[Chatbrat]

Just saw a car parked in front of a hydrant--called community watch

Guess some people don't know what a hydrant is for, if you don't own a dog

[Uberschaf]

The firemen will just do this:

[Chatbrat]

Did it in NYC when I worked for the NYFD

[Quixote]

A couple of years ago we were getting rid of a desk--fairly small but still too big for the regular trash pickup. We called Sanitation and were told to put the desk at the end of our driveway and that they would pick it up. However, there is a hydrant on our property a couple of feet from the driveway.

We did as told, and a short while later Community Watch arrived in the form of a kid who didn't look old enough for working paper who stood in the door stammering. He finally managed to spit out that the desk was too close to the hydrant. I was tempted to respond with 'Northeast humor,' that is, "Oh, we're expanding our business and setting up an outdoor office," but looking at--and listening to--the kid, I decided not to.

So I explained to him that we had followed instructions, and what would he like us to do. He had no idea, then asked about moving the desk. "Sure," I said, "you take one end and I'll take the other, and we'll move it to wherever you feel comfortable." He picked up one end and I the other, and then he began looking around, hesitating for a few moments and finally moving it about one foot further onto the driveway and away from the hydrant.

"Are you sure you're okay about where it is now?" Lots of nodding--and he left. I then called Public Safety, and amazingly the head answered. I told him what had just happened and asked how it should be handled legally. He laughed and explained that there are laws on the books for distance to be parked from a hydrant, but because of how arbitrary the placement of hydrants is, there is no way they can enforce such laws. Perhaps it would be different in a commercial area, but in countless other places, notably residential areas, this is the way it is. Hmmm....

[pauld315]

Originally Posted by Quixote

He laughed and explained that there are laws on the books for distance to be parked from a hydrant, but because of how arbitrary the placement of hydrants is, there is no way they can enforce such laws. Perhaps it would be different in a commercial area, but in countless other places, notably residential areas, this is the way it is. Hmmm....

That makes no sense at all. The law in FL is you must park at least 15 feet from a hydrant and it doesn't matter how arbitrary the placement of hydrants is.

Now if we are talking about how close you can place a piece of furniture to a hydrant, I know Sumter County has a rule where you aren't allowed to obstruct the hydrant with anything and had to leave a 3 foot clear radius around the hydrant. I don't know about other areas of TV.

[village dreamer]

don't worry the police will now give out tickets......so they say

[fred53]

Originally Posted by Gpsma

You called community watch. That car could easily be the resident or a guest.

Some people have a lot of time on their hands.

don't like to be told what they do is wrong...I opt for those doing the right thing as opposed to those accusing folks of having to much time on their hands...

[DonH57]

Originally Posted by uberschaf

the firemen will just do this:

lmao.

[karostay]

the police will now give out tickets......so they say[/QUOTE]



Only if they throw out cigarette butts

[Quixote]

Originally Posted by pauld315

That makes no sense at all. The law in FL is you must park at least 15 feet from a hydrant and it doesn't matter how arbitrary the placement of hydrants is.

Now if we are talking about how close you can place a piece of furniture to a hydrant, I know Sumter County has a rule where you aren't allowed to obstruct the hydrant with anything and had to leave a 3 foot clear radius around the hydrant. I don't know about other areas of TV.

Agreed it doesn't make sense at all—and this was confirmed by the Director of Public Safety for TV. When I park my car in my own driveway (as I do every day), I am not only not fifteen feet from the hydrant, I am closer than three feet! THIS is what the Director explained to me in terms of the law not making sense in relation to how the hydrants are placed. According to him, I cannot be ticketed for parking in my own driveway, even though I am virtually on top of the hydrant! (Duh....) The desk was actually further from the hydrant than the car is when it's parked in the driveway!

[New Englander]

Personally, I'd walk a quarter of a mile before I'd park anywhere near a hydrant.

[village dreamer]

Originally Posted by New Englander

Personally, I'd walk a quarter of a mile before I'd park anywhere near a hydrant.

me too , you know what dogs use them for

[Topspinmo]

Usually Fire Hydrants has yellow/red panted area on the curb each side of it. The fire truck going to be in the street. Most fire hydrants have three sided hook up. That IMO why the need the 15 feet street access. It the hydrant right beside you drive way then you couldn't part in front of the hydrant. I don't think it that difficult to figure out. Don't park in front of the hydrant or in the yellow/red tow zone. It I feel don't have tow zone still don't park in front of it.