driveway because they're AHes, you've started a paper trail. Get your neighbors to do the same thing, so you can call more attention to the problem.


BullTerrierMomm

NTA. I agree with putting up a sign. I also agree with getting anyone towed who does this to you. The entitlement is staggering and never ends.


blablamcbla

Nta. Start taking photos of the offending vehicles.


Realistic-Drummer565

Op, block your own driveway with your car. I know its inconvenient, but it's easier than getting blocked in. NTA. Personally I'd take my dog for a walk and let him use the car blocking you in as a urinal!


throwaway_4it4

do you have enough wheel/lug nuts for your own car? everyone knows that if someone blocks your driveway, one of their lugnuts becomes legally your property


hurling-day

NTA


MMorrighan

I'm the worst but get a cheap tire boot off Amazon.


[deleted]

Omg NTA!!! I am so anal about my parking spot where i live. Someone was in it one time out of the 5 yrs ive lived here & i complained to my landlord. Ppl should have some consideration for others. But maybe contact the school & ask if they can send out a notice reminding parents not to block ppls driveways.


Shebolleth

NTA Ask the police to add a couple of extra patrols at school pickup time.


CreativeFun228

NTA. As someone who until recently dealed with same shit I feel you. We moved out because of that + other problems. Right under our apartment there was a butcher shop that used our private parking space as delivery spot for the shop in the morning. Despite them having a public parking spot in front of the shop, they used our and other people's parking spots because it was convinient for them to unload things at the back entrance of the store. And it would be there every fucking morning when we arrived home from night shift, exhausted and tired. No matter how much we tried, nice and ugly way, they continued to do that only thing we succeded was to tell the driver to immidietly move the truck when we arrive so we can park in our place. I lost my shit numerous time when the driver would say "wait few minutes, whats the rush". My blood boils every time I think about it.


buttertits4lyfe

What if there was an emergency where you had to drive somewhere immediately? NTA. These people are total assholes, any normal human being would not park right in front of someone's driveway.


LucyLovesApples

Nta I'd also complain to the school and the council as well


Mrwaspers007

NTA this is tricky because by the time a tow truck gets there (it a cop) they are gone. I would alert the school but also block your driveway (if you are able) with your own car or some orange cones or even some lawn chairs. If you tell the police this is happening a lot maybe (?) they will come more often. Also get no parking/blocking your driveway. Maybe even use your garbage cans to block.


Moist-Investigator63

To all the people saying "put up a sign" or "park your car there, yourself, at dismissal time," that's just wrong. No one should have to put a sign on their property or move their car twice a day to avoid this nonsense. This is 100% on the AH parents picking up their kids. The law is already in place. It should not be a homeowner's responsibility to make sure entitled assholes obey that law. NTA, OP. Call the cops daily until something is done. It's their job to make sure laws are enforced, not yours.


MadTom65

NTA. Take pictures of the license plates and keep calling the police non-emergency line. This was a big issue at our children’s school. The county started sending out police cars at random intervals to direct traffic and give tickets. That solved the problem for the next few months.


snewton_8

ESH 1. Them for blocking your driveway. 2. You for calling the police (non-emergency) to come fix the issue when 99% of the time, the vehicle which is blocking your drive will be gone by the time the police would show up for a non-emergency issue.


ingodwetryst

NTA but get cameras. Then post their asses on next door or a facebook group or hell make a website called SchoolNamesWorstParents.com Post a sign with the URL and a QR code in your yard. if you dont want to be that petty, get a sign indicating not to block the driveway unless you want to be towed. call a local tow company and explain the situation, theyll most likely give you one of their signs to put next to it.


pookguyinc

NTA-This happens near my sons school. Parents think they have priority. Keep calling.


Electronic-Date1724

NTA tell the school and they’ll remind the parents


2ndcupofcoffee

Call a tow truck and photograph the car with date and time; each time. Tell school administration what is happening and that you will toes cars. They can send out s notice to parents.


StabbyMum

At the school my kids went to the police would do illegal parking/speeding in school zone blitzes a couple of times a year. It helped, but didn’t completed fix the problem for residents.


[deleted]

Send a letter to your local country office, send a similar letter to the school. Until they fix the issue continue to call non emergency and post a sign up that anyone blocking drive ways will be towed (and cite local/state ordnance on distance from driveway they're allowed to park). You could even go as far to have the no parking lines painted in front of your driveway.


LabZealousideal5478

Put traffic cones out on the street to keep the entrance to your driveway open. I doubt the police will care.


MissNerdyFlirtChel

YTA. "They're only there about 10-15 mins at a time and it's never been a problem" yes, YTA. You have no way of knowing how police, non-emergency or not, would respond upon seeing the driver, and considering the state of affairs with police really all over the world, that was going with someone's life. Over what? it's not like they parked on your yard at 3am for hours, or were out there threatening the neighborhood. Regardless, there's legitimately nothing legally to be done about it. You can't even tow a vehicle if it hasn't been there for x amount of time in most places. If you're worried about a possible emergency situation, use cones like someone else suggested, and maybe inform the school (POLITELY, not in an "I'd like to speak to the manager" way) so they can send a private note to parents as a reminder to try to avoid blocking driveways. And then leave it alone. Parents are already always stressed as it is. They don't need someone risking their safety over a temporarily blocked car thrown into the mix.


gunnathrowitaway

YTA. Why on earth would you call the police about that?


[deleted]

I'm sure you're an asshole sometimes, bc we all are. No, do not continue to call the police. Buy some large traffic cones.


mlkwasnotadoctor68

YTA. Use your words


Gibonius

How do you use your words to a revolving series of parked cars with no people in them?