I got a ticket for parking in front of my building a few weeks ago (even though a lot of people who live in my condo complex do it. ) There was a court date set for October 5th, at 9:30 am, and I was contemplating going to it to fight the ticket, since I felt receiving it was very unfair. After thinking about it, I decided I would not fight it, and just pay the stupid thing. I put the money in the mail (with a note telling them EXACTLY how I felt about receiving it!) the day after my scheduled hearing.

Wouldn't you know, the very next day I get a letter in the mail from the Mayor's Court. Get this, they wanted to DOUBLE my parking ticket fine. If I didn't pay it by October 20th, I could face the possibility of getting ARRESTED. WTF, get arrested over not paying a stupid parking ticket?????

I was PISSED, but had to wait until today to call, since I received the parking ticket on Friday. The Court is closed on Saturdays, and they were also closed yesterday because they were a government office that was closed for Columbus Day.

Today, I got up all the nerve I could muster, and I called them. I told them my name and the date of the ticket. I also explained why I paid the ticket a little late (because I was contemplating going to the court hearing, but decided not to, and put the money in the mail right away). I told them, "I paid the ticket; and I wasn't too happy receiving this letter! I'm a decent citizen, and I pay my bills!" I also told them that because there was no mail delivery Saturday or Monday (due to Columbus Day) that it took a little longer, and that certainly they must have the payment by now. The lady asked me my name, and I spelled it for her. She looked and told me that they had received my payment today (well, yeah, duhhhhh). I then asked her, "So what do I do about this letter? Can I disregard it?" She said, "Yes", to which I said, "Thank you, thank you very much!"

Go me!
Go me!
Go me!
Go me!

I'm so glad I called and told them what was up. I can't believe that they're making such a damn fuss over a stupid ass parking ticket. WTF, do they have nothing else to do or what? The cops where I live are tough, shit, I've seen them pull over someone just because their skin color is not white (which is total bullshit!). They seem to make a big deal out of the most stupidest of things. But the ticket is now paid, so I can sit back and relax. I tell ya, I was VERY upset receiving the stupid thing. It was a little thing that they tried to make me feel like a hardened criminal over. One thing I've learned, NEVER park in front of my building, no matter how heavy a box I have to take up to my apartment.

rant over

Sometimes police officers are just plain bored, I think.

When I was in college at Winona, MN, I went biking after work (11pm) with my wife and a friend of ours, and I got pulled over on my bike for no apparent reason that I could fathom.

psychodelicide said:

rules are what keep society in order. next time, park legally!

TMPletz said:

WTF?? That cop must have been bored! Sheesh! Did he give you a ticket?

I would of fought it

psychodelicide said:

No, but he told me that I should have lights on my bicycle for riding at night.

purplerein said:

Well, I would not have been so upset about getting the ticket if I did not see other people parked in front of the building (illegally) too. I see it all the damn time, and it seems like they NEVER get ticketed. I even told the cop who gave me the ticket, "If you're going to give me a ticket, you need to give EVERYONE a ticket who parks illegally. I see people parking in front of the building all the time!" He agreed with me, but gave me a ticket anyway (you would think after I said that, that he would have let me off with just a warning, but nooooo. People park illegally on top of a hill right in the roadway, and you can't even see around them and have to crane your neck to see if there's anyone coming in the opposite direction (very, very dangerous!).

luv4u said:

I honestly thought about it, but decided I didn't feel like taking the time off from work to do it. Besides, knowing that police force, they would have found a reason why I was in the wrong anyway (that's how they are!).

TMPletz said:

Lord have mercy!

(((((Psy)))))

Sorry this had you stressed all weekend

Just a couple things to note tho...

1. Try not to take it personally, government offices just send out standard form letters for pretty much everything - they don't know what a wonderful person you are - or they surely would have replaced the ticket with a free pass to park anywhere you damn well please

2. Be sure to keep a record that you paid this (cancelled cheque). I've paid parking tickets and have had letters sent back to me YEARS after saying that I had not - government agencies are consistent in the fact that they are INCOMPETANT hahah

Now go treat yourself to a mocha frappacino or a strawberry/banana milkshake - something u like, cause you deserve it just for being you!

psychodelicide said:

I think it is unfair that they randomly pick one person to penalize while a handful of other people that are disobeying the rules get away with it.
I am happy that you cleared up your problem with those people.
My parents also got picked on in the gated community they live for parking their cars outside their garage. The neighbor to the left side is a member of the board and she parks her car wherever she wants and has never gotten a warning or a ticket.