The Bristol community sponsors throughout the year a number of concerts and events, like the Fourth of July Parade, for the benefit of local residents and visitors. Press coverage and letters to the editor have highlighted concerns by the public about breaches of the 5 a.m. curfew before claiming positions on the parade route, and the leaving of seats, to claim a location, over a number of days on public lands at concerts.

Added to these concerns is the behavior of individuals laying out large tarpaulins to claim territory and territorial claims caused by the erection of tents and large shade structures at these events. These territorial claims are typically used by a small number of people.

Placement of these structures at often the choice locations at these events limits the space available to other Bristol residents and visitors. Tents and large shade structures, when placed in front of residents on Hope Street during the parade, obstruct the residents and their visitors’ views of the parade.

It is surely the intention of organizers of these events to allow all an equal ability to enjoy these occasions and not cater to the will of individuals who can only be considered, at their best, insensitive to others, and at their worse, selfish behavior.

And so I ask: why cannot local ordinances be made and enforced which stop these territorial claims.

Noel Hewitt
Bristol