willc.me

I’ve never really watched a program and seen it have such an effect as “Confessions Of A Traffic Warden”. It was shown a few day ago and walking down the street today I saw a rare sight.

The show followed a group of Westminster Council Civil Enforcement Officers. That’s the name that was given to traffic wardens last year to give them the illusion of authority whilst giving a more customer service orientated approach.

The show’s maker wanted to start out by following some new recruits and their feelings about the job but in an interview he decided that he would change the show to make it about how they viewed the Great British people.

What people said on camera was genuinely shocking. One man, late at night was dragged away by his friends screaming “You fucking coon”. You felt really sorry for the people being paid £7 per hour just to make their way in life whilst suffering the most horrific abuse imaginable.

What really surprised me, as I stood outside the office today was watching a Civil Enforcement Officer walking down the street and how people reacted to him. People smiled and nodded. One person even shook his hand. It’s taken one honest program to reverse years of stigma and abuse. Well, until people get given a ticket of course.