Indeed.
It just reads
"waaa waaa waaa, we are being pointed out as cunts and now we feel obliged to try to deflect that by making some harmless, and indeed probably beneficial, person seem like the bad guy"
(thediscokingpin, Tue 7 Jul 2009, 14:57, archived)

local councils see themselves as the nannies of the community,
if some member of the community only goes and voluntarily does something for their own community, that's like stealing their thunder.
( Moon Girl Technologies horrendous beanbag, Tue 7 Jul 2009, 14:59, archived)

And none more so than Edinburgh city council.
We moved two sets of the communal bins together (about 35ft apart), to allow a much better organised and easier to use street parking, after checking for disabled, or even just unhappy residents.

A few weeks later (and much better parking from the residents) there was a series of big angry neon orange warning letters posted on the bin saying CCTV might used to catch the culprits.
The bin men like it as it saves them a few minutes work.
(thediscokingpin, Tue 7 Jul 2009, 15:07, archived)

This is the old
"I am the master of where things should go, you will respect my authoriteeee" effect.

What would you even get charged with? Is "moving a bin" even an offence?
( Moon Girl Technologies horrendous beanbag, Tue 7 Jul 2009, 15:08, archived)

According to my laywer (srsly) it would be someting about vandalising road furniture,
but there is a slight grey area with wheeled bins on roads, apparently, that would mean the CPS wouldn't even entertain it.

In short, they would be furious and would issue all sorts of threats, but it would be toys out the pram.
(thediscokingpin, Tue 7 Jul 2009, 15:13, archived)

see if you can organise for everyone on the street
to go out at the same time and move it together.
( Moon Girl Technologies horrendous beanbag, Tue 7 Jul 2009, 15:16, archived)

I was thinking
of Guy Fawkes masks, and blaming 4chan.
(thediscokingpin, Tue 7 Jul 2009, 15:18, archived)

They would have to prove actual damage and malice for that to stick.

( L-Space - scientia sapientes vocat., Tue 7 Jul 2009, 15:20, archived)

Apparently 'moving' can be construed as vandalism.
But, again its just hissy fit stuff.
(thediscokingpin, Tue 7 Jul 2009, 15:22, archived)

Vandalism is covered by the Criminal Damages Act 1991, section 2:
[where a person] without lawful excuse damages any property belonging to another, intending to damage any such property, or being reckless as to whether any such property would be damaged shall be guilty of an offence.
( L-Space - scientia sapientes vocat., Tue 7 Jul 2009, 15:27, archived)

Fair enough.
They might whine about the placement of the bins could lead to them beocming damaged (it's on a straight piece of road.....), but I certaihly won't argue with your quote.

In which case my previous point, as seemingly enshrined in local Council law, stands: big squealy hissy fit, waa waa waa.
(thediscokingpin, Tue 7 Jul 2009, 15:35, archived)

Ah. I've just spotted that this is Scotland,
the Common Law offence of Malicious Mischief therefore applies, although they'd still need to establish malicious intent.
( L-Space - scientia sapientes vocat., Tue 7 Jul 2009, 15:39, archived)

And, of course,
if it's on Council property you may be guilty of Trespass as soon as you breach any prescribed conditions of consent, which could reasonably include "Not fucking About With The Bins".
( L-Space - scientia sapientes vocat., Tue 7 Jul 2009, 15:42, archived)