Creative Parking on Campus

Campus parking. We all know how bad it can get and everyone seems to have a story on how they have avoided parking tickets in the past. But perhaps its time for some new solutions.

Campus policy are proving hard- er to trick these days.

A couple ingenious ideas found circulating around Universities world- wide:

1. A simple sticker or hand written note; "Warning, I'm having severe electri- cal problems with my car. Don't touch my windshield wipers."

2. Too simple? Ok, try this; Every-time you find a nice parking spot, flick the inflate helium balloons switch in your car. The helium balloons will auto inflate_and your car will hover about a foot over the ground. Since the car is not parked on that area, you cannot be charged any parking money.

To prevent the car from floating away or any such thing, just ask someone standing nearby to keep a good grip on your car while you are away. This could also be done by a roommate who does not need to go with you. The person must stand very casually, without attracting any attention towards him/her. You will never pay any parking fees ever, but you may have to argue a bit now and then.

' 3. To risky? well here's another. How many times have you been excited to

find that distant spot, only to arrive and see the Reserved parking sign? Well, sim- ply park your car in front of the sign, open your trunk and disguise the thing. The main idea is to create a fake, yet realistic looking, tree or electric box or something that neatly fits over the posted sign. Viola!

4. For those of you who love to create their own parking spaces, risking a tow away, here's a solution. Toddler 1000. This simple device, operated by mouth, gas cartridge or electric pump, once inflat- ed, looks just like a toddler asleep in a car seat. Inflate, add a blanket (for more authenticity), then walk away, safe in the knowledge that no bastard will tow away a car with a toddler inside.

5. Finally, for those engineers out there, why not try this. Campus policy cam. This artificial intelligence device would recognise the distinguishing fea- tures of a campus policy officer (royal blue clothes, badges, regular pauses in motion, little notebook, etc.) and warn the car owner of needed attention. It could also have a 2-way short-range video link so the car owner could check that it really is camps police and not an innocent passerby.

A couple easy solutions for a developing problem. When the tickets get more numerous, we just have to adapt and get more creative.

Good luck.

Punk fans riot in Montreal after bands stopped at border

Cars were burning and police officers were wounded after angry ticket-holders waiting to see a punk rock concert at a Montreal club rioted Tuesday night when

- club-owners cancelled the show.

The Globe and Mail report- ed that roughly 500 people rioted, vandalized cars, set fires, and broke storefront windows.

Fifteen minutes after the cancellation of the show — which was to feature Total Chaos and the Exploited on a double bill — was announced, agitated fans were riot- ing outside The Medley on St. Denis, overwhelming 15 officers outside the event. Rioters vandal- ized over 42 cars, including eight that were set on fire, and sent two police officers to the hospital with minor injuries. .

At least 11 businesses on St. Denis and Ste. Catherine were burglarized before 100 riot police officers dispersed the crowd.

Reuters reported that the city has not seen rioting like this in over a decade. Police spokesperson Ian Lafreniere told the news serv- ice that "the last riot of this kind might be Guns N" Roses (in 1992).”

Hundreds of concert-goers rioted after Guns N' Roses front- man Axl Rose stormed off stage at an Olympic Stadium show and suggested people get reimbursed.

Club owners cancelled Tuesday night's show when Canadian immigration officials denied members of the Exploited entry into the country.

Seven people were arrested Tuesday night and Montreal police expect more arrests after they review video footage of the scene.

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