to think you don't resort to criminal damage (parking)?

[fanfrickintastic]

I work for the local authority. The 'town hall' e.g main office, employs around 500 people. It's a fairly residential area and we have 2 largish car parks, with approximately 120 spaces. There are also 2 pay and display car parks holding about 40 cars (but these can also be used by the public).

The car parks are permit only, which we pay for. Anyone employed by the council can get a permit, a permit doesn't guarantee a space. There are considerably more permit holders than spaces.

I have a contractual obligation to take my car to work. I go out of the office on appointments regularly (several times a day). At least 3-4 times a week I don't get a space in any of the car parks, either at the beginning of the day or when I have been out on an appointment.

So we have to park on the street. The streets closest to the town hall are resident permit only, and we can't park in them, further away (5ish minute walk) aren't so we have to park there.

Today I had to park on the street. I parked legally on a residential street, outside someone's house (the only option), partially on the pavement but with plenty of space for people, including wheelchair users, to pass and space for cars to pass in the road. My wing mirrors were in and I wasn't over a dropped curb, a driveway, disabled space or by a pedestrian gate. I wasn't on a grass verge that someone could consider 'theirs'.

I got back to my car and someone has deliberately and severely keyed my car, all down the passenger side. I'd like to say this is a one off but it isn't, we (my colleagues and I) are regularly subjected to such criminal damage. I get it's annoying not being able to park right out side your house, but we literally have no choice. Most of the houses have driveways!

AIBU to think that instead of committing criminal damage they could petition the council to make their street permit only? Or leave a note? Or just deal with it?

www.pcadvisor.co.uk/test-centre/gadget/best-dash-cams-for-2017-3647105/

Parking mode
This may use the g-sensor, but is specifically for recording moments when your car is parked. It doesn't guarantee you will see what happened, of course, as the camera points in only one direction.
Also, most manufacturers don't recommend leaving the camera turned on when parked as it can drain the battery. Plus, many cars cut power to the accessory socket when you turn off the ignition, so you may need to get the camera hard-wired by a professional to use this feature.
Hardwire kits can be installed to give the camera power all the time, or in cars whose 12V socket remains on when you turn off the ignition. The latter is handy as it means the camera can't drain the car's battery if you accidentally leave it plugged in.

I'd consider getting a folding bike and using it to get to and from your car, if the routes are bike friendly.

@BoysofMelody yes I have, and I have had jobs where employers do provide parking spaces for those who use their car for their jobs. Just because your experience is different doesn't entitle you to be so rude

Yes those jobs exist and lucky old you for having one. However the op's job isn't one of them, lots of people need to use a finite number of parking spots.

Given this information and the fact the op is working for a local authority who has almost certainly had its budget slashed, what are the chances of her being successful with your ultimatum?

I'm sorry you found my response rude, but if you will give spectacularly impractical advice, don't be surprised when people point it out to you.

Should I get a dual-lens camera?
Dual-lens dash cams are out there, but are in the minority. Some have a second camera built-in to the main dash cam, which faces rearwards and records the passengers. This can be useful in taxis, but if you want to record the view out of your rear window, it's best to buy a second dash cam and record footage separately.

@BoysofMelody how would you know it's impractical. No where in the OP does it say the employer had ever been approached in this way or asked the question. It has been qualified further down the thread but well past my post.

Is it possible for the council to have a part of the car park designed for double parking. You could buddy up with certain people who are likely o be in all day and you then "block" them in.