Cumberland Council staff, parking rangers abused for issuing fines

Fed up with its parking rangers copping a barrage of physical and verbal abuse for enforcing fines around schools and parking lots, a western Sydney council has launched an anti-violence campaign.

Being spat at, sworn at and even pelted with bottles. This is a regular shift for Cumberland Council parking patrol rangers who are constantly subjected to verbal and physical abuse simply for issuing fines at schools and shopping centres.

Their stress levels have climbed and prompted the council to crack down with an anti-violence campaign to curb the number of incidents, which mostly occur at school pick-up and drop-off zones, carparks, town centres and suburban streets including in Auburn, Guildford, Granville, Lidcombe and Merrylands.

The council’s work, health and safety committee received a report that 65 staff have been abused between January 2020 and April 2022, when 33 incidents were elevated to police. Some staff have also suffered multiple incidents.

A council spokeswoman said the council elevated the “unfortunate events’’ that “typically involved aggression or intimidation” such as verbal assaults and swearing but also physical violence such as pushing officers, throwing objects including bottles at them, being spat at and followed around.

“Naturally these incidents have made staff feel concerned for their safety at work, it has impacted their stress levels and heightened anxiety while on the job,’’ she said.

“This concerning behaviour towards our staff, who are going about their day doing the job they are employed to do, in keeping our community safe, unfortunately puts their own safety at risk and also impacts their families as well as the broader organisation.’’

Rangers have copped abuse in suburbs such as Auburn. Picture: Angelo Velardo

A parking patrol officer, who wished to remain anonymous, said he has feared for his safety.

“My job as a parking patrol officer is one that helps the community, especially at local schools where it is so easy for children to be injured by cars,’’ he said.

“When I’m approached by an aggressive person for doing my job it makes me feel belittled, scared for my safety and the safety of my co-workers. I leave home hoping to have a safe day at work.”

The council “is not prepared to accept the situation” and has enlisted the community’s help with a publicity campaign urging residents to see beyond the uniform.

“Council understands that nobody likes to receive a fine, but there are mechanisms in place to dispute the penalty if the person receiving it feels it was incorrectly issued, or if there were extenuating circumstances,’’ the spokeswoman said.

“Violence towards our staff is not the answer.’’

Since December 2019, staff have been equipped with body-worn cameras, which led to an 80 per cent decrease in physical and violent abuse towards workers.

But the problem is still boiling along and prompted the campaign, which includes others measures such as licence plate recognition technology, trialling automated technology for parking patrol routes, dashcam technology, and staff training and police support.

Cumberland Mayor Lisa Lake implored the community to be kinder and respectful to the council staff.

“These incidents of abuse and assault are just unacceptable,’’ she said.

“Alarmingly, a lot of these incidents are happening throughout our town centres, school zones, and residential streets where staff are out just doing their job.”

Cumberland police Inspector Grant Morrissey echoed the calls for peace.

“I’d say an assault on a parking ranger or a person responsible for enforcing laws on behalf of Cumberland Council is an assault too many,’’ he said.

“Any victim is encouraged to report to the police and you can be assured we’ll fully investigate and prosecute for these staff members.’’

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