By STUART DYE
Undercover parking wardens have caught out more than 300 parents for illegal manoeuvres around Auckland schools.
Operation Chaos at the school gates is a zero-tolerance campaign against the daily traffic mayhem surrounding the city's schools.
But controversial plain-clothes traffic wardens are proving unpopular with some parents.
Rather than confronting offenders and
slapping tickets on windscreens, the council wardens are trying to blend in with the crowds while surreptitiously recording number-plates.
Many parents the Weekend Herald spoke to said they were not even aware that "mufti" officers were on patrol.
Marilyn Mexted, who received a $60 fine after dropping her son off at Auckland Grammar School, said the city council should address the problem constructively rather than by penalising parents.
"Instead of becoming aggressive to our natural behaviour as parents, Auckland City Council should plan around the needs of the public."
A Mt Roskill Grammar parent, who declined to be named, said one-minute drop-off and pick-up zones should be created.
Operation Chaos was launched last year in response to growing problems outside schools and fears of the dangers to children.
Undercover patrols are being used because, although parking behaviour improved significantly when uniformed officers were present, some drivers quickly reverted to illegal and dangerous parking afterwards.
Council traffic safety manager Karen Hay said the programme was helping to reduce the danger to children as well as easing traffic congestion.
Around 40 per cent of morning peak travel in Auckland is education-related.
The programme is restricted to 10 schools, but the council says others are on a waiting list.
Latest figures show 130 parents were ticketed in October last year, 122 in November and 68 in December. The programme has just re-started for the new school year.
Ms Hay said all schools had an obligation to warn parents before officers arrived.
Vicky Barrie, business manager at Auckland Grammar, said the school did not send out a newsletter, but announced the programme in assembly notices. She was pleased with the initiative.
The blitz covers Corran School, Rosebank Rd Primary, Mt Roskill Primary, Epsom Normal Primary, Auckland Grammar, Halsey Drive Primary, Auckland Normal Intermediate, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (Epsom) and St Mary's College.
