Monday, May 28, 2007

Memorial Day Tix Surprise

2:30pm. Memorial Day, May 28, 2007. In front of Toys "R" Us, 2795 Richmond Ave. Near the Staten Island Mall.

A woman in her sedan was reading her parking ticket. She had parked in the shopping parking lot. In front of Toys "R" Us. She had went to Best Buy to check out flat screen TVs. Bought a CD. But, when she came back to her sedan, she found a parking ticket waiting for her.

The tix was for an expired inspection sticker. Seven months past, last inspected in 2006. She had no real defense. She thought the inspection sticker was good until 2008. She thought the 2006 on the sticker said 2008.

I advised her to either go online, or by mail, file a defense. "You're an American citizen. You have a right to a hearing. It's written in the U.S. Constitution."

I told her that very likely one of NYC Dept. of Finance's Nazi judges would find her guilty. But, at least, she'll be able to legally push back having to pay it. For about three or four months.

And, usually, the NYC DOF will offer her a reduction. I believe, for a $65 tix, they'll offer to settle out of court for $45. A $20 reduction is not a bad deal.

This is anecdotal evidence to support my claim that more pressure is being put on the police officers posted on Staten Island to fill their quotas. But, instead of en masse, like ninjas.

I've lived near the Staten Island Mall for 22 years. And I've never seen a police officer or a traffic agent write up a ticket inside one of the shopping lots. I've been told it does happen. Even tow aways.

You don't see it. So, you get in the habit of believing it doesn't happen in your neighborhood. Until it happens to you. Of course. Like this lady.

Thank you 122nd precinct!


NYPD 122nd Precinct
2320 Hylan Blvd.
New Dorp, New York. 10306
Tel: (718) 667-2211

Staten Island Ferry Tix Blitz

6:25AM. Sat., May 26, 2007. Richmond County Bank Ballpark, St. George, Staten Island, NY.

Inside lot A of the Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George, three vehicles were ticketed by NYPD. One for a mutilated inspection sticker. The other two for improperly displayed front license plates. One vehicle for using a wire to attach the front plate. The other vehicle had the front plate hanging by one screw only.

Since these three vehicles were parked inside a private parking lot. And not a municipal lot or garage. These tickets are invalid. NYC traffic regulations do not include private parking lots and garages. Therefore, private parking lots and garages are excluded from the "Applicability of Rules" as stated in NYC's traffic rules.

The parking attendant on duty that morning claimed that police officers from, allegedly, the 120th precinct regularly enters the private lot to, allegedly, fill their quota. Since the lot is open access and the parking attendants are too intimidated by the police officers. The attendants do nothing to hinder the officers. The attendants work for Standard Parking, which manages the private parking lots for Richmond County Bank Ballpark.

St. George Ballpark
75 Richmond Terr., S.I., NY
Lic. # 1236246
Office: (718) 273-1072
Parking Lot Manager: Jay, (917) 251-6938

NYPD 120th Precinct
78 Richmond Terrace
St. George, NY 10301
Tel: (718) 876-8500
Community Affairs: (718) 876-8497