It’s not Santa’s sleigh, but Vancouver parking enforcement officer Dareen Thielbar does leave a memento behind for those on her naughty list.
And while few people like getting dinged for parking violations, Thielbar hopes that her spruced-up scooter can help deck downtown streets with a bit of jolly.
Every year, Thielbar — who has been with the city since 2003 and an enforcement officer for 3[ ] years — drapes her one-seat scooter with tinsel, lights and bows. Some years, a wreath and wrapping paper are also involved. Donning a Santa hat herself, she patrols the meters in the city’s center with a “Merry Christmas” for anyone who comes along.
“It makes me feel good, and it makes other people feel good,” she said. “Some people will say ‘Scrooge!’ but they’re usually saying it as sarcasm because they see my spirit.”
On Wednesday, Thielbar’s beat included all of downtown south of Evergreen Boulevard. As she cruised down Eighth Street, she smiled and waved to two small children on the sidewalk who stopped to stare.
She also found a ticket to write on nearly every block. Thielbar
moved briskly, depositing $15 tickets under windshield wipers to those with expired and unpaid meters. (While no one likes a $15 ticket, one reason to be merry and bright here in Vancouver could include that our tickets are far less than the $39 standard ticket approved by Portland this week). She averages 50 tickets in an eight-hour shift and has issued as many as 130 in a day.
But she’s no Grinch: the best part of her job is letting people go. Once the ticket’s printed, there’s nothing she can do, but Thielbar said she’s more likely than not to forgive those who dash out at just the right moment to feed the meter.
“It feels really good to let someone go, because it is really hard out there,” she said, taking a break in City Hall, her uniform festooned with several Christmas pins.
It’s not clear whether her holiday cheer spreads to everyone, however, despite the fact that people bring their tickets on to themselves. Let’s put it this way: It’s not all milk and gingerbread for a city parking enforcement officer.
“Last year it was a little rough, so I quit wearing my hat for a little while —there are a lot of angry people out there,” she said, but added that 2011’s spirit has been merrier.
“This year, it’s been really good. Most people accept their consequences, but there’s always a few people who are extremely angry.”
While her holiday decorations come down after the Christmas holiday, Thielbar’s spirit for celebration doesn’t wane after Dec. 25 — keep an eye open for her festive scooter come Easter and Halloween as well.
