Imagine if we invite you for Shabbos and suggest you park in our neighbor’s driveway. Our house can’t accommodate many cars, but his driveway is wide and spacious. If you need to use the bathroom or dispose of trash from your travels, feel free to do so right there as well. Now, imagine if other neighbors had the same idea that very same week…

And how about if that unwitting family also has company that week? In all fairness and decency, they do not have to double-check with all the neighbors to be allowed to host. The guests would arrive, confused as to why they can’t park and unload, even late at night, and the poor homeowners would be torn between annoyance at the audacity of these neighbors and the expectation to maintain good relations, even when the neighbors are quite remiss in that respect.

This scenario is similar to when a camp or organization decides to meet in a store or hall parking lot.

Plainly stated, ample parking is crucial for businesses.

Parking lots are private property intended and paid for by renters and tenants. Customers are drawn to places with easy and convenient parking and blocking parking without permission can cause significant losses for businesses. Just as you wouldn’t park in a random driveway, parking in a spot designated for business patrons is equally wrong.

As managers of various businesses in Lakewood, we regularly face this issue, particularly during the summer, when we can’t anticipate when the next surprise will disrupt us. Multiple camps arriving suddenly, buses settling in wherever they please, and an insane number of cars, parking haphazardly due to stress and tension.

The outcome is unhappy and frustrated tenants, parking lots littered with trash from excited kids (and their entourages), and unjust interruptions to commerce. To make matters worse, when we express our concerns, the “bus squatters” justify their actions and feign surprise that we don’t view this “parking lot service” as good customer relations.

This is an appeal to Schools, camps, and parents organizing transportation: Before choosing a venue, ensure its availability and obtain permission to use the parking lot. If you know any business in that lot, obtaining a telephone number or email of a landlord or management company is very straightforward. A simple request will alleviate unknown pressures, enable proper scheduling, and provide clear parking guidelines for buses and cars.

This approach will be more pleasant and agreeable for all parties involved and contribute to our shared goal of acting with integrity and most importantly, Yashrus, in all our endeavors.

Thanks.

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