Not sure if this is the right place to post, but question about parade blocking driveway

[ellam25]

So I was coming home from work and there was a parade blocking my apartment building. My husband was home with my baby and he needed to go to work. I was trying to pull in and two separate people came over and yelled at me. I started getting angry and was like I need to get into my apartment, my daughters in there!" Anyway everyone was staring at me and it was embarrassing. Well in afterthought I was too mad at the time. But does anyone know the legality issues here? I almost called the cops, I was so mad. Usually there’s cops around but there was none in sight.

 

[1ke]

But does anyone know the legality issues here?

We cannot give legal advice on this site.

The legal situation of a parade in your neighborhood is best discussed with your local municipality and/or homeowner’s association-- from permits to route to proper notification of residents, they will be the source for all information.

 

[ellam25]

There were no posts or warnings, we even looked at our city website.
Ok I’m not asking for legal advice, just asking if anyone knows the laws.

 

[1ke]

There were no posts or warnings, we even looked at our city website.
Ok I’m not asking for legal advice, just asking if anyone knows the laws.

There is no law that universally applies. This is a local matter in your municipality. That is why it requires a local inquiry on your part.

 

[pensmama87]

We cannot give legal advice on this site.

The legal situation of a parade in your neighborhood is best discussed with your local municipality and/or homeowner’s association-- from permits to route to proper notification of residents, they will be the source for all information.

Yes.

In the future, if nobody “official” is around, I’d call the municipal offices or non-emergency police department number (although around here, everything is diverted to 911 anyway.)

 

[Catholic1954]

You should have been notified of an official, city approved parade. Call and complain to your representative at city hall. The parade may have been organized, but not approved by the city and they should know about it.

 

[Allegra]

I find it almost impossible to believe that there was no notification given prior to an official parade. Is it possible that what you witnessed was actually a demonstration and not a parade? Or an over-the-top funeral procession? Were there people actually watching this parade? If so, they found out about it somehow. You didn’t say what this parade was for, but if it’s likely to be a yearly event, I would put the date on the calendar and chalk it up to, “Oooops. I didn’t know.” There’s really only two possibilities that I can see. Either it was a sanctioned, official event that was planned with permission of the city, in which case they aren’t going to stop doing it because you don’t like it. Or it was a non-sanctioned, unofficial event, that sprang up at that moment and there isn’t much that can be done about it, since it’s now over. You can call the city hall about it to find out which. If you or them know who had organized the parade, they can contact that group and request the get a permit next time. Or you can just get over it. That’s probably what I’d do. I got caught behind a charity run that made me almost an hour late for work once. It was really annoying, so I feel your pain.

 

[ellam25]

I find it almost impossible to believe that there was no notification given prior to an official parade. Is it possible that what you witnessed was actually a demonstration and not a parade? Or an over-the-top funeral procession? Were there people actually watching this parade? If so, they found out about it somehow. You didn’t say what this parade was for, but if it’s likely to be a yearly event, I would put the date on the calendar and chalk it up to, “Oooops. I didn’t know.” There’s really only two possibilities that I can see. Either it was a sanctioned, official event that was planned with permission of the city, in which case they aren’t going to stop doing it because you don’t like it. Or it was a non-sanctioned, unofficial event, that sprang up at that moment and there isn’t much that can be done about it, since it’s now over. You can call the city hall about it to find out which. If you or them know who had organized the parade, they can contact that group and request the get a permit next time. Or you can just get over it. That’s probably what I’d do. I got caught behind a charity run that made me almost an hour late for work once. It was really annoying, so I feel your pain.

I live right where it was, there was no postings, signs, nothing. I even went on our city facebook page and there were no “road closure” notifications. It happens every year. It doesn’t matter if theres “nothing I can do about it if I don’t like it” it’s a matter of safety. There are diabetic people in my apartment complex and an old person home that was also effected.

 

[Allegra]

I live right where it was, there was no postings, signs, nothing. I even went on our city facebook page and there were no “road closure” notifications. It happens every year. It doesn’t matter if theres “nothing I can do about it if I don’t like it” it’s a matter of safety. There are diabetic people in my apartment complex and an old person home that was also effected.

If it’s an actual parade that happens every year, how do people know about it in order to be in it and go watch it? Somewhere, there has to be a parade route posted, or no one would know about it.

I think you are upset because you didn’t know about the parade in advance or forgot about it, but I don’t think you’re going to get the city to axe a long-standing tradition because you are mad or embarrassed. You may get them to put up signs marking the route a couple days in advance, but that’s probably about it.

I’ve got to tell you, though, even with the signs, there are always people who forget and get caught off guard when there’s a parade in their neighborhood. There is a town near me that has had a 4th of July parade every year of it’s over-a-century of existence. There is literally no living human being in that town that remembers a day when they didn’t close Big Bend and Elm street for the Independence Day parade. And yet, there are ALWAYS people being turned around by the police because they forgot that the 4th of July was falling on the 4th of July that year.

And every year, the City of St. Louis police have to tow dozens of cars for people who don’t read the “no parking” signs that mark the parade routes for the Mardi Gras parades that they have EVERY SINGLE YEAR. The residents even get two mailers reminding them of the parade schedule. You’d think the entire street being decorated in purple, green, and gold might be a gentle hint. But no, apparently not.

And every year on St. Patrick’s Day, the streets of Dogtown get shutdown for a massive celebration and the only way people could get in or out is by helicopter. You would think the residents would see people putting their lawn chairs out the day before and hiring port-a-potties bedecked in green crepe paper and wonder what’s up, but there’s always some red-faced maniac trying to get a street full of people to move so he can go to work, because he forgot to park his car somewhere else the night before.

These people all get indignant and mad, but the fact is that everyone else is having a great time and they aren’t going to stop doing so, so they might as well call off work and get some sparklers or some green beer and say, “Oh well, I’ll remember next year.”

 

[ellam25]

If it’s an actual parade that happens every year, how do people know about it in order to be in it and go watch it? Somewhere, there has to be a parade route posted, or no one would know about it.

I think you are upset because you didn’t know about the parade in advance or forgot about it, but I don’t think you’re going to get the city to axe a long-standing tradition because you are mad or embarrassed. You may get them to put up signs marking the route a couple days in advance, but that’s probably about it.

I’ve got to tell you, though, even with the signs, there are always people who forget and get caught off guard when there’s a parade in their neighborhood. There is a town near me that has had a 4th of July parade every year of it’s over-a-century of existence. There is literally no living human being in that town that remembers a day when they didn’t close Big Bend and Elm street for the Independence Day parade. And yet, there are ALWAYS people being turned around by the police because they forgot that the 4th of July was falling on the 4th of July that year.

And every year, the City of St. Louis police have to tow dozens of cars for people who don’t read the “no parking” signs that mark the parade routes for the Mardi Gras parades that they have EVERY SINGLE YEAR. The residents even get two mailers reminding them of the parade schedule. You’d think the entire street being decorated in purple, green, and gold might be a gentle hint. But no, apparently not.

And every year on St. Patrick’s Day, the streets of Dogtown get shutdown for a massive celebration and the only way people could get in or out is by helicopter. You would think the residents would see people putting their lawn chairs out the day before and hiring port-a-potties bedecked in green crepe paper and wonder what’s up, but there’s always some red-faced maniac trying to get a street full of people to move so he can go to work, because he forgot to park his car somewhere else the night before.

These people all get indignant and mad, but the fact is that everyone else is having a great time and they aren’t going to stop doing so, so they might as well call off work and get some sparklers or some green beer and say, “Oh well, I’ll remember next year.”

Tell me why it should matter if I remember or not when they’re blocking people from getting into their homes, especially a place where old people live. What if there was an emergancy? What if my neighbor had a seizure or or my daughter fell and broke her arm? Anything can happen and it should not be ok.

 

[Allegra]

Tell me why it should matter if I remember or not when they’re blocking people from getting into their homes, especially a place where old people live. What if there was an emergancy? What if my neighbor had a seizure or or my daughter fell and broke her arm? Anything can happen and it should not be ok.

Seriously? Assuming the old folk’s home didn’t spring up like a daisy overnight, I’m sure they have a backup plan for a parade that happens every year. If there was a medical emergency, the ambulance would have to be called, and they would act according to the protocol they use any time they have to rescue a patient that isn’t easily accessed by the street. (Which happens literally every day.) Do you really think your town is the only place that has parades? You can be mad about this if you want, but your just going to have to stay mad. Like I said, no one is going to stop a time-honored tradition because you feel inconvenienced for a few hours, once a year.

 

[pensmama87]

Tell me why it should matter if I remember or not when they’re blocking people from getting into their homes, especially a place where old people live. What if there was an emergancy? What if my neighbor had a seizure or or my daughter fell and broke her arm? Anything can happen and it should not be ok.

This is one reason permits are required, so emergency protocols can be addressed. They do think of these things. And as Allegra mentioned, emergency personnel are trained in getting around blockages when they occur (and for events like parades, if protocols are followed, they know in advance, which is much better than when they arrive at the scene of a hoarder house or something like that.)

If you think it would be better for everybody for more advance notice, I’m sure your city councilperson would appreciate a call or email suggesting a mailer, website, FB post, or posted notices. If there are notifications and you’re not getting them, I’m sure he or she can point you to where they can be found.

 

[utah_rose]

If it’s an actual parade that happens every year, how do people know about it in order to be in it and go watch it? Somewhere, there has to be a parade route posted, or no one would know about it.

I think you are upset because you didn’t know about the parade in advance or forgot about it, but I don’t think you’re going to get the city to axe a long-standing tradition because you are mad or embarrassed. You may get them to put up signs marking the route a couple days in advance, but that’s probably about it.

I’ve got to tell you, though, even with the signs, there are always people who forget and get caught off guard when there’s a parade in their neighborhood. There is a town near me that has had a 4th of July parade every year of it’s over-a-century of existence. There is literally no living human being in that town that remembers a day when they didn’t close Big Bend and Elm street for the Independence Day parade. And yet, there are ALWAYS people being turned around by the police because they forgot that the 4th of July was falling on the 4th of July that year.

And every year, the City of St. Louis police have to tow dozens of cars for people who don’t read the “no parking” signs that mark the parade routes for the Mardi Gras parades that they have EVERY SINGLE YEAR. The residents even get two mailers reminding them of the parade schedule. You’d think the entire street being decorated in purple, green, and gold might be a gentle hint. But no, apparently not.

And every year on St. Patrick’s Day, the streets of Dogtown get shutdown for a massive celebration and the only way people could get in or out is by helicopter. You would think the residents would see people putting their lawn chairs out the day before and hiring port-a-potties bedecked in green crepe paper and wonder what’s up, but there’s always some red-faced maniac trying to get a street full of people to move so he can go to work, because he forgot to park his car somewhere else the night before.

These people all get indignant and mad, but the fact is that everyone else is having a great time and they aren’t going to stop doing so, so they might as well call off work and get some sparklers or some green beer and say, “Oh well, I’ll remember next year.”

I can feel that lady’s pain. Maybe she is a new resident in that apartment! We have a large parade in SLC every year, called Pioneer Day, honoring when the Mormons came to found the city. Not only that, they also run an early marathon on that day in the same area of the city. Might you work downtown, streets are blocked and it’s difficult to get to work. The state offices are off and do are local businesses but not ones that are based somewhere else. I’m retired, but I a,ways wondered why they just didn’t have the parade the closest Saturday to the 24th as then most people are off that day.

There are small cities here nearby that throw a parade on a Saturday and unless you’ve lived there you wouldn’t know. Today one nearby city had theirs. Two or three milieus around are two other cities and I bet they were caught doing Saturday errands.

Not every city keeps their wenpage current, and if she lives in an apartment building I could see that maybe fliers weren’t distributed, especially since the others she mentioned didn’t seem to know about it either…

I’d sure call my city on Monday and ask them about it. If it’s an annual thing they need to provide better publicity so you know.

Awful for your husband to be late for work and your daughter waiting for you.

 

[LiamQ]

Tell me why it should matter if I remember or not when they’re blocking people from getting into their homes, especially a place where old people live. What if there was an emergancy? What if my neighbor had a seizure or or my daughter fell and broke her arm? Anything can happen and it should not be ok.

I absolutely agree and would share your frustrations if this happened to me.

Several of the most recent generations have been taught to be far less concerned about the impact of their behavior on others than they ought to be, and they certainly are not fond of admitting their wrongs and accepting consequences. These are some of the primary faults of these generations in toto, and that won’t be changing anytime soon.

 

[Monte_RCMS]

Develop the habit of praying over these things.

They happen.

Ask the Holy Spirit for help.

Troubles can be derailed before they reach you.

One of my friends tells how he was late for work.

He started to get angry.

A minor fender bender delayed traffic.

He really got steamed.

Trains were all messed up.

By this point he was enraged.

He FINALLY came out of the subway station near work … very late … really ticked off … and he looked up and heard a “bang”, and saw a hijacked airliner crash into his building.

Develop the habit of praying all the time.

Little prayers.

Jesus, Mary & Joseph

Holy Spirit. [just that]

Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit.

Lord, hold me.

Lord, forgive me.

[If no one is looking, make the Sign of the Cross. Just the “wave” style.]

little short prayers.

A bunch of church people were on a charter bus … but it broke down in the middle of nowhere. Nobody was around. The passengers gathered in the road and offered prayers. The bus driver lit up a cigarette and paced around. Suddenly he looked down and there … pressed into the asphalt … was a very old decades old bolt. He bent down, used his pocket knife and cut the bolt out of the road surface. That bolt fit exactly in the drive shaft where the bolt from the bus had come loose and fallen out.

 

[RPRPsych]

Develop the habit of praying over these things.

They happen.

Ask the Holy Spirit for help.

Troubles can be derailed before they reach you.

One of my friends tells how he was late for work.

He started to get angry.

A minor fender bender delayed traffic.

He really got steamed.

Trains were all messed up.

By this point he was enraged.

He FINALLY came out of the subway station near work … very late … really ticked off … and he looked up and heard a “bang”, and saw a hijacked airliner crash into his building.

Develop the habit of praying all the time.

Little prayers.

Jesus, Mary & Joseph

Holy Spirit. [just that]

Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit.

Lord, hold me.

Lord, forgive me.

[If no one is looking, make the Sign of the Cross. Just the “wave” style.]

little short prayers.

A bunch of church people were on a charter bus … but it broke down in the middle of nowhere. Nobody was around. The passengers gathered in the road and offered prayers. The bus driver lit up a cigarette and paced around. Suddenly he looked down and there … pressed into the asphalt … was a very old decades old bolt. He bent down, used his pocket knife and cut the bolt out of the road surface. That bolt fit exactly in the drive shaft where the bolt from the bus had come loose and fallen out.

 

[Allegra]

I absolutely agree and would share your frustrations if this happened to me.

Several of the most recent generations have been taught to be far less concerned about the impact of their behavior on others than they ought to be, and they certainly are not fond of admitting their wrongs and accepting consequences. These are some of the primary faults of these generations in toto, and that won’t be changing anytime soon.

Because parades were invented by young whipper-snappers that just want to disrespect their elders? Give me a break! In every generation, there have been people who cared enough about their community that it was not considered a major hardship to read a calendar and plan ahead according that the neighborhood might come together for a celebration. There’s definitely self-centeredness going on, but it isn’t the parade goers and organizers. At best, they might do a better job of informing residents of the parade route, but it sounds like even that wouldn’t appease the OP, who literally thinks parades should go around her so she isn’t bothered.

 

[ConfusedLucy]

I was in a procession with church recently and this thread has really got me thinking about what sort of notifications were given to the locals. We ended up blocking the exit to a multi storey and we passed a stopped bus full of people who were shooting us death glares. It was really awkward. There are a lot of anti-religious people and I can’t help think this really didn’t help.

 

[pensmama87]

I was in a procession with church recently and this thread has really got me thinking about what sort of notifications were given to the locals. We ended up blocking the exit to a multi storey and we passed a stopped bus full of people who were shooting us death glares. It was really awkward. There are a lot of anti-religious people and I can’t help think this really didn’t help.

If it bugs you that much, check that you filed for the necessary permits (if there were road barriers, you probably did, because the police or public works department or somebody had to put those up.)

We process down our main street every year for Corpus Christi. The police are out redirecting traffic. We do have people come out to watch. Some people probably aren’t happy. But necessary precautions are taken and you never know what might get stirred in someone’s heart, even if they’re annoyed at first.

 

[Allegra]

I was in a procession with church recently and this thread has really got me thinking about what sort of notifications were given to the locals. We ended up blocking the exit to a multi storey and we passed a stopped bus full of people who were shooting us death glares. It was really awkward. There are a lot of anti-religious people and I can’t help think this really didn’t help.

People give “death glares” to funeral processions too. People simply have no class and they think the world should revolve around them.