http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/6365168/Spy-car-drivers-shun-the-spotlight/

Spy car drivers shun the spotlight

TIM DONOGHUE

Last updated 05:00 04/02/2012

CRAIG SIMCOX/Fairfax NZ

WITNESS STAND: Ann Reeves became emotional while giving evidence in Wellington District Court yesterday.

Wellington City Council's spy car camera operators are camera-shy.

Former Wellington resident Ann Reeves went to Wellington District Court yesterday to defend herself against a $60 parking ticket issued by a spy car operator near Parliament Buildings on August 31 last year.

Earlier this week, The Dominion Post was granted permission by the court to photograph all witnesses in the case, including the spy car driver. But when the case was heard yesterday, the council successfully argued at a secret in-chambers hearing before JPs Eugene Crosby and Ian Symonds that the spy car driver giving evidence should not be photographed or identified in any way by this newspaper.

At the back of the court were the council's transport portfolio leader Andy Foster, parking services manager Colleen Thessman and PR man Richard MacLean.

Mr MacLean said the application for name suppression, including a ban on photographing the spy car driver, was made in the interest of the driver's safety. "The last thing we want is for the Dom Post ... to run his name and photo. Our wardens receive abuse and threats pretty much on a day-to-day basis and we are not prepared to put our warden at even further risk ..." he said

Ms Thessman described the dash camera car operator as a "mobile warden". The citizens of Wellington had no right to know who the "dash camera car" operators were, she said.

"The disclosure of the warden's identity operating the car has nothing to do with justice. The warden's identity is not going to add to the case."

Mr Foster said council staff did not want the identity of the dash car operators revealed.

However, Onslow-Western ward councillor John Morrison disagreed with the "clandestine" approach, saying the council's action in applying for name suppression on behalf of the spy car driver reeked of hypocrisy.

Secrecy and non-transparency had become hallmarks of the spy car operation. "Hiding in court in this way after these people have been sneaking around town photographing people clandestinely for the past 18 months is highly hypocritical.

"It is just extraordinary that when somebody legitimately seeks to turn the camera on the spy car operators themselves the council runs off and goes ducking and diving for cover ... This operation is owned by the public and should be publicly accountable."

Mr Crosby and Mr Symonds reserved their decision in the case involving Ms Reeves until February 24.

Ms Reeves is defending herself against the $60 ticket for parking on yellow lines in Sydney Street West near Parliament. She told the court she felt intimidated when she was photographed by the spy car driver after giving way to him.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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