Window washers shun new bylaw

Published: 6:22PM Saturday November 01, 2014 Source: ONE News

Window washers are being accused of increasingly aggressive tactics at South Auckland intersections.

They continue to man traffic lights across the city despite a new bylaw banning their activities. As cars stop at the lights, the cleaning starts.

Gordon Ward, a wheel clamper with Private Carpark Enforcement, told ONE News the problem of window washers has got much worse.

"When it first started it was only three or four people, but now on any given day there can be 11 to 15."

Mr Ward, who has annoyed a few people himself in his time as a wheel clamper, says the shops he works for are fed up by the window washers.

"They intimidate the people. They go into the toilets and use the liquid soap intended for the people, with the water. They turn on all the water and they don't turn it off. They're a nuisance."

Nearby businesses confirmed to ONE News that some customers do feel intimidated by the washers, but say it's a small minority causing problems.

Those working the intersection say they get picked up by police and accrue fines that are converted to community work.

ONE washer says she has been arrested or taken away over 70 times. But she still keeps coming back for more.

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Window washers shun new bylaw