By: Travis Chase | HGP Nightly News|
The Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has made it clear that no individual, business, or religious institution has exclusive rights to parking on public roads, following a heated confrontation between a pastor of the Universal Church and a driver on Charlotte Street last Thursday.
A video of the altercation quickly went viral, showing the pastor and several church members blocking a driver who attempted to park outside the church. The pastor went as far as standing in front of the vehicle and daring the driver to “run him over,” triggering widespread public outrage.
Following the standoff, Mayor Alfred Mentore confirmed that the M&CC had never granted the church any permission to reserve public parking spaces or to prevent citizens from parking along Charlotte or Wellington Streets.
The Mayor stated that the City Engineer’s Department was immediately dispatched to the location, where they removed all encumbrances placed on the parapet—including objects believed to have been used to block parking unlawfully.
City Engineer Colvern Venture has since issued a formal reminder to residents, business owners, and institutions that no person or organization is authorized to erect “No Parking” signs, barriers, cones, chains, or other obstructions on city parapets, roadways, or public spaces without the M&CC’s approval.
The M&CC emphasized that parking on public roads remains first-come, first-served, and any attempt to reserve or monopolize public parking is illegal.
The matter continues to generate debate as residents call for stricter enforcement and penalties against unauthorized blocking of public spaces.
