Other Parking Citations Received by Other Victims

This is just a quick summary of other parking citation abuses suffered by other people at the hands (or pens) of corrupt law enforcement. The following comments are personal opinions and stories by these people. This web site takes no responsibility for these comments. It is clear that there are many people who feel wronged and helpless to defend themselves. Unless we fight back, there is little to stop Parking Enforcement Officers from giving citations to anyone, regardless of whether or not they are actually illegally parked or even parked at all. These letters were received before the Forum section of this site was ready.

I recently received an e-mail from someone who was parked on his driveway. Pasadena.

Unidentified

I have thoroughly read this article, and highly commend you for the detailed account and the lengths you went to....besides your full understanding of what their outrageous revenue game is there with their might-makes-right "parking enforcement"....and your on-target philosophical conclusions. I've been going through it with them for 3 months. (Last time I was in LA was 4 yrs ago for a day and a half, and before that only a total of about 4 days in my entire life.) What I have uncovered so far has blown my mind. I don't know how or why the people in Los Angeles have tolerated that crap for so long. (Lockheed Martin IMS Corp IS the LA Parking Violations Bureau, under contract with the city since 1994 for purpose of increasing city revenue and profits for its stockholders from their cut of the take on parking violations, be they valid or bogus such as yours.) Lockheed, using the City's name and city seal, sends all the idiotic "you lose" form letters. No one is accountable there in that racketeering game they've got going in parking enforcement....and as you experienced, there is a sweeping void of conscience. The City's hired hands and their superiors (like the stoneheaded ones deliberately writing wrongful tickets) work in concert with the PVB (Lockheed) whose methods and actions are downright unlawful. I've asked privately to others, "What planet are these people living on?" "Is all of Los Angeles filled with crazy people?" "Why hasn't there been an uprising there?"

My "story" isn't ready for publication yet, and is still not resolved as yours is (thanks to your tenacity). I would ask if you could put your "Los Angeles, Unsafe in Park" story, as is, on the consumer fraud website RipOffReport.com. It's gotten much attention nationally, and there are countless stories of rip offs from all over the country.....everything from government agencies to car dealers....to insurance companies, etc. The site's producer (who I know and have worked with) has been begging me to put my story of the LA parking enforcement rip off scam on the site, but I'd rather wait until more is resolved by my lawyers. (It involves almost $2,000.) What IS so good about the site is that it stirs reactions from others.......people who have been similarly victimized. The RipOffReport.com web site was begun 3 years ago and has mushroomed. If you click it on, you'll see what I mean. (No cost, of course, to put your story on it.).

The fellow who started it got royally screwed monetarily here in Arizona by local government and now offers everyone all over the world to tell their own stories of rip-offs from their personal experience.

Again, thanks for taking the time to write your story.

Marilynn W. 7-17-02.

Hi, my name is Terri and I am in the middle of a parking ticket contestation similar to yours. I came up with your site when I searched under Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 80.69(a). I too received a parking ticket when I parked in front of an incorrect sign for no parking. My sign said no parking on Fridays and I received the ticket on a Tuesday. What I did not know was that there was supposed to be another sign on top which stated no parking, but that was missing from the sign that I took to be correct. So far I lost my appeal. The admistrative decision was that I should have been aware that the sign was incorrect. I am appealing it again, and now it is going to cost me $25 plus time off work. Maybe your letters will help me as I took them off your web site. Just wanted you to know there is another person frustrated with the bureaucracy out there.....Terri

Terri L. 8-10-02.

After reading through the horror story you outlined, I'm inclined to go direct to Superior Court to ask a judge to set aside a citation issued to me (under similar questionable circumstances); what materials have you developed in this area, since I'm starting the process of going through legal research and precedents. (The parking folks already ruled against me using a form letter (even when I requested certain specific types of information), and now I have 21 days to pay it, go to an administrative hearing, or (presumably) go to court).

pete

peter R. 8-19-02.

In research on the Internet in preparation for the long delayed Administrative Hearing in Inglewood on three pending parking citations, I ran across your interesting web site. My series of tickets beginning last year primarily have to do with parking my motorcycles although the final citation was for an automobile with an alleged overtime parking meter violation.

Each citation has what I consider to be a fatal flaw in that the specific code and section violated is not shown on the ticket issued. There are additional cirucmstances on three of the citations which should lead to dismissals in the final analysis.

My score on the first three tickets is two dismissed, one taK. to Superior Court and overturned. Two of the more recent tickets are based on the same circumstances as the one that I took to court. The parking meter violation is being contested on the failure to list the specific code and section. I note that the Los Angeles Parking Ticket, unlike those issued currently in Inglewood, does show a Code and Section.

I certainly have no objection to being properly cited when I am illegally parked and I pay those citations without a murmur. I do object to improper citations as you did. If you would like, I'll let you know the outcome of my Administrative Hearing set on the remaining three tickets, set for May 22.

Oh, and I discovered that all of my preparation for the court hearing was for naught since the Inglewood City Attorney does not appear on court contested parking violations.

F. P. Russell, Jr. 5-15-03

Mr. L.,

Sir I have tried to read your letters to the city of LA and I have found I could not continue,,,the frustration level I was feeling was overwhelming. I really could sympathize with you. Recently I was issued a ticket early the morning of the city election last month.. I found a ticket on my car in my driveway for parking on my front yard, which was totally untrue. my driveway was being repaired on one side so my left side tires were actually stopped on my lawn. In any event I thought restricted parking was by notorious posting of signage imagine getting a ticket for parking on my own private property. I would appreciate any input from you.

. I actually saw those parking guys give tickets for unexpired parking on Colorado Blvd in OLD Towne... I wish I had a cam corder then.

K. Lee 6-19-03

hey friend thanks for posting your la ticket story

if you know of a lawyer who would be interested in trying to make a similar story into a class action suit (the whole process violates 4th amendment due process), than let me know.

otherwise, please know that your episode is inspiring...not just to me but probably to 100 other folks who don't have time to tell you so.

best wishes!

NL 8-27-03

Dear Mr. L.:

Since my truck got towed for parking tickets I am not only not guilty of, but have been fighting diligently, I am embarking on a full-scale assault to fight the rampant corruption within the PVB.

O. Matlin 1-19-04

I too was cited for parking tho the ticket said if i can show it was disabled car, then it would be waived...they ignored my documentattion and the ticket keeps going up to over 100 bucks now.....not fair

Unidentified 1-22-04

Hello K.,

What do you make of the common sight of "No Parking, street cleaning" signs that have white tape over the actual day and time parking is prohibited?

With no specific day and time how can one know when parking is prohibited?

Do you think the Parking Officers are putting tape on the signs? BTW, this does not stop them from ticketing.

Maybe I should remove the tape from the signs in front of a Parking Officer and see what happens?

G. Strickland 2-13-04

K.,

Please add my name to your list. I have had 3 of these...

K. G. Norton 3-19-04.

Hi what's up?

I happened to find your website on the net and found it interesting. I'm considering filing a lawsuit because I have been given parking tickets without the opportunity to fight them. What's going on with your activities relating to fighting the system?

enrique 4-3-04.

Dear Mr. L., I'm taking a chance that your account of your experience(s) with the City of Los Angeles' parking enforcement racket was not written "just for fun" as stated in the heading of your website. Seems about 2 years ago I read your detailed account and may have dropped you a line at that time.

The docket report of my two-year odyssey with the incredible City of Los Angeles (a case that wound up in federal court there -- US District Court, California Central District) can be reveiwed and accessed by any lawyer or anyone with a "Pacer" account. Web address is https://ecf.cacd.uscourts.gov. My case number is/was:03-cv-2819 if anyone is interested.

If you are seriously looking into a class action suit on behalf of all those who have been victimized in any number of ways from the unlawful, dishonest or unjust parking enforcement schemes of the City of Los Angeles, I would advise that you know well and fully trust the lawyer who will be representing you. By all means avoid unscrupulous Santa Monica "class action" lawyer David I. Lefkowitz or any of his associates. (Lefkowitz is unethical and dishonest and might try and seek you out as he did me and my lawyers.)

I imagine that the NBC News report for which you were recently interviewed must have been the scandalous reports that aired there on 2/19 and 2/20/04, researched by NBC4 investigative reporter Joel Grover, on the subject of the invisible and bleached-out "no parking" signage throughoutt the city.....existing like that for 10 years in many cases. Have there been any similar investigative reports since then?

I commend you for your continued interest in City of Los Angeles' parking enforcement. I am just grateful that I live far away from there....never again to set foot (much less wheels) in that corrupt city.

Marilynn W.
Mesa, Arizona

Hi, I too got a parking ticket which was not placed on my car. All of a sudden I got this delinquent notice with additional $130 on top of my $24.00 ticket. I wrote them a letter stating that I never recieved the ticket, however, I will pay for the ticket to resolve this issue but I will not pay for the additional $130 delinquent charges. They took the $24 and sent me a letter stating that they investigated and confirmed that the ticket is mine. How do I fight it? where do I go from here?

S. Kandasamy9-1-04

Hi, K.,

Yes, I. too, received a ticket for complying with two signs on the post near me, not knowing that on every other post there was a 3rd sign, requiring me to "curb my wheels", on a street that had such a gradual grade, I would never have though I was on a hill. This was, though, in West Hollywood. Although I protested the ticket with photos of "my sign", and conpared it to the next signs in either direction, and they said they would do a "field investigation", they still found that "the violation is valid", without giving me any explanation, whatsoever! In this particular case, though I was steaming mad, as you were, as the sign was still not replaced, and I just knew it was so some parking person could continue giving tickets there, my boss had paid for the citation, so I let it go.

This was also because I have been having my own running war with the City of LA for parking a trailer outside my house; being cited invalidly for being there over 72 hours (sometimes even a couple of hours after I have just moved it); being harassed by a very unstable parking lady (won't answer questions; won't look at me; just shouts accusations, who is "out to get me" (and, no, I'm NOT paranoid!); and having it towed twice which caused me to have to pay impound fees to get it out, all because of a neighbor 2 doors down, on a busy street, who thinks it "spoils the neighborhood", so calls relentlessly, causing the LAPD to do a "sweep" (this was admitted to me by the guy at the towyard). They didn't even ticket me (proving there was no violation), just impounded me. I requested a hearing in the very beginning, and no one ever contacted me. I'm supposed to be sent a notice to appeal the two, but it is never sent to me. Add to this, I had been given confliciting information by not only the DMV (I was told that a handicap sticker would exempt me from the 72 hour rule); then told, by a Parking Officer (supervisor), that the DMV was wrong, and also told that there was nothing illegal about having someone stay overnight in my vehicle. So I feel sorry for a VietNam Vet friend who has been given the runaround with disability benefits from the VA (talk about other government beurocracies), and let him stay, rent free in my trailer, while he's waiting for his checks, only to find out, when talking to LAPD, that THEY, instead, say that, NO, that's considered "overnight camping", and is, indeed, illegal, and that LA Parking is wrong. Then they explain to me, that for any parking issue, that the "most restrictive law" is correct, and that it is beholdent on me, the layperson, to figure out who to listen to, and if I am wrong, guess what, I'm SOL! The only advice I got from one policeman re: the nasty neighbor and the "sweep" was to "call my councilwoman"! (Please, tell me what happened to you when you contacted the Mayor -should I just skip my councilwoman?) So, that's what I was about to do (I haven't paid ANY of my tickets, by the way, the whole situation just became too overwhelming, and my husband was sick and dying), when I thought I'd search for anyone else who might be in my predicament, and I found YOU! (By the way, I live in Studio City, so I'll check out that sign you were cited for on Weddington).

So, in short, yeah, let's start an expose on these crooks!

And, keep me "posted" (if you'll excuse the pun!)

M. Kelley 10-19-04.

Hello K.,

I'd just like to be added to your list. I got a parking ticket on Thanksgiving morning for parking in the alley behind my apartment, while I was loading my car. While I was loading my car! While I was going up and down the stairs, I got a ticket in an alley with no signs.

There were no places to park, since the area i live in is in Korea Town, cars fill the street. I actually moved my car from Vermont to load my car. I was really angry that morning after the ticket, but I'll pay the ticket, since I have no resources to do otherwise.

Thanks,
Ollie B. 11-30-04.

Please add my name to your list, Thanks.
You did a stellar job on your case, I am learning a great from it for my own cause.

Malia S. 12-6-04.

Yesterday (12/24), I went to my mailbox and was surprised to find a collection notice for a supposed parking violation, commited almost a year ago (1/24/04), while my vehicle was parked in Los Angeles downtown. I was totally surprised as I've never seen this ticket on my car. Neither did I receive any subseqeunt notices, contrary to what this collection notice claimed.

Since the office is close, I tried to look up the citation to find out what the violation was (it just says "Display of"). Nowhere can I find any description of this citation, although I can get to an online payment option and the citation will come up for payment.

After reading about your experience, I become more convince that there must be some conspiracy by this private subcontractor to deliberately withheld this tickets, as well as not mail out notices (maybe even mail them to wrong addresses), in order to maximize their earning. I bet, they're getting a percentage of the collection. They probably also get more money when a citation is sent to collection.

The total amount is only $81.00 ($69.00 for fine & penalty and $12.00 for collection fee).

Ordinarily, it's not worth my time to even spend 10 minutes on this. It's tempting to just pay it and forget about it. But I'm really sick and tired of these corrupt City official conniving with private companies to milk the public illegally.

Also, I wonder if they're targeting specific profile. Those who will most likely not contest this and simply pay up. I wonder if owning a late model Lexus and living in Newport Beach in Orange County may have something to do with this as well.

It will be interesting to know how often this thing happen.

Andrew L. 12-25-04.

OK, you can post my message on your website. Just use my first name.

I believe I may actually be there. I found out what the ticket was for after calling them. It was for not having a front license plate (DMV only sent me one license plate). I don't know whether or not it was blown away but I didn't recall see anything beside the car that looks like a ticket.

The thing is, they claimed to have sent four previous notices to my P.O. box before the collection letter, which I never received. One or two misdelivery is credible, but all four not reaching me? I've not missed any other regular mails such as credit card & bank statements that are mailed to me regularly.

I bet this private contractors earn more money from late fines, penalties and collection fees. They also want to make sure that the deadlines for contesting the tickets have all passed before they mail their collection notice.

It's just wrong to make parking violation a money making private enterprise. Does this mean that to achieve their yearly business goals for revenue growth they will have to devise ways and means to encourage for violations?

Andrew L. 12-28-04

Hello K.,

I'm a writer/director living in LA. I just read your article online about how the LA parking patrol tried to scam you. Unfortunately, the reason I was looking for such an article is that I am in a similar situation at the moment. I don't want to take up too much of your time, but you might be the only one who can help me.

My situation is...
1. I committed no violation
2. A patrol attendant knew I committed no violation, yet decided to issue a citation after the fact, without my knowledge
3. I was fined additionally for late fees on a citation I never knew about
4. It took the city so long to tell me about the citation that I can supposedly no longer fight it

On November 30, 2004, I was moving a desk into my apartment in Los Angeles. My lease began December 1, so I wanted to have everything in the day before. I pulled my car into the alley behind my house and safely parked to the side of the road. I put my flashers on, just as a precaution, while we moved the desk. After about five minutes, my wife and I had the desk inside the apartment and I was ready to leave. I returned to my vehicle to find the LA parking patrol looking at my car. When I explained that I was moving a desk, the woman said harshly "You're lucky. Don't do it again." She drove off, and then I left to return to North Hollywood, where I was currently still living.

February 14, 2005, a citation was mailed to a former address of mine in Pennsylvania. [I had recently driven the car cross-country, and (at the time) had not registered for permanent residence in CA.] My parents forwarded the letter to me this past week, and I was furious to see what it said...

It said I owed $83.00 for a "standing in alley" citation on November 30. The letter gave no information on how to contest the citation, only how to pay. I called the hotline and talked to a rep who told me A) it is now too late to contest the citation, even though i was never made aware of it B) $43.00 of my fine were from late fees, which were the fault of LA taking 3 months to get in touch with Pennsylvania and C) municipal code 86.61 says that it is lawful to park in an alley to move "materials and people," which would include my desk.

I called again twice more, talking to 2 more reps, and all of them said that there is nothing I can do. Not one of them had sympathy for my situation, even though it was clear to them that I committed no violation.

WHAT DO I DO? I'm running out of options. If I don't pay within the next 10 days, the fine will double again. Any help you could give would mean the world to me, as I'm fighting a system that everyone tells me I can't beat. I'm not a rich man. I really could use that money. But, more importantly, I can't sleep at night. It bothers me to no end that we live amidst a system so corrupt. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
Brian M. 3-5-05

K.,

You can certainly add my case to your website. I think making a movie about this kind of thing would be something like "Falling Down" with Michael Douglas. :-) Better yet, I want to one day combine the efforts of people like you and me into an organization whose sole purpose is to reform LA's unconstitutional ticketing racket. I don't have the money for such a thing right now, but I've got things in the works, and who knows, if one of my films breaks it big...then why not? :-)

I'm going to pay the fine and then start a letter-writing campaign to fight for a refund on this ticket I never saw and late fees I never knew a thing about. We should keep in touch. I appreciate your support.

Sincerely, Brian M. 3-5-05

K.,

I mailed in the payment, as well as a separate letter showing evidence of my innocence and requesting an investigation with the goal of a refund. I'm sure they'll try to ignore me, but I plan to take a cue from "Shawshank Redemption" and write letters every month to anyone and everyone I can for the rest of my life until they eventually have to do something. :-)

-Brian M. 3-9-05

Hello Mr. L.,

My wife and I have been harassed in front of our own home with multiple parking tickets. In one instance when we confronted the parking enforcement officer, we found our tire slashed the following morning (same tire that was marked), and our second car had the parking light smashed. Of course, the evidence is purely circumstantial but highly coincidental, since we have never received any damage before until we threatened the officer with complaints. Do you know of any organized groups that are currently fighting to reform this department, or even better a class action suit. I also believe this department is corrupt and needs complete overhauling. The officers were very rude and threatening.

Thanks for any information you can provide.

Bruce and Lenka L. 4-7-05.

Yes, you may add my name to your website if you would like. Please let me know if there is any group action that organizes to correct this abuse of our delegated authority. Parking enforcement as all enforcement agencies are aware that there greatest strength is our lack in time. This event is upsetting enough that I would seriously consider contributing monies in collaboration with others to seek a class action against this corrupt office. I know this is probably not a big case, but I think this would be a good fit for a junior attorney trying to get their feet wet with class actions, if anyone knows one of that description. Can you send me the link to your website? I was only able to connect to your cached site.

Thank you,
Bruce L. 4-8-05.

I was cited for parking violation on 28th November 2004, at Larrabee Street. The Citation Number was: 20173677. I felt that there were not enough signs to know that the parking spot was permit only. I immediately filed to contest this violation both on paper and then online.

Later I received a letter, dated 01/18/2005, titled "Reminder: Notice of Delinquent Parking Violation". I was surprised. I called the Customer Service Line. I was told that my appeal was under review and that I was sent a letter. I never received the mentioned letter. The person told me that I would be mailed the letter again.

I kept waiting for the result of my appeal until I received another letter, dated 04/05/2005, titled "Unpaid Parking Violation: Final Notice". The amount had also increased from $39 to $80.

I talked to the customer service again. The person told me that I gave the wrong address (didnt write down my apratment number) so I am responsible for not getting any letters and that I should pay up or the amount will continue to increase.

If the city can send me the reminder and final notice at the right address then why can't they send me the letter about the appeal at the correct address as well? I mean, I would have the amount, have I known that the appeal had been dealt with. I think the extra fee is unjustified. Also, the people I talked to at the Customer Service line were rude. I have already paid the original $39 (even though I still am not clear about the status of my appeal). They still want me to pay the late fee. They say there is nothing I could do about it as I made the mistake of not writing down my apartment number and now I have to pay for it.

I feel so upset.

Regards, Asfandyar K. 4-19-05

Hi,

I glanced through your site. So you have contacted the Mayor's Office, talked to TV, ans still nothing?

Have you tried talking to your local representative?

This is the first time in 4 years since I came to America that I have come accross an Organization that has no regards for people (that they are supposedly serving). I just cant believe it. When I was trying to ask if I could speak to someone regarding the unjustified late fee penalty, I was told rudely that I cant do anything about it. The last person I talked to told me that I should pay up or the sity would keep billing me. It is so frustrating.

I havent even seen the review notices to my appeal.

Asfandyar. 4-19-05.

Sure. Add it to the site.

You mentioned a lawsuit. Can we not mobilize and start a campaign. We could raise funds. Get other people who have been abused by the LA Parking Dept. to come forward, and force an investigation.

I may have just bene ignorant, about the LA's Parking system, causing the ticket, but the way the Dept. treated me was unjustified. The people at the customer service are unbelievably rude.

Asfandyar.

I am thinking about starting a Yahoo Groups.

I will try to adevrtise it. You could put a link on your page too. We can try attracting more afectees and getting their stories and then try to do something concrete.

Asfandyar.

Check these pages out:

http://ombudsman.lacounty.info/

http://ombudsman.lacounty.info/contact_us.htm

Would this be of any help?

Asfandyar.

I filed a complaint with the Department of Ombudsman. http://ombudsman.lacounty.info/

http://ombudsman.lacounty.info/contact_us.htm

They finally replied. They say they are looking into my case. I sugest that you do the same.

Asfandyar.

please, tell me more about how bad these people are. It's like they're Nazi, they have no compasion for anyone, they don't care. I'm almost sure they were beat up when they were children.

It's almost like they are a cult with no mercy. I get more lead way from the LAPD when i'm stoped. Do they work off a quota? enough is enough. We pay enough to live in this city and on top of getting a parking ticket makes it unpleasent. what city office is incharge of the parking violations? Mayor's office? Who. When LA city officals look for a change in peoples addtudes towars the way we see city workers they need to keep in mine that the parking officals are more of a pain, and a hinderence then help. We look towards LAPD as heros and firemen as people we can trust but the parking enforcment are just the basterds of the city who generate some sort of revanu for the city. I wouyld actualy be intrested in finding out who much theu bring in monthly as well as yearly.

I revived a ticket for being parked at least 10 feet from a fire hydrant, there was no red paint to indacate the proxcimity of how far i was, not like i carry a tape mesure to check my parking skills, everywhere else i look there is most always RED Paint to indacate how far i'm parked from the fire hydrant in this case there wasn't. Of course i have to pay for it now because they rejected my apeal. What the fuck, that's all i can say anymore, WHAT THE FUCK......................... Please get back to me at this email address --- SAL

Dear K.,

I am interested in seeing the department of parking violations totally banned in Los Angeles. An interesting thought, I would say. Are you interested in the same thing? Perhaps you could offer some suggestions on how to start. I was thinking of getting a copy of the laws that someone got passed somewhere along the line, and then getting petitions signed . . . .

Dorothy L. 11-2-05

Please add me to your list of frustrated Los Angelinos against the mob shakedown we call the Parking Violations Bureau!

Tara S. 11-29-05.

Without getting into a full description: I'll give you what i sent on my online citation then answer any questions.

Here i was parked in a zone right outside my apartment complex driveway with my pass displayed. A new neighbor from an adjacent complex had bought out a temporary pass (one of those written ones) for 10 - 2pm and posted them on the two car lengths in front of my car (the section between driveways holds 3 cars, I was in the last one that was not covered by her sign.) she complained even though my spot wasn't covered by her purchase. The cop wrote the ticket anyway while flirting with the girl, and he even write the accurate time down from her signs! After arguing with him to the point of admitting there was an error, ...still nothing. The girl even admitted that she called falsely. The officers quotable statement was : "I'm the parking king, I've removed your towing fee by calling off the tow truck, ...you should be happy, you saved $250 bucks". I was so pissed, I snapped back, "i didn' SAVE anything I lost $40 because of your arrogant stupidity". He was nervous and knew he did wrong. I just said to the audience, "look hes scared cause he knows he's lying and dishonest, and he's afraid to get caught." it was quite humorous dispite how pissed I was.

This is only one of many abuses that I have heard of in my area. All my neighbors have at least one story of blatant abuse. Where are the news teams who 'uncover' or 'reveal' corruption? I would love to tell the story. I have 8 pictures taK. immediately after the officer put his car in gear and spead on his way. They tell an amazing fact of the corrupt parking officials.

please feel free to repost after taking out any revealing information.

Thanks.

sean

P.S. just to add to the idiocracy, the supposed spots had two temporary signs for two different people on the same day with overlapping time brackets! Wouldn't it be interesting if both parties tried to use their supposed 'spot' for that day?

The exerpt from my comments on the online contest form from www.weho.org

The ticket states: "per complaint / tow away no parking 8am to 1pm." I have photos of both of the signs and none of them show that time bracket. The girl who "complained" was there when the officer wrote the ticket. She was trying to get us moved even though we were nowhere near her spot. When I pointed out that we weren't even parked in that girls zone and she had no right to call the tow truck on us, the officer told us that the ticket was already written and that we should contest it. (The fact that he was flirting with her didn't help his judgement either.)

I also have photos taK. of the car that clearly show: 1) closeups of the signs and temporary signs both of which state a different time zone mentioned on the citation; furthermore it shows 2) position of the signs in relation to my vehicle which is clearly not in the zone and its position clearly (two car lengths) away from the girls 'space'; 3) my car, the permit in it.

This ticket was issued in error! I have 8 different photographs showing the error. And I also have 3 witnesses to the event. I've been hearing about how unfair the west hollywood ticket 'police' are, how they even break the law by writing false tickets which have no way of being proved wrong....this is the first time I've witnessed this firsthand. The officer was rude and arrogant and admitted his error but blamed it on the fact that the ticket was already written. We, the citizens, pay taxes. The city of west hollywood shouldn't have to be unscrupulous or illegal to get money out of us. Lord knows if we (the citizens) had similar practices, and the shoe was on the other foot, we'd be thrown in jail or given a fine! Yet we have no DEFENSE against these crackpot ticket writers, who waste our time and money with the touch of a keypad.

Nevertheless, I will use my photographic evidence and witnesses to rectify this situation if this ticket is not dismissed. I'm also going to notify the news program which uncovers abusive public servants, who aren't fully serving the public, but only trying to make money for the city even if it requires dishonesty.

Sean K. 1-16-06.

I have yet another story.

I was parked legally in a full meter a few streets down while I ate breakfast with my wife at the (name omitted). When we came out, we had a ticket stating that we were: parking in a handicapped spot with no placard visible. There was no handicapp spot! I took digital photos of the spot the curb the signs everything...and now I have to contest that one.

When I was filling out the contestation, I also recognized something....it was the same officer in my story below two weeks prior! I know he remembered me from before...coincidence?

Sean K. 2-3-06.

Here are the photos. I would just ask that you not reveal street names or the (name omitted) because it would be very easy to find our car on the odd chance someone was demented enough to find us. But you could use 'restaurant' and of course 'west hollywood' and if you dare 'officer davis' (at your discretion). I appreciate it. Good luck! I think what you're planning with this site is a VERY good thing.

the "1" photo shows my recent endeavor. No markings whatsoever of handicap. I know for a fact that its not because I always go to (name omitted) and park in the vacinity. No curb markings, no meter marking, no signs, nothing. The construction stuff was placed there between when I got the ticket and when I took the photo.

The "7" photo is from my first 'altercation' with officer Davis (I emailed you an account of that one about 2 weeks ago). This photo clearly shows the last posted sign (on the tree) which wasn't even the complainers sign. She was just pissed that her moving truck didn't have a full runway to pull into her spot. Of course officer davis flirting with the young girl/model/actress wanted so bad to be a hero. As we waltzed out to move our car at the correct time...we found the grim scene,...Officer Davis directing the towtruck on where to tow us!

Seana K. 2-6-06.

Dear K.:

I would like to add my case to your website or collection to report a case of parking violation abused by City of Los Angeles. Here is my story:

I parked my car at a space near 972 Hilgard Ave, Los Angeles, near UCLA, Westwood area at 1:15 pm on January 9, 2006. The street allows cars parked for 2 hours between 8 am to 6 pm. When I returned at 3:15 pm, a ticket was on my windshild, indicating my car had parked there from 12:02 pm (the Time Marked) to 02:12 pm (Time Issued). Obviously, the parking enforcement officer just tried to fill his/her daily quota. Later I found a guy having his car parked in front of mine also got a ticket. He mentioned that he was abused by the same reason, ticketing to innocent people who parked legally.

After searching websites for many hours to find how to fight back such a corrupted practice, I feel encouraged to write to you about my story and tell the guy who got his ticket at the same time. But I feel discouraged to contest to the Parking Violation Bureau because reading many stories show that it will take too much time and energy to fight back via the regular manner. In addition, I have no way to prove that I parked my car between 1:15 to 3:15 pm. So I deceided to just pay the fine for $30, but do other tasks to fight it back.

I respect you that you are providing a way to fight back for justice and American spirit, against the corrupted city agency and practice. Do you mind giving your name, website address (http://www.SLAPEC.org), and e-mail address to those who might have been abused by LA Parking Enforcement Officers? When more cases are compiled, as what you indicated at the end of your website, a class law suit against those who have been wrongly enforcing parking law may be possible. Thanks for your good work.

Best regards,

Rong Y. 1-27-06.

I am a traffic officer employed by the city of L.A.

Although there are no daily quotas, the dept. will pay overtime pay at the rate of time and one half, for any officer who writes min 8 tickets per hour. Have been advised to be aggressive. e.g; cite vehicles even when occupied by driver, as opposed to asking motorist to move, as we were told in training.

Also I have been pressured by Lieut. to impound vehicles that according to city policy should have been only cited.

Recently the City learned that the \"parking over 72 hours\", LAMC 80.73.2 , impound law was written incorrectly. As of now not being enforced. Corrected law to go in effect July 2006. Who knows how many vehicles have been impounded incorrectly. Shouldn\'t the City refund those impound fees.

That\'s all for now. If interested in more, send reply

from "Don\'t want to be bad Traffic Officer" 6-30-06

ps. I returned to England to see my family and when I got back I saw a ticket in the mail which doubled in price on Oct. 11. I called up to pay on October 12 and explained that I had been out of the country and was told "tough luck, the city does not recognize that excuse, you cannot appeal." It was the first I had known about the downtown ticket as there was no ticket on my windshield and the letter saying the ticket would be doubled was sent Sept. 27 and enforced Oct. 12. Whatever happened to 21 days?

Nick 10-15-06

I parked in a street with signs of no parking on thursday and on the other side no parking on fridays. All of a sudden one day they changed the signs to \"no parking anytime\" with no notice. I got a ticket, I called them and they said they put up notice before changing the signs, I never saw a notice.

Oscar 2-14-07

I have found a clear and consistent pattern of illegal issuance of tickets throughout the Greater Los Angeles region (including Santa Monica, West Hollywood, Hollywood, and L.A. proper) The common denominator in these cases is the Parking Enforcement vendor (LCD Parking Services) which is a private, for profit entity. As a result, I am actively researching the possibility of a class action suit against all local jurisdictions using LCD for Parking Enforcement. What I\'d like to know is what you\'ve done to date? Have you contacted any local attorneys? Has anyone expressed an interest in handling this case?

As was the case with your ticket, I was given several tickets which were wrongfully issued, and the jurisdictions in question refused my appeals in spite of photos demonstrating their gross oversights in originally issuing the tickets. I withheld payment, which subsequently lead the City of West Hollywood to garnish my 2006 California Income Tax return (in the amount of $250) to cover tickets. Further, my vehicle registration was withheld for 2007, causing potential further fines.

It is my contention that local officials have conspired to orchestrate events to avoid a losing lawsuit, as I am a politically active, and vocal opponent of many local Democratic Party officials. I believe they\'ve attempted to craft a strategy, whereby the only jurisdiction I didn\'t appeal was the jurisdiction tasked with withholding the sums in question, thereby creating cause for their argument that I didn\'t properly see the system through.

I\'d be very interested in speaking with you further to discuss your own situation and the actions you\'ve taK. to date.

Sincerely,

Robert. B.

I was sent a notice in August 2007 that a ticket I never got in May 2007 went into penalty and is now $174. I was at work in Santa Monica at the time the ticket was issued in Marina del Rey. The car was registered under my mother\'s name Gitty Rahbar and she tried fighting it to no avail. A couple of years ago I got another one on Melsose when I was at work in West LA. I have a feeling somebody has my/car information and fills out a ticket when quota his/her is short and don\'t know where to go to file a complaint.

Nickaun V. 9-13-07

i found your website while researching confusing street signs that cause one\'s car to be impounded. this happened to me last night just south of hollywood blvd on ivar. there were three signs posted: 2hr parking 8to 6 m-f, no parking 6pm to 3am sunday only and a temporary no parking monday only sign. i parked on ivar on saturday night at 7:30pm, clearly thinking i was abiding by street sign regulations. the catch was another sign posted on each corner of the block but not within sight if one parks in the middle of the block. this sign said no parking from 6pm to 3am and didn\'t state any day. in other words, no cars were allowed to park on the street any day between those hours. it was impossible to see the sign the way i parked AND when i walked toward hollywood blvd, the sign on that corner faces north, coincidently the same direction i was walking!!!

i am returning to take photos of the area during the day. a security guard from a nearby danceclub/bar said that the confusing signs always catch parkers unaware and the city tows batches of cars 3to 4 nights a week! i wasn\'t the only one standing on the block last night angry and frustrated, there were two other people whose cars had been towed and who were equally as confused as i about the unclear signs.

do you think i have a case against the city? i am also going to photograph clearly marked streets with similar parking limitations that i am familiar with. if i recall correctly, these streets have signs posted on EVERY post not just on each corner. how ridiculous is that?!

your advice would be greatly appreciated. also, any tips you have as far as how to address the department of transportation hollywood division would be great.

thank you,

M. Flores 9-23-07

This is 3rd time I am getting a parking ticket in LA.

First time I got it in a mistake and since I was parked in a parking lot at that time they accepted it as a proof after freaking 3-4 letters to them since its impossible to reach them by phone.

Second time I parked on the hills where you can see the sunset and about 20 minutes after sunset they gave a ticket for $50 - which I paid and now they send me amount due $60 since apparently I did not pay on time. HERE\'S A CATCH - most collection agencies are not allowed to take interest of more than 15% annually. this is more than 100% monthly. It is clearly illegal.

Third time - same day I parked in Santa Monica where parking meters were always free after 10PM - yet it appeared they changed them to 2AM. Got a ticket for $35.

Please let me know if there\'s a class action for anything they do and if I can join.

N. Petrov 11-6-07

Wrongly ticketed a full car length from the red zone. Appeal denied b/c street sign was not included (despite prominent landmarks). received letter to pay and option to request hearing with five days before day date remaining. paid ticket and requested hearing. hearig denied b/c payment 1 day late and additional penalties of $100 added. etc. etc. etc.

P. Horn 12-11-07

YOu and I spoke last year. I\'d like to follow-up, as my refusal to pay tix issued without a violation has resulted in my car being impounded and I\'m now attempting tolocate an attorney to address the immediate issue, as well as the underlying issues.

R. Boleyn 12-13-07

(This is a criticism of this web site from a nameless individual:)

This message is from , (not stated)

Do you realize how much time and energy you\'re wasting on this? There are a million other people who get tickets and everyone has a reason or excuse.

I'm sorry but creating a website to trash someones job doesn\'t seem fair. You went through what you went through, get over it. We all make mistakes.

S-Pk 12     1-8-08

To this, I can only say, Where would we be if George Washington or Patrick Henry had just paid the tea tax and gotten over it. They want us to pay the extortion money and get over it. A lot of innocent people are hurt by these false charges and "getting over it" only allows it to continue. Wrong is wrong, even when wearing a uniform and a badge. A bully is a bully regardless of position. The officer who gave me my ticket didn't make a mistake, he knew the sign was wrong.

Gilbert Marquez simply said, "Get over it loser."

Since I won, not lost, I guess he's the loser. Anyway, that's what these crooks what us to do, pay for thier mistake or criminal act, and get over it.

If you decide to pursue a class action suit, I am in! I don\'t want money but I would love for the parking folks in Los Angeles to be forced to follow the law. I was sent parking citations at two separate times. And yes I was guilty. So I paid the fines both times, ON TIME. BOTH TIMES, I WAS SENT LATE NOTICES. The first, I ignored. Then I got sent another. I called, wrote, let them know it was their mistake. Then I tried to contest the late fee, they said I couldn\'t. I wrote them a letter saying they were denying me due process because while it may be too late to contest the parking violation, the late fee was NEW and therefore I was well within my 21 days.
They said I COULDN'T protest a late fee.

Now I've been sent another.
It was issued 11/19/07.
I was sent a notice 12/12/07. You'll note that they didn\'t send the notice until after 21 days.
It said it needed to be paid before 12/26/07. 50 dollars. or else it would double to 100.
I paid before then, over a week before, not close to 12/26/07.
Yet I was sent a late notice on 1/23/08, saying I now owed 60 dollars, the 50 late fee plus an additional 10 dollars although no explanation was given for the extra 10.

I am currently trying to find some municipal code or something, regarding late fees, as I feel they need to show 'liquidated damages' to collect these. there are codes concerning liquidated damages on rental late fees, and I was trying to find similar on parking. no luck yet.

mostly I don't understand how a company can charge late fees when something isn't late, and give the citizen NO way to contest these fees.

good luck on the class action suit,
Jessica 2-1-08

Have you found any helpful people at the PVB? any one with any responsibility? I have spoken with several very rude and abusive bureaucrats and the main supervisor must spend his time at the office on the links.

any insight would help- this is by far the worst office I have ever had to deal with. I completely understand why this site is here.

thanks, Claude 2-9-08

On two occasions, both within the past 6 months, I have received notices for tickets that I was never issued in LA and Pasadena. I've never been to LA or Pasadena! I live in Monterey.

The first time this happened, I gave them the benefit of the doubt - possibly an error - but twice in 6 months? That's inexcusable. I've contested both tickets - I suspect the meter maids are issuing phantom tickets.

Jason: 2-18-08

i received a parking ticket. i sent the payment in the mail, and the parking office did not receive it. when i got a notice saying that i would be charged double if not paid, i promptly went to the parking office and paid for the citation. i asked them what would happen to the check, and they told me that if they ever found the check, they would cross reference the citation, and send me my check back since the citation had already been paid for. they found the check 5 months later, and tried to deposit it. i had the foresight to put a stop payment on the check, so it was returned unpayable (cause it had already been paid). I get a notice from the parking offce 6 months later that Iowe them $35 for a returned check fee on a citation that has already been paid. So now, I went to the parking office and explained everything and took my evidence. Of course, they are trying to tell me I am at fault, so I filed an administrative review. Such bastards! They said they don't have the man power to check each payment to see if it had already been paid or not, but they sure have enouch man power to charge BS fees for their mistakes.

neesha s: 2-29-08

hey just came across your site. Wanted to let you I think its great. My disgust with the PVB started in a similar manner when I received a ticket. I fought it and eventually received a refund, but its a huge pain in the ass to do. Even after I went to court and won the appeal the PVB refused to pay me claiming they never received anything from the court. It took sending another copy certified to get my money. If there is anything I can do to help support the site let know.

Sep: 3-4-08

I paid my parking ticket with a VISA Card at 10:00 pm on 3/23/08 to avoid additional penalties Via Lacity.parking.org Internet site.

The LA City Internet site gave me a fraudulent receipt indicating I made the payment on 3/24/08 7:40 PM so the City could justify additional penalties the City of LS was not entitled to collect.

This is fraud. I need a refund of $24.00. This frauduent activity needs to be stopped.

Please advise

P. Bartley: 3-24-08

I got parking ticket while inside hardware store. came out to gey in pickup. I told the meter maid my disabled placard was hanging on the mmirror. he ignord me, wrote sommething and I recieved an expired meter two weeks later on the expired meter. I sent a copy of my I.D and Photot of Placard and was told they had not recived it m that it the placard I.D was not in the letter sent to the Parfking violation bureaau. The guy that wrote the ticket saw me and I told him about the placard but he ignored me so my coopertion was in vain.

A. Tafoya: 4-3-08

I paid for a ticket online which i was at fault for, but only when i was online did i see an additional citation for the morninig of may 5th 2008. I was parked in a no parking 7-9am zone, however I had left at 6:30 am for work. There was no citation on my car. I can\'t ultimatly prove that I had left at 6:30 so its my word against theres. But there are security cameras on this street in downtown, which can prove my car was not there on or after 7am, the refuse to look. They have stolen money from me, and I want to fight it on principal alone. ideas?

David M.: 5-19-08

I just wanted to report one of your employees who switched lanes into the carpool lane and cut me of at about 90 mph. He crossed over the double yellow lines and was traveling well over 100 mph after that, Not to mention he was by himself in the carpool lane. His license plate # 1263025 55- 01744

Michael W.: 5-20-08

Although I have no doubt that you have received a great deal of support for your website from other viewers, I would also like to commend you for speaking out. I have just recently been under similar circumstances, and when I asked the city for answers, all they could say was that my ONLY option was to pay a ticket. I\'ve always been excellent at paying tickets when I knew about them and they were clearly a violation of law, but this particular ticket was unwarranted and improperly served, so I wasn't notified of it until fines had accrued. When I asked for numbers, names, and supervisors, they simply kept repeating to pay it, and there were no other alternatives. She clearly was reading off a script and nothing more. I got the number for the adjudication department so that I could report the badge number of the parking official and the "customer service" woman who performed anything but that, but conveniently enough, it\'s impossible to reach them. Now I'm simply left with anger and a feeling of the anxiety because it seems clear these parking officials have "cart blanche" authority to do whatever they want. It\'s scary and frustrating, so to see your website at least reminds me that there are other people willing to fight for their rights and the principle of checks and balances. So, for whatever it\'s worth, thank you.

Kady B.: 5-22-08

I would like to add my name to your list for a possible future lawsuit against parking enforcement. On July 3, 2008, I received a parking ticket for an expired meter that had 11 minutes left on it. I have made phone calls and sent photographs and letters to indifferent city officials. I now am waiting for a court date (for a $40.00 fine like yours) and will have to take a day off of work (I teach, so our tax dollars will have to pay for a substitute). I am currently trying to get an investigation of the parking officer for lying (he \"swore up and down the meter was on zero\" to his supervisor). I am truly disgusted with a system that does not protect honest people.

Denise A.: 8-24-08

This page says it was last updated over two years ago; are you still compiling names?

I have gotten 2 illegal fines from the parking violations bureau this summer. The first, they filled in the wrong amount on the ticket, I paid it on time, and now they think I owe them more. I think I paid them what they fined me. Can't be tried twice for the smae crime, or so I thought..?

The second one - I was ticketed for parking in a street cleaning zone one day at 10:11 AM, and again-although the citation was never actually put on my car-at 10:27 AM. Two different locations, 5 feet apart, all while I lay in bed sleeping thinking it wasn't street cleaning day. Lucky me. And again, because I paid my ticket on time, the one that never was actually put on my car is the only one they can see in their system and so they say it\'s valid.

The supervisors are always "in meetings". No one calls you back when you say you're available, and half the time they don't mail you the paperwork they tell you is on the way.

Their incompetence is shocking.

Thanks for the place to vent. I hope some day we can get a break from this horrible bunch of thieves.

Laura M.: 8-27-08

Dude, i received 2 tickets on the 18th of february, knowingly i saw the sign said no parking 10am to 12noon, but what got me was when i looked at my tickets, it says time issued: 12:42pm, time issued: 12:45 pm, on the other one... so here i am today walking out to get a photograph of the sign for my attorney because they cant issue me a ticket for the wrong time right? and they changed the fucking sign to no parking 12noon to 2pm! so wTF!!! this is corrupted bullshit man. what the fuck do they think they are trying to pull here? this is not how our state is going to get out of debt by corrupt parking ticket officers. my attorney is going to fight this for me free of charge, i'm not forking out 120$ FOR something that i'm getting scammed into.

Kris: 3-2-09

I recently had my car ticketed and towed. My parking permit had never been taken down from the mirror. Yet when I went to pick up my car, it was on the floor covered up by an obviously well placed piece of paper.

While this proved I had the right to park there, I was too late to get my money back (10 day rule I didn't know about).

My buddy has caught these roaches breaking into his car to remove his handicap placard from his mirror and stopped them. Is ther anything we can do to stop this stuff?

We tried to stick up for some other folks who were being towed. The tow-truck driver had just arrived when the girls came back to their ticketed car. The driver is not supposed to tow if the equipment is not attached. He continued attaching the hoist and then asked them for $80 cash to take it down. That's when I stepped in. I had them take their money back and use a credit card so they could have a receipt. The driver wouldn't do it. The cops were called. The cop said he was too busy to deal with the situation and that it was our word over the tow truck drivers. The cop drove away. By this time (40 minutes later) about 7 roach parking enforcement vehicles had showed up... The driver towed the vehicle despite the law and the girls were stranded till morning. No receipt. This is bribery in case you didn't catch that. More importantly, afterward the roaches hung around and followed my friend when he tried to leave, driving by every 30 seconds to try and locate his car and shining their flashlight in his face. Took 45 minutes before they stopped. I told him to wait because I was sure they were gonna do something with his car, tow and ticket it later on. I can't believe we were stalked by the parking agency. What's the difference between Blackwater, who have the power to make police stand down, and parking enforcement who if you assault them it\'s the same as assaulting a police officer?

I'm pissed!

Clint: 4-8-09

The worse part is when they give you a ticket despite an error on their part.

Usually, it's a sign that's misposted, a defective meter, or a curb that is not freshly painted and you can't even see the color.

Also, when they state that a Street Cleaner is suppose to come - the cleaner never comes! What's the purpose of having everyone move their cars to the opposite side if the Street Cleaner truck never does its job?

It's profound stupidity on the part of the municipal government filled with people who couldn't make it in the real world.

I'm supporting you!

Your friend,

Tim

Tim: 4-17-09

My contest letter to the bureau:

EXPLANATION:

My car was aligned almost perfectly with the meter, which I incidentally overpaid (meter did not read 3 of my quarters). My car was also parked inches behind the previously parked vehicle. I received a ticket anyway for Red zone (bumper). I understand the city of LA always needs additional funds, but I can assure you I need the $78 as it cuts into my lowered $3/day food budget. Please forgive this ticket, so I can forgive the city back for what I can only see as an error in curb painting (shouldn't the meter-to-red 'clear curb' area be long enough to fit an average size car like mine???) Shouldn't the fact that my front bumper aligned with the meter, and parking only inches from the car in front of me be enough? I used sensible rule-abiding logic when making the decision to park there. PS - I haven't charged the city for all the quarters the LA meters have eaten - It's probably $8 or $9 if you're curious. Please see enclosed photos of 'the scene'.

James B.: 4-19-09

On Sat. 4/18, I came home to find my car gone from front of house. .neighbor walked over and said, "a LA PE just towed your car . .we try to stop them but would not listen." I had a PO friend called and he was told my car was towed because my registration was expired .today, I went over w/ proof of registration and they changed the story on me .they claimed my car was parked outside my home for "more than 72hrs". ... mind you there is no sign posted anywhere & no "warning notice" was posted on windshield. I confronted them w/D facts ...they said "we could leave a 'courtesy' note on your windshield but we don't have to" . .apparently my neighbor called to report my car because he has about 8 cars & not enough space on his driveway to park his extra cars and needed "street space" .LAPE could not prove their point but still charged me $300 to release the car . .I can't believe such BS!! And the US Gov. has the nerve to pass judgment on other countries for "corruption" . .we have it right in our own back yards!

Maria: 4-20-09

So sorry SLAPEC for not responding to your comment . .I forgot all about my "gmail" email account :(

It gets even better . .I did filed an appeal and went before the "appeal's board" . .not to bother you with too much detail, after sitting in front of the "board" (whom by the way seemed to be friends w/the officer who towed my car) for about an hour . .they told me "even though I had paid for my registration and my car was "legally parked", they could not reimburse my $300 because I had not completed my smog check . .I told them, "while that is a true fact, I filed an extension and it has not expired yet" .. their reply was "well the extension is a courtesy to you but you are still in violation because you have not provided the smog check paperwork yet" . .the lesson I learned from this ordeal is that, once the government has your money they will do everything in their power not to give it back!!

I have since moved on and use this as another lesson in life . . .

Good day!

Maria: 6-19-09

New one, already. I live in South pasadena & got a "Phantom ticket" in the mail for being parked somewhere where I wasn't - I got 2 of those type of tickets in the mail before from LA, but not since 2001. These lowlives must really need the bread.

No point in disputing, I told them I didn't park there, but we all know city workers are robots programed to say you're wrong, they don't listen, they don't read, and they pass the buck. The woman on the phone did all of the above - even changing her story, and contradicting herself along the way - and sounding like she was enjoying herself.

Most blogs regarding ticket victims say "just pay". That's the society we live in now - get stepped on and accept it. The old days of the led pipe to the knees of the corrupt are long gone. The sad part is, that system worked. Think, we wouldn't have these banking problems if the general population weren't such gullible passive sheep willing to let someone rip them off - there would be blood. My temper is boiled over from so many undeserved setbacks, and can't take another minute of it - so I have to pay all of these fines. I have to resort to sheep mentality to get the corrupt monkeys off my back. Sucks. Another lesson where I learned nothing.

Regards,

JB: 4-23-09

Listen to this outrageous tale. I parked my car underneath a sign that said "2 Hour Parking, Meter Enforced 9 AM to 5 PM, Free Parking All Other Times". I had to run into the bank and it was about 8:30 AM at the time, so I did not fill the meter. Upon returning, there was a parking enforcement officer in the process of filling out a ticket. I pointed out the sign right above my car and the officer checked her watch and agreed with me that there was no cause for a ticket so she tore it up and threw it into the trash. I subsequently had to leave town for about 6 weeks and when I got back, there were a couple of notices in my mail regarding an outstanding parking violation. I wrote up an extensive report including photographs of the sign and pointed out that a ticket would not have been issued to me at 8:55 AM when the rule does not apply until 9:00 AM. They returned my challenge stating that because I had "waited" over 21 days from the citation, I was no longer eligible to challenge my ticket. After 6 months of arguing with them on the phone, I finally paid the $126 that I never should have owed. The point here is that I have these notices with a time of 8:55 AM and I know for a fact the meters do not have to be filled until 9:00 AM. Basically, I guarantee the parking hotline people agree with me but because of a technicality, I ended up getting screwed. This should never happen.

Dan G. : 4-27-09

On 5/23/2009 LA Parking Enforcement ticketed my vehicle that was parked in front of my residence. It was a saturday night, there were no additional no parking signs hung; the only time I cannot park in that space is tuesday mornigns from 8-10 AM. The kicker is that I have an annual parking tag for my neighborhood which doesn't expire until 10/2009. I called PVB to contest it, Their operator refused to take my permit number and was condescending when I said that I wanted to contest the citation. upon demanding it she identified herself as Luce operator #296 "don't know is that was a real answer". I received a letter the other day stating that PVB considers the ticket valid. How I don't know. I have no intention of paying this extortion does anyone have any avenues for fighting this?

Darren S. : 6-2-09

(follow up) I just posted my experience with PVB. No sooner did I send that letter than I got a call from the city, from the department of transportation saying that the ticket is cancelled. When I got the letter from PVB over the weekend saying that I had to pay the fine before I could contest the ticket I went ballistic, instead of breaking something I started writing. Amongst the various groups I emailed were the office(s) of the mayor and the city attorney. In those emails I supplied them with scans of the letter from the PVB as well as photos of my permit and the signs on my street.

Given the quick response and the information the person from the Dept. of Transportation was looking at, she must have gotten that information from one of those two emails.

So, I would say if anyone has a clear cut mis gotten ticket and the PVB is doing nothing, go to their bosses at city hall.

Of course in my email I did drop the E Bomb (what the PVB was trying to do was Extortion, plain and simple)

Hope this helps someone.

Darren S. : 6-2-09

(follow up) I wanted to wait until I had the letter in my hand saying that my ticket was cancelled. If my experience will help others go ahead and post it. I do have to say that I was unhappy dealing with the PVB, however, when the city became involved they were curtious and helpful. For anyone hitting the wall with PVB when they are in the right, go around them and go right to the office of the mayor and the office of the city attorney.

Darren S. : 6-11-09

I would like to add my name to the list with a story as well. My story is simple - I received a parking citation for being parked in a red zone, even though I wasn't. I photographed my car not in the red zone, and sent in the photo to contest the ticket (I would have contested in person, but I was moving back to Nevada 2 days after receiving the ticket and therefore wasn't able to go to the office). They returned a letter saying my appeal had been denied, but did not give me a reason. The photo clearly showed my car not parked in the red zone, so I don't know what the problem could have been that I could correct in a second appeal. Instead, I must pay the $78 that I don't have to a city I don't live in.

Lily S.: 6-15-09

thank you for this site. it is about time the citizens of LA stand up and stop getting pilfered by our own government. i've actually tested this street cleaning nonsense and it is all about the profiteering, they only actually clean the street about half the time. despicable.

Amanda: 6-17-09

Just wanted to thank you for the great site. My car was towed twice for parking violations. I find that LA is the most confusing of cities in the US to park. My wife's car was towed today from a side street in West Hollywood. We paid the meter and noticed the green parking from 8-6PM sign, but there was a red "tow away" sign obscured by a tree branch. I went to inspect the meters near where the car was towed and noticed that there were stickers that were placed on some meter that said no parking after 6PM that was obviously placed by local residents. Many of the stickers were partially removed as well (possibly by the towing companies or parking attendants.)

A few months ago, the car was towed in downtown after 4PM due to a similar obstruction. I wrote a letter to Wendy Greuel a few months back, but did not receive a response.

Are you aware of intentional action by the city/LADOT on using confusing parking signage or not posting valid times on the meters? Would you reccommend a letter to the mayor? Your site should lobby for a citizen's petition to make the city more user friendly and less of a revenue source for the city.

Leon B.: 7-30-09

I've been working at home on my computer for the last year since the magazine publication business has taken a big hit with the economy. I haven't driven my car as much because of the gas prices, and only wash it if I have to be somewhere for work. So, the car was filthy but I still drove my dogs to the dog park late at night 2-3 times a week.

Cut to the main part, I found my car had disappeared from in front of my house at 2.30 this afternoon! At first, I thought the car had been stolen and called the local station, but then my neighbor told me that this one traffic cop, that been looking at my car really closely in the last couple of weeks, got the car towed and impounded at around 12. Apparently, the reason was that I hadn't moved it in 72 hours. My car is registered to a nearby mail box (since mail was getting stolen from time to time last year), but I washed my car day before yesterday and I drove my car late last night. It seems unfair that now I have to pay $248 fee to get the car out with an additional $36 each day! Is there any way to contest this, or sue the lapd for the fees after I get the car out?

Hikari T.: 9-5-09

I had pulled alongside a red curb to let my daughter out of the car, she was going to the bank. I watched her safely go into the bank and as I looked into my side view mirror to look for oncoming traffic so i could pull out, I noticed a parking enforcment guy walk up to my car and block my rear so i couldn't back out. Little did he know that I had enough room to turn my wheels sharply and avoid the Fed Ex truck that was parked in the red ahead of me. I didn't park my car, did not turn the engine off, did not leave my car for a second, but guess what. I got a ticket in the mail for parking in a red zone and acording to the citation, "the vehicle was parked and no one inside"!

Anthony O.: 10-1-09

I have a story I wanted to post but didn\'t see anyway to do it, so I am sending to you.

Reading through the stories on your site, I am on the fence between real frustration and relief that I am not alone. I planned to fight my ticket but I didn't make the time, not to mention I am geographically undesirabe. I moved to Riverside county 8 years ago.

Thanks for doing this.

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I was picking up my daughter from a concert at NOKIA on a Friday night around 10:30PM. I was happy to find an open parking space on Olympic and with a meter that takes credit cards. I wrongly assumed that the meter would list any restrictions. I wrongly asssumed there weren't any restrictions because all the other spaces were filled with cars. It turns out that there was a restriction. It was a limo/taxi zone at that time of night. The sign was several spaces behind my car. I didn't look in that direction. I expected the signs would be near and in view of the parking meter. My mistake using logical thinking.

This seems very wrong and possibly illegal. How can the meter take my payment during a restricted time? Basically I paid to get a parking ticket. Seems worthy of a class action suit.

Jean: 10-31-09

I'm a student at the University of Southern California, and came across your Web site as I was researching for a broadcast story I on which I was working regarding L.A. Parking Enforcement. I believe the following link may be of value, and I would ask that you send it along to anyone interested or involved in your Web site?" submitters and all?" due to its significance. Although this is technically a "student" piece, there is a tremendous amount of pull through various media who are now covering such stories. Still, the more views, the better.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2O6rdy7XuoA

Also, any Tweets would be very much appreciated.

Please, if you have any questions or if I can help you in any way, let me know.

Thank you!

Matt S.: 11-1-09

Recently I heard a complain from a friend who hadn't physically recieved a ticketed but, had recieved a notice saying it had doubled. He was pretty angry about it. The ticket had went up to $500 in a 30 day period.

Well, I was downtown and with my handicap placard pulled over to the curb briefly. The parking enforcment pull near the rear of my vehical just as I was pull off. They never got out or pulled to the front to see my placard. They backed up and left. I received a notice late saying my parking violation had doubled. Luck for me the mail carrier was seen it and wrote a letter to verify the letter came late; however they ignored the letter.

Their argument is that I did not submitt the dispute within the 21 days. Why is that? Because this is the new game. If you are not handed the ticket or it\'s not put onto you vehicle, you never know you have it until the 21 days is up!!then they wait until the ticket doubles before they send you a notice.

I plan on filing a lawsuit.

J. Schuller: 12-2-09

I received a parking ticket for 9/10/09 for expired registration on my car while "supposedly" being parked at 1164 W. 37th Street Los Angeles. I have not been in Los Angeles in 10 years.

G. Behrmann: 1-4-10

I was surprised to see experiences such as mine on your site.

This seems like Due Process Violation or even something worse. To my surprise ( Please read attached internet findings) Los Angeles City Parking Services is issuing tickets to innocents and then threatening to seize their cars. I was a recent victim of their oversight. My car has been parked in San Bernardino, where I live at the same spot since August 2009, due to Engine gasket blow-out. Yet, I was sent notice that in October 2009, I violated code by parking in LA in no-parking zone. They sent me letter during Thanks Giving Holidays and gave me a very less period to appeal, which was denied because they did not receive in time. Recently collection agency threatened to seize my car. $55 ticket in few months has more than doubled to $144.00

After researching on net, I found that I am not alone but many are victim of this Los Angeles parking enforcement system, which makes it impossible to contest citation. I am sending copy of this to the Mayorâ?Ts office and requesting investigation as well as submitting this to a motoristprotectionact.com. If City Govt. starts targeting innocents for their revenue generation schemes, Please advice, what else can be done to stop this?

Tendulkar: 1-25-10

i got parking ticket violation because of meter expires. my question is how can be a meter expires if it is defective and it is very clear that their is an illegal activity here. i contest the city of los angeles and they said my complain was valid and i can refund my 4 quarters that i droped in parking meter.Can i sue the city for this illegal activity

aniceto s.: 1-25-10

You are right, I think the L.A. parking enforcement are a big waste. From how they dont do anything productive to how they encourage you to pay the ticket and not to contest it. I dont have a problem paying a citation when I didnt pay attention to a sign or didnt put enough time on a meter but I got wrongfully cited for \"double parking\". Im not going to let this one go, if I do they will just keep on getting away with it. It really upsets me that I have to waste time on the phone trying to talk to someone and write a complaint but I will. Im glad I found this page, lets me know im not alone

Benjamin: 1-26-10

i am dealing with these people at the moment. I\'m about to go to court and have a hearing over one of there tickets that they slapped me with. They are Nazis and must be stopped! The part of LA i live in, has horrible parking and is what i consider to be a parking trap. in that all the signs and meters are set up in a way that you will get a ticket. No one does anything about it or says anything about it.

Jerry P.: 2-1-10

We live in K-town. 8th and vermont. but i also work near the Grove on Beverly and it's just as bad there. they've changed sundays and saturdays and now they are charging people. They chalk the tires every where in LA and expect people to move there cars every hour? How is that even possible? Now, they send me tickets in the mail because they "were not able to place it on my vehicle"? what kind of crap is that?

Jerry P.: 2-5-10

Today I parked on 9th Street in downtown LA in violation of a sign that said \"Tow Away:7-9am; 3-7pm\" - of course I parked my car there at 8:00 am because I did not double check the sign based on my past experience thinking it was only prohibited in the afternoon (I was wrong). However close to 8:20am I came outside and saw the parking officer was in the middle of writing me a ticket (warranted) but then simultaneously a tow-truck driver was trying to connect my car tho his tow. I told him that I would move my car and said I had to pay $209 there on the spot for my car to be released and that they just do what parking enforcement says because they are hired by the city. So I got a $80 ticket due at a future date & I had to pay $209 for him to diconnect my car from his tow truck. Although the ticket is justified, the tow company was not able to provide any statute or law that says they can make me $209 ($109 is for the tow & $100 is for the city of LA - but the tow company ! charged me both fees) to be able to drive my car away when I am on the spot next to the officer who is not even done writing the parking citation. I understand they have every right to charge me these fees in the event I never showed up and I had to claim my car at a tow lot, but why can they charge me $209 when I am right there? I feel like for all these reasons the entire ticket should be thrown out.

These are the relevant statutes that say you can TOW, but I have found nothing that justifies what they did in my case:

22651(l) VC - Violation of temporary no parking (i.e. construction)

Removal of a vehicle When a vehicle is illegally parked on a highway in violation of a local ordinance forbidding standing or parking and the use of a highway, or a portion thereof, is necessary for the cleaning, repair, or construction of the highway, or for the installation of underground utilities, and signs giving notice that the vehicle may be removed are erected or placed at least 24 hours prior to the removal by a local authority pursuant to the ordinance.

22651(m) VC - Violation of temporary no parking

Removal of a vehicle from wherever the use of the highway, or a portion of the highway, is authorized by a local authority for a purpose other than the normal flow of traffic or for the movement of equipment, articles, or structures of unusual size, and the parking of a vehicle would prohibit or interfere with that use or movement, and signs giving notice that the vehicle may be removed are erected or placed at least 24 hours prior to the removal by a local authority pursuant to the ordinance.

22651(n) VC - No parking - Tow Away Zone

Removal of a vehicle whenever a vehicle is parked or left standing where local authorities, by resolution or ordinance, have prohibited parking and have authorized the removal of vehicles. A vehicle shall not be removed unless signs are posted giving notice of the removal.

22652.6 VC â?" Additional circumstances permitting removal

Removal of any vehicle parked or standing on the streets or highways or from a stall or space of a privately or publicly owned or operated offstreet parking facility within the jurisdiction of the city or county when the vehicle is in violation of a local ordinance or resolution adopted pursuant to Section 22511.57.

DO I HAVE A STRONG CASE? OR IS IT A WASTE OF TIME TO FIGHT THIS? I JUST THINK THE TOWING CHARGE IS LIKE A RIPOFF BAIT LIKE THEY TRY TO CONNECT TO YOUR CAR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE WHILE THE TICKET IS BEING WRITTEN AND THEN WHEN YOU SHOW UP THEY USE YOUR CAR AS RANSOM AND SAY THEY WILL NOT DICONNECT YOUR CAR UNLESS YOU PAY...

M. Cox: 2-18-10

Thanks for getting back to me. The tow truck co. is a private co. who works for the city. The tow truck charges $109 for the tow fee & then $100 city fee (to cover the fact they were called out to ta location/and or paperwork). I also got a $80 fine from the city. So $209 total. I guess my questions is, why is there a $100 city paperwork fee when I already came out to my car when he was not even done towing it. He had his chains connected to my tires, but what is this $100 city fee. I paid by credit card and the receipt says something like "city fee" - but when I called Cartel's Towing they said they had no rule or authority to explain how they are justified to charge me the $109 and $100 fee on site and he simply directed me to go through parking enforcement. I guess it just seems a little unconscionable, especially when I came out to my car when they were not even done writing the ticket. I would understand an extra fee if I had to go to the tow yard and pick up my car, but that was not the case. So I guess I am wondering who can I call to verify whether what they did was justified before wasting time writing an appeal?

M. Cox: 2-23-10

I see that you have been dealing with this issue for several years. Are you any closer to filing a lawsuit? I think the practice of not putting tickets on cars, then not sending the reminder notice so the violation cannot be contested is on the rise. It has happened to me twice in the past six months. Please respond and let me know if I can be of assistance in getting a lawsuit filed. Sorry, I am not an attorney.

Stephany G.: 2-25-10

I don't know if you still get correspondence from this site, but I wanted to share a similarly shocking experience. In short--

I was parked on LaFayette Parkway in downtown LA on a Saturday afternoon. Street cleaning for that particular side of the street was on Monday mornings. I received a parking ticket for Monday street cleaning on that very Saturday afternoon.

I contested it, and they pretended to have conducted a "field investigation," which they later stated did not dismiss my ticket. I made every phone call to every California office that had to do with motorist law, until I was finally given the phone number to the Parking "Adjudicator" of Los Angeles. I left him a message stating the extortion, and he returned my call the next day. He said he'd look into it, and he called within the next two days, saying that the ticket had been dismissed because the ticketing officer had "pressed the wrong button" on his little ticket-making machine.

Can you believe it--PRESSED THE WRONG BUTTON? I think NOT. Because here is the thing: my car wasn't violating any other regulation that day, so there would have been NO reason to approach it to begin with. The officer purposely approached my car and purposely gave me an erroneous ticket he hoped I'd pay.

Disgusting. What can we do?

A. Johnson

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