Some of you will have heard of 'Parking Wars', the cable TV show in the US. Well it appears that the host city of Philadelphia is coping a bit of flack about the image the show is creating for it.
Seems that it is all too much reality for once. Too much in your face realism with the confrontations between the local authorities doing what they are meant to do, and those getting 'what they have asked for'.
The cities tourism group is claiming that the city is losing visitors who are scared of having their cars ticketed or impounded - this is based on around 200 letters and emails from programme viewers. The groups spokesperson, Ms. Levitz, said "It's so hurtful to have this inaccurate portrayal. This show isn't about parking tickets; it's about how people are treated in Philadelphia".
True, Ms. Levitz, but its only about those people who fail to do the right thing. There may be the odd innocent caught up in the process, but the vast majority have just thumbed their nose at the law and lost.
And the true innocents have avenues for redress. You can read more about it here.
JP
