Considering small-scale direct action

[redbird]

How much trouble would I be likely to get into for picking up a theodolite* and moving it, and its protective orange traffic cones, out of the wheelchair ramp that it's blocking?

And is that more trouble than I would get for "accidentally" knocking it over while trying to use the ramp? I don't actually want to break anything; I want people to be able to use the ramp and wheel or walk down the street in my neighborhood.

I called in a complaint about this a few weeks ago, and was told it would be dealt with. It was, for a day or two.

Recently, the theodolite has been there for a short time every weekday morning, occasionally while I'm walking past; it may be there at 9:00 and gone at 9:15. Today I noticed it when I was coming back from the drugstore about 1:00. I spent some time on the phone with Bellevue City Hall, and after looking up the contractor, the woman asked me to repeat the details of what it was blocking, and then connected me to the city employee who is working on that project. I got his voicemail, and left a message despite the greeting starting by telling me that it was Tuesday the 12th.

As a side note, even if you wanted to, you couldn't "just" use the other side of the street, because that sidewalk has been fenced off, for the construction project in question.

*A surveyor's instrument, on a tripod.

Comments

[sraun]

You could put a note on it - 'I very carefully maneuvered around this for (insert number) time. Starting tomorrow, I am going to move it if it is in my way.' And then start moving it afterwards.

[snippy]

If you know an attorney who would do it for free, time for a letter advising the city of their obligations and liability.

[amaebi]

Good Lord.

[adrian_turtle]

Not very much trouble, I think, so long as you make it obvious that you are neither stealing the thing nor damaging it. I would suggest writing a note along the lines of "Please do not block the ramp with your theodolite," and attach it with string or tape. (If the surveyor is across the street, they will come back while you're attaching the the note. But I don't think this is likely.) Then move the instrument a few feet, as needed.

[minoanmiss]

I was going to suggest something much like this (maybe specify that it's a wheelchair ramp in the note, as the theodolite's owner may not be paying attention to that), so I will instead concur.

[bugshaw]

I wonder if they put it there to measure something, or if it's to keep it "out of the way" when it's not being used. Of course, either way they shouldn't leave it there unattended if they're blocking a path.

[redbird]

We're assuming it's to measure something to do with the construction site across the street, given that it's being put in the same spot repeatedly, with traffic cones. Which is no excuse for picking the one spot that blocks the wheelchair ramp, and wandering away.