Mobile education unit

Steve Elvidge

Introduction

There is only one way to educate the general public and that is to book them. That's right, write out as many infringements as possible.

On the 4th of April 1978, aged 27, I began a new job as a Perth City Council Parking Inspector and that was the advice given to me by an old senior parking inspector assigned to train me. I was young and impressionable and I was going to change the world. Even back then I believed education to be a strategic part of municpal law enforcement.

I've now had 14 years experience and written over 100,000 infringement notices but have I educated anyone? I don't think so. You can train animals, for example, by putting a citronella collar on a dog he soon learns that barking is not really a good idea. At the City of Subiaco we have some drivers with over 80 infringement notices on computer gathered over a period of time - does it appear they have learned any lessons? I will let you be the judge of that.

Education. No one wants to be educated in a confrontational manner which writing parking, dog and litter infringements is. To educate people they must want to learn and be able to do so in a way they feel comfortable with.

About the Author

Steve Elvidge

City of Subiaco

PO Box 270

Subiaco WA 6904

Australia

Phone 08 9237 9222

Fax 08 9237 9200

Email:SteveE@subiaco.wa.gov.au

Steve has been a ranger at the City of Subiaco for four years. He is also a committee member of the Municipal Law Enforcement Officers' Assocatin of WA. His previous experience consists of 10 years in the City of Perth Parking, St Johns Ambulance as a Senior First Aid Instructor and an ambulance driver int he United Kingdom.

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