The Dark Side Of Dibs
By Chuck Sudo in News on Jan 14, 2015 7:00PM
Chicagoans can recall scores of tales of "dibs revenge"—where drivers angry that someone who parked in a space they spent hours shoveling and reserving get their pound of flesh in some manner, typically vandalism. One such incident in Bridgeport has brought the community together in a show of support. (At least until the next unreasonable asshole flies off the handle and rashly metes out street justice.)
Gabriella Guzman, 5, is on a ventilator and requires round-the-clock health care as a result of a series of illnesses at birth including a heart attack. Guzman's parents have used dibs to save a space for the nurses but someone parked in their space, forcing one overnight nurse to use another dibs-saved spot.
When the nurse went to her car the next day,she found garbage cans piled on top of it. Guzman's parents spoke with DNAInfo Chicago about the incident.
"I don't know if you know what that's like, to depend on a nurse to be able to sleep. We're at everyone's mercy with the nursing care. We literally cannot leave the house unless there is someone there with her. ... It's scary when we don't know from one day to the next if they're going to come in," said Isabelle Guzman.
Guzman's story attracted the interest of outgoing 11th Wad Ald.James Balcer and John Kozlar, a candidate running to replace him. Suddenly, the sidewalk outside the Guzman's home was shoveled by someone and Balcer said he's working to secure a parking space for the family with a handicapped sign.
If you lose your dibs, don't be a jackass. Try to be understanding.