Taxpayers have the right to be annoyed when the police deal with their cases sluggishly or leave them unresolved. It is precisely such a situation that I would like to bring to the attention of readers in Bolesławiec—and perhaps representatives of the authorities of our town will read this as well.
Residents of Asnyka Street, along the Żwirki i Wigury–Fabryczna section, are probably the most exposed in the city to factors harmful to health. To the south and west, they have a road with heavy traffic.
There is a car park here, with no restrictions on heavy goods vehicles, as well as a troublesome fuel station, particularly in summer.
From the north—the rear of the street—delivery vehicles have already been polluting the air since the morning. Some lorries have exhaust pipes directed upwards and effectively force fumes into residential premises. They are all the more dangerous because they can stand beneath windows with their engines running for as long as 40 minutes. Their poor technical condition can be smelled and heard. Drivers often do not switch off their engines for fear that they will not start again.
As if these legal emitters of filth were not enough, many drivers have turned this section of the street into a through road. They drive as they please in both directions.
There are constantly 30–50 passenger cars and passenger-and-goods vehicles parked here. They stop beneath the windows of flats on the narrow pavement and on completely ruined lawns. The sellers from the TV shop, florist’s and currency exchange display an exceptional lack of tact. Instead of parking their cars in the car park on the other side of the block, they park in the section beneath the residents’ windows. Owners who live in other parts of the city also park here. It often happens that the parked cars make it impossible to freely enter or leave one’s own stairwell.
Pedestrians most often walk along the narrow roadway because the pavement is occupied by cars. The section of street described is marked with a “No traffic in both directions” sign, accompanied by a plate reading: “Does not apply to residents, shop supplies, MPGK, MZBM.” Since such a sign stands here, lawlessness prevails behind A. Asnyka Street. Interpreting the situation in this way, residents of number 11 wrote to the District Police Headquarters asking for the law to be restored. Thirty days have passed since the letter was submitted to the police, yet the cars are still standing as before. Their owners are already convinced of their impunity. There are even two new enthusiasts of free parking. Those concerned were not even informed why the matter has not yet been resolved or when it will finally be dealt with. I hope that the violation of Articles 35 and 36 of the Code of Administrative Procedure will be addressed by the Provincial Police Headquarters in Jelenia Góra. Perhaps we will learn something from our Police about the matter described, and above all:
1. Why is the detailed agreement concerning the rules and manner of vehicle movement in Bolesławiec, concluded on 11 March 1993 between the Mayor of the City and the Police Commander, signed by the Provincial Police Headquarters and approved by the Voivode, not being respected? (It makes no mention of a car park behind Asnyka Street.)
2. Why do police officers reinforce residents’ mistaken belief that they have the right to park their cars here? Under what authority may approximately 30 car owners pollute the air breathed by more than 300 residents?)
3. Why, since the first verbal interventions in May 1993, has the law arising from the interpretation of the road sign still not been enforced?
The Police occupy a leading position on the list of institutions trusted by Polish society. They deserve this because they work hard for not very impressive pay. The Bolesławiec Police also enjoy the trust of the city and municipality’s residents. I see no reason why someone in the police force would want to ruin this opinion at all costs by allowing a situation such as the one I have described above.