I read somewhere that the Government was trying to increase the number of Specials. But that isn't the answer. Specials may do 4 hours a week, if that, and that will be to fit the Specials own lifestyle. Thus the times Specials are available will be very limited. They can fulfil a worthwhile role, but are no substitute for regular officers.
One should however look at the role of the Police generally. Parking and traffic obstruction issued are now usually the local authority's problem to enforce, not the police. Indeed I'm not sure if Police in some areas can even issue a parking ticket these days. Thus the PCSOs would not have been there for the traffic chaos that ensues outside most schools, merely to show a "community presence".
It's interesting to not the comments regarding abuse of the PCSOs who are recognised as being toothless. The same thing used to happen in my area to Specials, until the uniform was made much closer to that of Regular Police by removing certain insignia, same colour shirts, etc. That confused the local yobs!
Maybe in time PCSOs will get more power - I'm not saying they should get more power - after all even local council wardens can issue tickets for litter and stuff these days
