Man Hits Officer with Garage Door

© 2001 Door & Access Systems
Publish Date: Spring 2001
Author: Tom Wadsworth
Page 42

CLIPPINGS
Garage Doors and Openers in the Media

Man Hits Officer with Garage Door

An assault with a garage door on a police officer resulted in a $400 fine for a man in Christchurch, New Zealand. According to this newspaper account, 46-year-old Whare Tiopira was followed to his garage by Sergeant Dave Jory. As the officer entered, Tiopira brought the garage door down on the head of the policeman.

Tiopira is reported to have said in court that he did not intend to hit the officer with the garage door because "he was just too drunk to stand." The judge didn’t buy it, ruling that Tiopira had struck the officer with the door deliberately, and ordered that $100 of the $400 fine be paid to the police officer.


New Japanese Remote Controls?

This story reports on the transplant of Detroit’s Trevor Neumann and family to Japan, where they are renting a 2,000-square-foot, Japanese-style home in a suburb of Heiwagaoka. The home reportedly has several conveniences including a garage door remote control "the size of a credit card."

In addition, the home has a remote control for temperature adjustment in every room, a security system that includes a plastic personal access key, and a remote control for the master commode. Among the commode’s features are an underside sprayer, a dryer, a heated seat, and the correct time.


"National Love Affair with the Garage"

In this lengthy article, writer Deane demonstrates how more Americans are paying more attention and more money for bigger and better garages today. Citing that 88 percent of new homes now have a two-car garage, she adds that 3- and 4-car garages are also becoming popular.

Although the garage is used for the increasing number of cars in the household, she says it’s also used as "flex space," with workout facilities, an office, or a washer-dryer. Typically, "A painted drywall finish has replaced cinder block for the interior walls."

Some, she says, are investing thousands for "custom-built farmhouse-style garage doors" that match the style of their 1918 house. One contractor is quoted as saying, "It's become a little house that matches the big house." Windows, too, are thus more common.

Deane notes how the "new urbanist" architects have been critical of the garage. These designers push for "garage mitigation," which avoids the "gaping garage door as the focus of a new house." The garage door is accordingly placed off to the side or back of a house.

Ignoring the new urbanists, she reports that many are investing large sums in a new larger garage, indicating that $40,000-$50,000 for a new two-car garage with asphalt driveway is not uncommon.

The story closes noting that one family spent $115,000 and several months on a new garage, and felt it was well worth it. "We love it," they respond, "and we know that it increases the value of our house."


Europe to Ban GDOs?

Quentin Willson, noted automotive expert in the UK, reports, "There’s a rumour flying round Brussels that's so insane it could be true. Apparently the European Commission, using EU Health and Safety legislation, wants to ban ‘dangerous’ remote-controlled garage doors by 2002."

Willson says the proposed legislation claims that the potential for personal injury is too great to allow "the growth of domestic electric garage doors to continue unchecked."


Remote Control is the Key to Theft

L.W. Parks of Phoenix used to think nothing of leaving his garage door’s remote control on his car seat. But, as reporter Helser writes, he'll never do such a foolhardy thing again.

While Parks was away on a four-day business trip in October, someone jimmied open his car window in the long-term parking lot at Sky Harbor International Airport. The thief found the remote and determined Parks' address from the vehicle’s registration and insurance papers in the car.

When Parks returned home, "Everything was gone," he said. "TVs, stereos, the VCR, jewelry, and anything else that was easily marketable." Using his opener, thieves entered his attached garage and walked into the house through an adjoining door.