Parking Ticket Fighter

My Prediction Almost Comes True

2009-05-24T12:49:00.000-07:00

May 23, 2009, NY1 News:
"Bronx Man Arrested For Hit-And-Run Of Traffic Enforcement Agent"
by NY1 News

May 23, 2009, NY Post:
"TICKET AGENT MOWED DOWN"
by Philip Messing and Larry Celona

May 25, 2009, NY Post:
"TRAFFIC AGENT ON MEND AFTER BRONX MOWDOWN"
by Matthew Nestel

My prediction almost came true this Fri., May 22, 2009, in the Bronx. A driver ran to his double-parked auto. Where a female NYPD traffic agent appeared to issue him a summons.

Either by accident or on purpose, he ran over her. Breaking both of her legs.

As reported by NY1 News, the traffic agent was taken to a hospital and is recovering.

The driver is under arrest.

Since the end of last year, 2008, I have been telling people that at least one NYPD traffic agent will be murdered by an enraged driver this year, 2009.

Because all the ingredients are already in the pot. Massive unemployment, massive home foreclosures, just recently the signs of hyper-inflation, and intense pressure on traffic agents to hit their ticket quotas.

It all adds up to a huge powder keg ready to explode at any time.

A car is a very deadly weapon when the driver is griped by temporary insanity.

If you have ever found one of those $%#! nasty orange envelopes under your windshield wiper, you know what I'm talking about. You want to lash out with your words and your fists and feet. However, your better judgment normally prevents you from acting like a crazy person.

Sad to say, not everyone has their better judgment turned on all the time. To quote Gerald Celente, "When people lose everything, they just lose it."

As far as I'm concerned, Mayor Mike already has blood on his hands. Using parking tickets as a cash cow is morally and legally wrong. And knowingly putting men and women in harms way to make a buck is completely despicable.

I'd rather deal with a Somali pirate than with Mayor Mike and his parking Nazis.

May the Lord Almighty have mercy on Mayor Mike's soul.

NYPD Traffic Division Calls

2009-05-21T13:37:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the long delay in posts. My apologies.

Anyway, this morning, Thur., May 21, 2009, at 9am, guess who calls my cell #? And leaves me a message to call her back.

Ronda [not her real name], a NYPD traffic division supervisor.

After about ten minutes, I call her back. I get not Ronda but one of their operators. I talk to her for a minute. Then Ronda picks up.

She had called to inform me that they are investigating my claim that one of their traffic agents had issued bogus tickets.

Of course, I don't believe anything she tells me. But out of politeness I humor her as best as I can.

I'm sure after a few weeks I'll receive a bogus form letter from the NYPD traffic division telling me that nothing improper occurred. My claim of official misconduct was just my crazy imagination.

Hey, when the foxes are guarding the hen house, what do you think is going to happen to all the hens?

We talk about ticket quotas for a bit. She says it's a projection not a quota. Of course, they will never say it's a quota. Because ticket quotas are illegal according to NY state law.

So, if I rob a bank, and I call it "borrowing" and not robbing. Then I should be able to use that defense in court and walk out a free man. Right?

It must be easy working for the city. Federal and NY state laws don't apply. You can do anything you want. All you have to do is call it something else.

What a bunch of $#%! doublespeak!

My greatest wish is to see our charisma-deficient Mayor Mike and all his parking Nazis tarred and feathered and run out of town forever.

The Old School Tape Recorder

2009-04-16T06:19:00.000-07:00

Today, in the 21st century, when parking ticket victims go to fight their tickets, their live hearings are recorded by a computer on a network. The networked computer replaced the old school audio cassette tape recorder. Which the judge would press a record button on the tape recorder to record the live hearing.

It was in full sight of the judge and the victim. You knew a record of your hearing was being made.

Now that a computer has replaced the old tape recorder. The NYC Dept. of Fraud never explains to the victims that an audio record of your live hearings exist. Most victims are totally unaware that this very helpful resource exists. Which they could use to fight their bogus parking tickets. Even after having been found guilty.

Which brings us to Dave's parking ticket fighting story.

The assistant manager at my day job, Dave, told me one of his parking ticket fighting stories when he lived and drove in NYC. When he was a younger single man. Now he lives in NJ with his wife and three kids.

Some time in the 1990s he fought a bogus ticket at a live hearing. In those ancient times, there was an old school tape recorder on the desk of the judge. Who would in full sight press the record button before the start of your live hearing.

Dave used the same exact tactic I advise others to do. Demand a copy of the tape of your live hearing. Which he did.

He was found guilty at his live hearing by some Nazi judge. So he demanded a copy of the tape.

And guess what? His ticket was dismissed, and he was refunded in full.

He didn't understand why his ticket was dismissed. He was just happy to get his money back.

He never put 2 and 2 together. Until I explained it to him. And I thought he was a pretty sharp guy. Go figure.

Warning! More Red Light Cameras Ahead

2009-04-07T17:55:00.000-07:00

PTF: "Warning! Warning! More red light cameras ahead."

April 7, 2009, NY Post:
"NEW SPY CAMS TO STOP TRAFFIC"
by Tom Namako

April 6, 2009, 1010WINS:
"New York To Expand Use of Red Light Traffic Cameras"
by the Associated Press

Parking Tix in the News

2009-04-02T05:52:00.000-07:00

PTF: "Are parking ticket fighters in Boston smarter than the PTFs in NYC? Of course, not. PTFs in Boston have unbiased and neutral parking ticket judges. We in NYC have to deal with Nazi traffic agents and Nazi judges."

Mar. 29, 2009, The Boston Globe:
"With the Proper Appeal, Parking Ticket May Go Away"
by Peter DeMarco

PTF: "Here are the numbers. Boston issued 771,531 tickets during the last half of 2008. Parking ticket fighters fought 56,838 tickets. The City of Boston's Parking Ticket Department dismissed 36,849 out of the 56,838 tickets. Or 65%."

Park Tix Alert!

2009-03-25T08:24:00.000-07:00

More details to come.

This Tue., March 24, 2009, one of my many spies caught a NYPD traffic agent hit 2 vehicles with bogus parking tickets. Between about 7:30am and 7:45am. She was an African-American, full-figured.

The crime scene was 23th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenue, the walkway near the School of Visual Arts. There is a parking sign, NO STANDING 8am to 6pm.

The alleged suspect was caught sticking the bogus tickets, not under the windshield wipers, but in a crevice on the side of the vehicles. My spy saw 2 tickets on 2 different autos fly away as other vehicles passed by. My spy asked her: "Don't you see the tickets blew away." My spy claimed she just shrugged it off. It seems that she didn't care at all.

I suspect the 2 tickets were completely bogus. Probably, they were NO STANDING tickets. She illegally issued NO STANDING tickets to 2 victims. When in fact their vehicles were legally parked. They had until 8am to park there. But she issued the tickets early.

She didn't want the drivers to find them. So, she placed them on the vehicles. So that the wind would blow them away for her.

Parking Tix in the News

2009-03-19T08:33:00.000-07:00

PTF: "It's good to be a VIP. Free for them on our dime."

Mar. 15, 2009, NY Post:
"STATE BIGS TAKE NYERS FOR A RIDE"
by Melissa Klein

PTF: "Why does Mayor Mike and his parking Nazis keep insisting there have never been and never will be ticket blitzes?"

Mar. 14, 2009, NY Post:
"CITY'S $1M 'CAR CELL' HAUL"
by John Doyle and Jennifer Fermino

PTF: "When the criminals run the courts, there is no crime."

Mar. 13, 2009, NY Daily News:
"Ethics Panel OKs 15 Politicians' Use of Public Cars for Personal, Political Purposes in the City"
by Frank Lombardi, Daily News City Hall Bureau

PTF: "Fair and neutral judges my ass they are. More like Nazi judges."

Mar. 10, 2009, Fox 5 News:
"Fox 5 Investigates: Rushed Parking Ticket Judges?"
by John Deutzman

Parking Tix in the News

2009-03-08T14:36:00.000-07:00

PTF: "It doesn't help you at all with parking tickets. But, if it helps you beat red light cameras, speed traps, and DWI checkpoints, then it's worth every penny."

Mar. 8, 2009, NY Post:
"GPS FOR SCOFFLAWS"
by Angela Montefinise

PTF: "Mayor Mike and his parking Nazis are working overtime with all their bag of tricks."

Mar. 6, 2009, 1010WINS:
"The 'Hidden Hydrant' Strikes Again - Another Driver Pays the Price"
by John Montone, 1010 WINS

PTF: "Sorry. No mercy for parents and their kids."

Mar. 3, 2009, NY Daily News:
"Ticket Blitz Riles Red Apple Parents"
by Lisa L. Colangelo

Parking Tix Judge Can't Answer Sign Question

2009-03-04T10:55:00.000-08:00

Listen to my live hearing at http://www.box.net/shared/xmnnc881q8
Download the MP3 file or stream it. Enjoy.

This morning I had a live hearing with NYC Dept. of Finance ALJ (administrative law judge) Kevin G. O'Keeffe. At the S.I. Business Center at 350 St. Marks Place, Staten Island, NY 10301. I was there to fight a bogus "No Standing" ticket for my friend Eddie.

Eddie was slapped with a "No Standing" ticket at 10:03am on Wed., Feb. 18, 2009, according to the summons. Eddie claimed the parking sign was confusing. He took photos, and I reviewed them.

After my review, I had to agree with Eddie. This "No Standing" sign is a blatant ticket trap. Please, check out the sign below.

The top of the sign says: NO STANDING 11PM-6AM. But the bottom of the sign says: NO STANDING 10PM-MIDNIGHT.

Even a person with half a brain would agree this sign was designed to create confusion. The top and the bottom parts do not agree on the start time for the NO STANDING zone.

Why don't both the top and the bottom both begin with NO STANDING 10PM-? Because that would mean less cars ticketed and towed. Less revenue for Mayor Mike and his parking Nazis.

Who does the top part apply for? Where does the NO STANDING 11PM-6AM apply? Judge, can you, please, explain to me who for and where the top part applies?

These were the questions I asked ALJ Kevin G. O'Keeffe.

Please, listen to my live hearing at http://www.box.net/shared/xmnnc881q8

ALJ O'Keeffe claimed that he clearly explained the sign to me. But I'm still confused. I still don't know what his answer was to my simple question. For who and where does the NO STANDING 11PM-6AM apply?

Can you understand his answer?

Lastly, ALJ O'Keeffe said he saw 3 signs not 1 sign. He couldn't understand why I was confused by the NO STANDING 11PM-6AM sign. According to him, why can't I see the NO STANDING 10PM-MIDNIGHT sign. And forget about the other sign.

Take common sense and logic. Throw out window. Now you too can be a NYC parking ticket judge.

Parking Tix in the News

2009-03-02T09:01:00.000-08:00

PTF: "Parking laws should apply to all. Fair is fair."

Mar. 1, 2009, NY Daily News:
"It's Officials: The Three Worst Parking Offenders Enforce Law"
by Jeff Wilkins and Elizabeth Hays, Daily News Writers

Mar. 1, 2009, NY Daily News:
"Downtown Brooklyn Is Place for Parking Placard and Permit Abuse"
by Jeff Wilkins, Sarah R. Kaufman and Elizabeth Hays, Daily News Writers

Traffic Agents in the News

2009-02-15T18:11:00.000-08:00

PTF: "Drivers are mad as hell. The economy is in the toilet. Millions of people have lost their jobs. Millions have already lost their homes. The last slap in the face that makes people snap is seeing some $%@! traffic agent slapping a bogus parking ticket on their car. Of course, that's no excuse for violence. Please, redirect your anger into social activism."

Jan. 29, 2009, NY Post:
"NYPD DAILY BLOTTER"
by Jamie Schram and John Doyle

Brooklyn

A traffic agent issuing a parking ticket was pelted with green peppers by the vehicle's owner in Borough Park, authorities said yesterday.

The agent issued the summons because the car was blocking the crosswalk at 13th Avenue and 38th Street at around 10:40 a.m. Sunday, cops said.

Suddenly, Ale Elawar, 43, dashed out of a nearby store and screamed, "You are not putting a f- - -ing ticket on my vehicle," sources said.

Elawar then dumped a container of peppers on the agent's jacket and drove off , authorities say.

The agent gave Elawar's registration information to a cop, who contacted the pepper head.

Two days later, Elawar surrendered and was charged with menacing and obstructing governmental administration.

Jan. 25, 2009, NY Post:
"NYPD DAILY BLOTTER"
by John Doyle

Queens

A traffic agent was hospitalized after an ugly confrontation with a motorist in Bayside.

Victor Argurello-Adams, 47, was inside a store on Bell Boulevard near 208th Place shortly after 10:30 a.m. Jan. 19, when he spotted the traffic agent standing near his parked car writing a summons.

Argurello-Adams ran out of the store and charged towards the agent, slamming him in the face with his forearm, according to court papers.

The agent was treated at an area hospital.

Adams was charged with assault and harassment, authorities said.

Jan. 3, 2009, NY Post:
"NYPD DAILY BLOTTER"
by Tatiana Deligiannakis and John Doyle

Queens

A livery cab driver was busted after he plowed his car into a traffic agent's vehicle while trying to escape a ticket in Corona, authorities said.

Miguel Reinoso, 57, was parked at 103rd Street and Roosevelt Avenue Wednesday morning when a traffic agent with a ticket scanner approached his car, police said.

Reinoso tried driving away in an attempt to avoid the ticket, but slammed into the traffic agent's car parked nearby, police said.

He was charged with criminal mischief, obstructing governmental administration, attempted assault and harassment, according to a spokesman for DA Richard Brown.

Dec. 11, 2008, NY Post:
"NYPD DAILY BLOTTER"
by Tatiana Deligiannakis

Queens

An Astoria man was arrested after threatening a traffic agent and kicking her car door as she wrote him a ticket, police said.

Sypros Markos, 42, confronted the agent on 29th Street near Broadway last Thursday morning, cops said.

"Look at my eyes and remember my face, I'm going to teach you lesson," said Markos, according to a criminal complaint.

As the agent entered her car, Markos kicked the driver-side door, police said.

He was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, harassment and attempted criminal mischief, according to a spokesman for DA Richard Brown.

Dec. 7, 2008, NY Post:
"NYPD DAILY BLOTTER"
by Philip Messing

Queens

A motorist accused of talking on her cellphone while behind the wheel and double-parked was arrested after she bumped a traffic agent in Jackson Heights and drove off, authorities said.

Agent Karim Green spotted Filomena Newman, 42, double-parked in her 1998 Mazda on Roosevelt Avenue at 2:05 p.m. on Nov. 29 as she was chatting on her cell, according to a spokesman for DA Richard Brown.

When Green walked up to the car, Newman put down the phone, but the agent put up his hands in a "don't move" gesture, according to a criminal complaint.

Instead, Newman hit the gas and struck Green in the right knee with the car's front bumper, authorities said.

Newman was "shouting and screaming that she was not double-parked and was waiting for a friend," according to the court document.

A second woman jumped into the car and Newman drove off, cops said.

She was busted later that day and arraigned on charges of assault and leaving the scene of an accident.

Parking Tix Scam Alert!

2009-02-11T17:34:00.000-08:00

This Mon. a co-worker at my day job told me about a parking tix scam I've never heard of before. Of course, parking tickets per se is a scam. But he was talking about a scam perpetrated by a driver against other drivers.

My co-worker was telling me that he knows someone who is saving a lot of money and hassles with his very simple and clever parking tix scam. Whenever a parking Nazi slaps a parking tix on his auto, he just takes it and slaps it on someone else's car.

Apparently, the someone else will either pay it or fight to have it dismissed. This wiseguy, of course, checks online to see if his ticket was paid or dismissed in a timely fashion.

Seems like there's a lot of ignorant drivers out there. Don't people check to make sure the plate # on the summons matches their vehicle's plate #?

So, pay attention. Check the summons "issued" to your car for accuracy. If the plate # on the summons isn't your vehicle's plate #, then you don't have to pay it or have to fight it.

Just throw it away.

But, as a precaution, do check online either once a month or every 2 weeks for any parking tickets issued to your plate #. I learned to make weekly check-ups online the hard way.

Go to http://nycserv.nyc.gov/NYCServInquiry/NYCSERVMain

Parking Tix in the News

2009-02-11T17:26:00.000-08:00

PTF: "It's a national phenomenon. Municipalities have fallen on hard times. And have decided to flush the driving public's American rights down the toilet. Driver's beware. Police officers and traffic agents are coming after you. To shake you down for all the cash you've got."

Feb. 10, 2009, FOXNews.com:
"Speeding, Parking Tickets on Rise as Government Revenue Source"
by Joshua Rhett Miller

Parking Ticket Fighting Secret Technique

2009-02-08T14:58:00.000-08:00

If my memory serves me, from 2005 to 2007, I fought 14 bogus parking tickets at live hearings and 1 online. To make a long story short, I fought a total of 15 fake tickets. 14 were dismissed. Any money I paid the NYC Dept. of Fraud (a.k.a. the NYC Dept. of Finance) was eventually refunded. I have one ticket left to fight.

It was 2 years of trial and error. I will not bore you with all the details. The most important lesson that I want to pass along to you is my parking ticket fighting secret technique. Fight your parking tickets at a live hearing with a hidden voice recorder. Record the 100% BS the #$%! Nazi judge (an ALJ or administrative law judge) throws into your face. This is the only real bargaining chip you'll ever have over the NYC Dept. of Fraud.

By their own rules, each live hearing is supposed to be recorded. And, for a nominal fee, you can order a copy of the audio record (actually, an old school cassette tape) of your live hearing. But just try to get it. It's an almost mission impossible.

It's likely that the equipment isn't even turned on for your live hearing. Or the Dept. of Fraud will lie and claim they lost it. In either case, no audio record for you. So, you have to record it yourself. Preferably you'll bring 2 voice recorders.

With your own recording of your live hearing, analyze what the ALJ said. Did he or she logically and clearly address all parts of your defense? Did he or she say anything unprofessional or illogical or just plain crazy? Did it seem like he or she wasn't really listening to anything you had said? In short, pick out 1 or 2 juicy sound bites that you can use against the Dept. of Fraud.

The Dept. of Fraud everyday commits fraud against drivers. But does it want the news media to broadcast their crimes? Of course, not. This is the weakness you can exploit. Threaten to expose their Nazi judges.

The payoff is that now the Dept. of Fraud will treat you like a real person with real rights. In my case, the last bogus ticket I beat was dismissed by the Dept. of Fraud after 5 business days. Which is the fastest that the DOF can possibly process it through their system.

Parking Tix in the News

2009-02-08T14:31:00.000-08:00

PTF: "It's good to be a VIP in Albany (the capitol of New York state). Your parking tickets result in zero fines if your plate number is on a secret VIP list."

Feb. 6, 2009, Times Union:
"Tickets? VIP Shields Elite"
by Branden J. Lyons, Senior Writer

Feb. 6, 2009, amNY.com:
"Report: Albany Officials Got Parking Ticket Breaks"

PTF: "A relatively old TV news segment from 2008 that I stumbled upon. But very relevant still. TV news reporter Peter Thorne looked really pissed off about bogus parking tickets. I liked that."

Nov. 5, 2008, WPIX11:
"Fact Finders: Fighting Bogus Parking Tickets"
reported by Peter Thorne

Parking Tix in the News

2009-01-26T05:50:00.000-08:00

PTF: "It's good to be a VIP in NYC. So, where's my reserved parking spot? Mayor Mike."

Jan. 26, 2009, NY Daily News:
"Still Lots of Parking Spots for Big Shots, Despite Mayor Bloomberg's Cuts"
by Erin Einhorn, Daily News City Hall Bureau

Drivers Against Fraud Update

2009-01-26T05:26:00.000-08:00

Please, help the below pending legislation in the NYC Council become local law. Write, e-mail, and/or call your NYC Council member. Stop the stealing and lying.

If you do not know who your NYC Council member is, then visit http://council.nyc.gov/html/members/members.shtml

Int 0886-2008 History
Requiring traffic agents to photograph all ticketable offenses and include a copy of the photograph with each notice of violation.
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring traffic agents to photograph all ticketable offenses and include a copy of the photograph with each notice of violation.

PTF: "Requiring photos will not prevent all bogus tickets. But, at least, it's a good start."

Int 0907-2009 History
Establishing a grace period for certain parking violations.
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to establishing a grace period for certain parking violations.

PTF: "Grace periods are an urban legend. Too many un-informed drivers still believe in the 'grace period.' But this year we can make it a reality."

Parking Tix in the News

2009-01-25T14:27:00.000-08:00

PTF: "This NY Times report confirms what I had long suspected. Mayor Mike and his thugs have rigged the system against drivers."

Jan. 24, 2009, NY Times:
"Fighting Parking Tickets Gets Tougher"
by Jo Craven McGinty and Ralph Blumenthal

Parking Tix in the News

2009-01-21T08:33:00.000-08:00

PTF: "Guess what? Mayor Mike, he don't want no stinkin' 5-minute grace period. I'm not surprised."

Jan. 21, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Bloomy Alone vs. Ticket Grace Time as 5-minute Rule Gains Support"
by Dorian Block, Daily News Staff Writer

PTF: "The NYC Dept. of Fraud strikes out again. Great job, Mr. Deutzman."

Jan. 19, 2009, Fox 5 News:
"Fox 5 Investigates: Confusing Ticket Letter"
by John Deutzman

Parking Tix in the News

2009-01-16T17:30:00.000-08:00

PTF: "My apologies for the long delay. Blame the 2008 Xmas Holidays. Lots of new parking tix news to review."

Dec. 16, 2008, NY1 News:
"NY1 For You: Driver Fights Allegedly Unfair Parking Ticket For Months"
by Susan Jhun

Dec. 19, 2008, NY Post:
"POL WANTS PIX TO BACK PARKING TIX"
by Tom Namako, Transit Reporter

Dec. 23, 2008, NY1 News:
"NY1 For You: New Law May Curb Unwarranted Parking Tickets"
by Susan Jhun

Jan. 1, 2009, NY Times:
"City Will Slash That Parking Fine, if You Ask"
by Jo Craven McGinty and Ralph Blumenthal

Jan. 2, 2009, WABC:
"How to Get a Parking Ticket Reduced"
by Phil Lipof

Jan. 6, 2009, NY Post:
"KRIS KRINGLE FIGHTS BACK! BALKS AT PARKING TICKET"
by Greg Hanlon, yournabe.com

Jan. 11, 2009, NY Times:
"New York City Council Seeks Grace Period for Parking Violations"
by Fernanda Santos

Jan. 12, 2009, NY Post:
"COUNCIL TARGETS 'GOTCHA!' TIX"
by Sally Goldenberg

Jan. 12, 2009, NY Post:
"PLACARD BLITZ NAILS DA COPS"
by David Seifman, City Hall Bureau Chief

PTF: "The accompanying JPEG is at http://www.nypost.com/seven/01122009/photos/news006.jpg"

Jan. 12, 2009, WNYC:
"Bloomberg Blasts Parking Grace Period"
by Kathleen Horan

PTF: "Now for an odd parking tix news item. The dogs of NYC gov are eating each other."

Jan. 13, 2009, UPI.com:
"Fireman Fined After Blocking Hydrant"

PTF: "Now back to more serious parking tix news from NY1."

Jan. 13, 2009, NY1 News:
"NY1 For You: Mystery Official Orders Wrongful Bronx Towing"
by Susan Jhun

Parking Tix in the News

2008-09-02T11:06:00.000-07:00

Aug. 31, 2008, WCBS-TV:
"NYPD Arrests Suspected Parking Meter Thief"
by Dave Carlin, CBS 2 News reporter

PTF: "This guy, Maurice Mizrahi, is my new hero. He did want I've always wanted to do. That is, destroy some of those armless bandits. Yes, he did it to steal money from the meters. But the result was free parking spaces for the everyman. Thank you, Maurice."

Parking Tix in the News

2008-08-21T06:43:00.000-07:00

PTF: "Nice perks. Maybe I should run for NYC Council? Where do I sign up?"

Aug. 15, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Councilmen with Own Parking Spaces Spent NYC Money on MetroCards, Cabs"
by Kathleen Lucadamo, Daily News City Hall Bureau

Aug. 14, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Mike KOs Pol Parking Privileges"
by Erin Einhorn and Frank Lombardi, Daily News City Hall Bureau

Parking Tix in the News - Update

2008-07-10T06:39:00.000-07:00

PTF: "More good news."

July 10, 2008, NY Post:
"NYPD'S PARKING-PERK BLITZ BAGS 1,000 COPS"
by Murray Weiss, NY Post Criminal Justice Editor

See a chart of the breakdown of offenders.

Parking Tix in the News - Update

2008-06-21T09:18:00.000-07:00

PTF: "I don't believe it."

Jan. 15, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Number of Parking Tickets Dropped in '07"
by Bob Kappstatter, Daily News Bronx Bureau Chief

Parking Tix in the News - Update

2008-06-20T06:51:00.000-07:00

PTF: "More news, not good, of course."

June 20, 2008, NY Post:
"IT'S 'EXHAUST'ING"
by Pilar Conci and Hasani Gittens

June 20, 2008, NY Post:
"TICKET TO JAIL OVER 'ASSAULT'"
by Kyle K. Murphy and Peter Cox

June 20, 2008, NY Post:
"NEW 'BLOCK THE BOX' $OCK"
by Fredric Dicker

Parking Tix in the News - Update

2008-06-18T08:59:00.000-07:00

PTF: "My apologies for the long delay in updates."

June 18, 2008, 1010WINS:
"NYPD to Crack Down on Illegal Parking Today"
by 1010 WINS
Complete Article: The New York Police will conduct an illegal parking crackdown today, the second in three months.
About 150 cops and several tow trucks will hold a ticketing and towing blitz in lower Manhattan, targeting illegally parked cars and those with fake parking placards, according to a police source.
Police Commissioner Ray Kelly warned drivers against using face placards during a radio show on Monday.

June 15, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Jackson Heights Angry as City's Parking Ticket Capital"
by Nicholas Hirshon, Jeff Wilkins and Rich Schapiro, Daily News Staff Writers

PTF: "Go to this link http://www.nydailynews.com/img/2008/06/15/graf_parking-map.gif to see a chart of where the most and the least parking tickets were issued by police precincts."

Parking Tix in the News - Update

2008-05-16T05:48:00.000-07:00

In no particular order.

May 16, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Traffic Enforcer Says Officer Beat Him Bloody for Parking Summons"
by John Marzulli, Daily News Staff Writer

Parking Tix in the News - Update

2008-05-02T05:48:00.000-07:00

In no particular order.

May 2, 2008, NY Post:
"'TIX BLITZ' FAKERS GET WRIST SLAP"
by Leonard Greene

Driving Politicians in the News

2008-05-02T05:39:00.000-07:00

News about politicians and their rides in the news.

May 2, 2008, NY1 News:
"Fossella's Blood Alcohol Was Twice Legal Limit"

May 2, 2008, NY Post:
"POLS GET FREE RIDE"
by David Seifman, City Hall Bureau Chief

May 1, 2008, WCBS-TV:
"S.I. Congressman Fossella To Explain DWI Arrest"
reported by Magee Hickey

May 1, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Staten Island Rep Vito Fossella Apologizes After DUI Bust"
by James Gordon Meek, Melissa Grace and Corky Siemaszko, Daily News Staff Writers

May 1, 2008, NY Daily News:
"NYC Congressman Charged with DWI Outside DC"
by Matthew Barakat, Associated Press Writer

May 1, 2008, NY1 News:
"S.I. Congressman Arrested For DWI"

Parking Tix in the News - Update

2008-05-01T05:17:00.000-07:00

In no particular order.

May 1, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Thousands of Cops Lose Parking Permits"
by Adam Lisberg, Daily News City Hall Bureau

PTF: "More potential clients for me."

May 1, 2008, WCBS-TV:
"No More Free Parking For 25,000 NYC Employees"
by Associated Press

PTF: "Finally. This should have happened a long time ago."

May 1, 2008, NY Post:
"'PARK' ABUSE CURBED"
by David Seifman, City Hall Bureau Chief

PTF: "No more parking permits. No more parking perks for city employees."

Conge$t Tax in the News - Update

2008-04-29T05:52:00.000-07:00

In no particular order.

April 29, 2008, NY1 News:
"DOT Announces New Program To Cut Down Traffic"

April 29, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Congestion Pricing Plan Was a Regressive Tax on Bronxites"
by Ruben Diaz Jr.

April 29, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Drivers Fume Over $4 Gas, But Pump On"
by Lisa L. Colangelo, Daily News Staff Writer

April 29, 2008, NY Post:
"TRAFFIC BLIGHT: CONGESTION TOPS CITY WOES: POLL"
by Matthew Nestel and Rita Delfiner

April 29, 2008, 1010WINS:
"NYC Puts Out New Traffic Congestion Plan"
by Associated Press

April 28, 2008, WNYC New York Public Radio:
"City Looks to Ease Traffic Woes"
by Matthew Schuerman

Parking Tix = Hidden Tax

2008-04-18T09:41:00.000-07:00

Why does everything cost so much more in Manhattan than on Staten Island? Or any of the other three outer boroughs of NYC, Queens, Bronx, Brooklyn.

Of course, there are many factors that go into the final retail price. Rent, labor, tolls, taxes, advertising, & etc. But I want to, using one specific consumer item, guess-timate how much parking tickets, as a cost of doing business in Manhattan, adds to the cost of that consumer item. In Manhattan.

I have selected the ubiquitous plastic bottle of Coke. The price where I am in Manhattan is $1.50 for a 20 oz. bottle of Coke. Sold by vending machines where I work my day job. Of course, the price may be higher or lower where you are in Manhattan.

For example, how much more does it cost in Manhattan vs. Staten Island?

On Staten Island, one of the Super Stop and Shops is running a special this week on six-packs of 16.9 oz. Coke bottles. Buy 3 six-packs for $9. Which translates into 50 cents per bottle. A huge savings for Staten Island shoppers. 50 cents per 16.9 oz. Coke on S.I. vs. $1.50 per 20 oz. Coke in Manhattan.

So, for $1.50 on S.I., you can get three 16.9 oz. Cokes. For $1.50 in Manhattan, you get a 20 oz. Coke.

Can you imagine how much more it would be with Mayor Mike's stupid conge$t tax? $1.75 or $2 for a 20 oz. Coke. Maybe more depending on where you are in Manhattan.

With numbers two Coke delivery truck drivers gave me, lets do some calculating.

But, please, note that I am here doing mostly guess-timates. I am not claiming my numbers are definitive in any way. I may be short or over by several cents. Please, take my guess-timates with a grain of salt. Thank you.

Let us assume that one Coke delivery truck in one day, making deliveries in Manhattan, is issued 3 double-parking tickets. One double-parking ticket costs $115.

So, that's $115 x 3 = $345/Coke truck/day. For each Coke truck, each day on average, it collects $345 worth of parking tickets.

How much does that work out for each 20 oz. Coke bottle? One Coke delivery truck delivers on average 60 cases in one day in Manhattan.

One case = 24 bottles of 20 oz. Coke. So, 1 Coke truck x 60 cases x 24 bottles = 1,440 bottles.

Now, lets divide the total of the tickets collected by one Coke truck by the total number of Coke bottles that it delivered in the same day it collected its tickets.

Tickets $345 / Bottles 1,440 = 24 cents/bottle/day. So, for each 20 oz. Coke bottle, it's share of the tickets is 24 cents.

But. Of your $1.50 for that 20 oz. Coke you bought in Manhattan, 24 cents does not go toward paying parking tickets. In reality, about a nickel (5 cents) out of the $1.50 goes to pay off parking tickets.

One of the two Coke delivery truck drivers I had talked to said that last year the company's trucks were issued $2.2 million total in parking tickets. However, the company has a full-time parking ticket fighter who goes to court and fights and fights and fights. As a result, $2.2 million was reduced to $500,000 in actual fines paid.

So, you're paying for their full-time tix fighter and their reduced fines. $500,000 + full-time salary = $550,000 maybe. Which roughly translates into a nickel a Coke bottle.

Of course, for you, a nickel a bottle isn't a lot of money. However. If you add up all the products and services you consume in Manhattan, then all those nickels and dimes add up to maybe $50 or up to a $100 per year. Staying in the conservative ballpark.

That's a hidden tax you pay to play in Manhattan. For the other four boroughs, your hidden tax is smaller. Of course. Maybe $25 or up to $50 a year. Staying in the conservative ballpark.

$25 a year or up to $100

If we look at that nickel per Coke bottle from the delivery truck drivers point of view. Then the parking tickets are a big deal. Because the company used the expense of all the parking tickets as a reason to limit their wage increase in their last contract.

One of the Coke delivery guys I talked told me that last year their parking tickets totaled $2 million. Which their full-time parking ticket fighter reduced to $500,000 last year.

As a result of all the parking tickets the company had to fight and the reduced tix it ended up paying, the Coke delivery guys' pay increase was a tiny 1.1% in their last contract negotiations.

Their current contract, the Coke delivery guys are not happy campers, to say the least.

What I find really disturbing is the "We can't do anything about it" attitude that one of the Coke delivery guys espoused. That made me really sad. The NYC Dept. of Fraud and their thugs essentially stole their pay raise. And, while the Coke delivery guys were, of course, angry about it, they felt helpless to do anything about it.

I thought I lived in America. What happened to life, liberty, and the American way?

Conge$t Tax in the News - Update

2008-04-18T05:41:00.000-07:00

April 19, 2008, NY1 News:
"Congestion Pricing May Have A Comeback"

April 19, 2008, NY Post:
"CONGE$TION SCHEME IN THE SHOP"
by Patrick Gallahue

PTF: "Looks like a sequel for Mayor Mike's conge$t tax scam is in the works."

April 18, 2008, WNYC New York Public Radio:
"Congestion Pricing Not Dead, City Says"
by Matthew Schuerman

April 18, 2008, NY Post:
"NYERS CHEER CONGEST-FEE NIX"
by Fredric U. Dicker
Complete Article: New Yorkers are glad that Mayor Bloomberg's $8 congestion fee is dead, a Quinnipiac poll yesterday showed.
Fifty-six percent of suburban voters, 59 percent of city voters - who would have borne much of the brunt of the proposed $8-a-vehicle tax to enter lower Manhattan - and 47 percent of upstate voters opposed the plan.Just 32 percent of all voters, and only 36 percent of city and suburban voters, expressed regret that Bloomberg's plan had been killed last week.

Bogus Parking Ticket Vanishes Mysteriously

2008-04-14T06:25:00.000-07:00

An update of my previous post, "Bogus Parking Ticket: Coincidence or Reprisal?" Published on Tue., April 8, 2008.

To recap, about March 17, 2008, started a war of words with the NYC Dept. of Fraud (a.k.a. the Dept. of Finance), trying to help three victims of bogus parking tickets.

Fri., April 4, 2008. After a routine online check for bogus parking tickets issued to my NY plate # DUP1713. I found a bogus summons issued to my plate #, in Brooklyn, on Mon., March 24, 2008.

Summons #: 1155516485
Issued on: Mon., March 24, 2008; 03:08, am or pm?
Location: At the intersection of W/S Liberty Brooklyn
Code Violation: 21, no parking-street cleaning
Fine: $45
Vehicle Description: 2003 Lexus sedan, color: empty

But my NYS vehicle registration states DUP1713 is a 2006 Honda Pilot, suburban, blue. I wish my NY plate # DUP1713 was a Lexus. I'd be happy with even a 2003 Lexus. Although the Honda Pilot is a good choice.

Mon., April 7, 2008. Filed a hearing-by-Web defense. And e-mailed the NYC DOF.
"What's up fools? What's with the bogus tix? You're all a bunch thieves. Is this payback? Go to hell! A-holes. I don't back down. Long live the fighters! " No, I didn't say that.

Sat., April 12, 2008. After an online check of my hearing status, the NYC DOF's system tells me: "No unpaid parking violations were found for the plate number you have entered. ... " The Dept. of Fraud dismissed my bogus parking ticket ASAP. But without any explanation whatsoever.

Of course, I had printed out a copy of the handwritten summons and the tix details page. For my own records. Just in case the Dept. of Fraud decided to "lose" the evidence. Dismiss the fake tix like it never existed. "What tix? We don't know nothing about no stinking tix."

I want answers. Who issued the ticket? Was it an incredible coincidence? Or was it retaliation? Given all the missing information on the ticket, why was it entered into the NYC DOF's system?

Conge$t Tax in the News - Update

2008-04-11T07:49:00.001-07:00

In on particular order, whatsoever.

April 12, 2008, NY1 News:
"Port Authority Toll Hike Helps Decrease Weekly Traffic"

PTF: "You don't need no stupid conge$t tax scam plan. Toll hikes alone will decrease traffic congestion into the CBD (Central Business District). You don't need a system of cameras and another layer of bureaucracy in Manhattan."

April 10, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Keep Congest Plan Alive, Says Fed Big"
by Pete Donohue, Daily News Staff Writer

PTF: "Can you say, 'Federal conspiracy?'"

Parking Tix in the News - Update

2008-04-09T06:33:00.000-07:00

First, I want to give a shout out to "jj" and "monitor lcd" who were both kind enough to post positive comments about my blog on my blog. Thank you, "jj" and "monitor lcd."

In no particular order, whatsoever.

April 10, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Politicians Fear Congestion Backlash"
by Lisa L. Colangelo, Daily News Staff Writer

April 9, 2008, Staten Island Advance:
"With Toll-Plan Defeat, Mayor Losing Grip on Relevance"
by Sally Goldenberg

April 9, 2008, NY Post:
"'PARK' SHARK BUST"
by Murray Weiss and Philip Messing

Mar. 25, 2008, Fox 5 News:
"Fox 5 Investigates: Ticket Dumping, Part 2"
by John Deutzman

Mar. 25, 2008, Fox 5 News:
"Fox 5 Investigates: Ticket Dumping, Part 1"
by John Deutzman

Bogus Parking Ticket: Coincidence or Reprisal?

2008-04-08T07:47:00.001-07:00

Since about March 17, 2008, I've been fighting a war of words with the NYC Dept. of Fraud (a.k.a. the NYC Dept. of Finance). Helping three victims of bogus parking tickets all issued in Queens by the infamous T-405 command.

After they were found guilty, I demanded copies of the their hearing records. I gave the NYC DOF ample time to provide them to me. Result: Empty mailbox. I just kept getting the old run-around. Then I filed two complaints against the NYC DOF with the NYC Dept. of Investigation. For violating the NYS Freedom of Information Law.

Mayor Mike and Slush Fund Queen Quinn claims we have a more transparent and open city government. Yeah, right, we do. I think both are on crack.

Last Fri., April 4, 2008, while doing a routine check for parking tickets issued to my Honda Pilot (NY plate # DUP1713), I found an obviously bogus ticket issued to my Honda.

After having been issued a bogus ticket in Dec. 2006 that I only learned about when I got the late notice with a $10 late penalty. I do at least a once a week check online for bogus tickets issued to my NY plate # DUP1713. The school of hard knocks taught me to practice defensive parking ticket fighting.

The fake summons was issued on March 24, 2008, in Brooklyn. For allegedly violating code 21 ( no parking-street cleaning), I was fined $45. The vehicle described on the summons was a 2003 Lexus sedan. I wish. The reality, according to my NYS vehicle reg., is that my "2003 Lexus sedan" is a 2006 Honda Pilot suburban. Maybe in the future, I'll drive a Lexus.

My first thought was that this is an incredible coincidence. But maybe this is retaliation? A message from the NYC Dept. of Fraud to back off. To stop my independent investigation of their "official misconduct."

If it is a reprisal, then it didn't work. Because I'm a fighter. Long live the fighters!

Conge$t Tax? No way!

2008-04-07T14:56:00.000-07:00

Sweet victory! Sweet victory! Death to Mayor Mike's conge$t tax.

April 8, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Mayor Bloomberg Unleashes Fury as Sheldon Silver Halts Congestion Pricing"
by Adam Lisberg, Daily News City Hall Bureau

April 8, 2008, NY Post:
"SHEL GAME WASN'T PERSONAL - THIS TIME"
by Fredric U. Dicker

April 8, 2008, NY Post:
"CONGE$TION HITS END OF THE ROAD"
by Kenneth Lovett and Patrick Gallahue

April 8, 2008, NY Times:
"$8 Traffic Fee for Manhattan Gets Nowhere"
by Nicholas Confessore

April 8, 2008, NY Times:
"Bloomberg Tactics Were Highhanded on Traffic Plan, Lawmakers Say"
by Diane Cardwell and Danny Hakim

April 7 , 2008, NY Times:
"City Room: Congestion Pricing Plan Is Dead, Assembly Speaker Says"
by Nicholas Confessore

April 7 , 2008, 1010 WINS:
"State Assembly Rejects Bloomberg's Congestion Pricing Plan"
by AP

April 7, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Silver: NY Legislature Rejects Manhattan Traffic Fee"
by Adam Lisberg, Daily News City Hall Bureau, and Elizabeth Benjamin

April 7, 2008, NY Post:
"DEFIANT MIKE DOOMS CONGE$TION BID: POLS"
by Kenneth Lovett and Frankie Edozien

April 6, 2008, NY Post:
"SPEAKER: CONGESTION PRICING REJECTED"
by AP

April 7, 2008, NY1 News:
"Congestion Pricing Plan Dead"

Conge$t Tax in the News - Update

2008-04-04T09:06:00.000-07:00

In no specific order, whatever seems to make sense to me.

April 5, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Changes May Be Needed for Traffic Plan"
by Adam Lisberg, Daily News City Hall Bureau

April 5, 2008, WCBS-TV:
"Albany Democrats Oppose Congestion Pricing"

April 4, 2008, NY1 News:
"Clock Ticks On Congestion Pricing"

PTF: "Die conge$t tax! Die, die a horrible death. Conge$t tax plan, be no more."

April 3, 2008, NY1 News:
"Last-Minute Deal Could Revive Congestion Pricing Before Deadline"

April 3, 2008, NY1 News:
"State Assembly Debates Congestion Pricing"

April 3, 2008, NY1 News:
"S.I. Commuters Concerned About Congestion Pricing"

PTF: "I drive on Staten Island. Commute to Manhattan on mass transit. On Sun., drive to church in Queens. I'll only drive into Manhattan when I only must have to. However, I'm concerned about Mayor Mike's conge$t tax plan. Because it'll adversely effect all NYC-residents. Even those who don't ever have to drive into Manhattan. And, if you don't think it'll effect you, then you must be on crack like Mike."

April 2, 2008, NY1 News:
"Fate Of Congestion Pricing Still Hangs In The Balance"

April 2, 2008, NY1 News:
"All Eyes On Silver Who Holds Key To Congestion Pricing"
by Rita Nissan

April 1, 2008, NY1 News:
"Congestion Pricing Plan Heads To Albany"

Conge$t Tax? NO!

2008-03-28T05:10:00.000-07:00

Please, join me in voicing a strong "NO!" to Mayor Mike's conge$tion tax. I've already e-mailed my "Conge$t Tax? NO!" message to Gov. Paterson, my NYS assemblyman, and my NYC council member. Don't wait. The deadline is Mar. 31, 2008.

Contact NYS Governor David Paterson.
Link: http://www.ny.gov/governor/contact/index.html

Contact NYS Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.
Link: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=064

Find your NYS Assembly representative at assembly.state.ny.us
Link: http://assembly.state.ny.us/

Find your NYC Council member at council.nyc.gov
Link: http://council.nyc.gov/

For more about Mayor Mike's conge$tion tax, visit the following:

"Keep NYC Congestion Tax Free" website
Link: http://KeepNYCFree.com/

"Stop NYC Congestion Tax" website
Link: http://www.stopnyccongestiontax.org/

"Stop NYC Congestion Pricing Tax" video on YouTube.com
Link: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Rz9A14ox5Yg

Thank you.

Conge$t Tax in the News - Update

2008-03-25T05:14:00.000-07:00

In no particular order whatsoever, it's easier this way for me.

April 3, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Assembly Democrats Haggle Over Congestion Pricing Plan"
by Elizabeth Benjamin, Adam Lisberg, and Celeste Katz, Daily News Staff Writers

April 3, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Under Plan, N.Y. Drivers Entering Manhattan on Bridges Would Also Pay"
by Adam Lisberg, Daily News City Hall Bureau

April 2 , 2008, NY Times:
"City Plans to Raise Hudson River Tolls Draws Corzine's Fire"
by David W. Chen and Ken Belson

PTF: "Even Gov. Corzine thinks Mayor Mike is on crack."

April 2, 2008, NY Post:
"'Congestion' War with NJ Governor"
by Patrick Gallahue and Kenneth Lovett

PTF: "Mayor Mike's conge$tion tax plan is turning out to be more trouble than it's worth. Now, we'll have a lawsuit from NJ governor Corzine to look forward to."

April 2, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Colangelo: Mayor Touts Labor's Backing; Uniforms Still Want Congestion Pricing Parked"
by Lisa Colangelo

April 2, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Plan for New, More Frequent Transit Options Before Congest Plan Starts"
by Pete Donohue

April 2, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Kids' Health and IQ Could Improve with Congestion Pricing Plan"
by Jordan Lite, Daily News Staff Writer

April 2, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Editorials: The Big Green Light"

April 2, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Politicians Who Back Congestion Pricing Wonder: Is It Gutsy - Or Career-Ending"
by Bob Kappstatter, Kerry Burke and Kirsten Danis, Daily News Staff Writers

April 2, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Pork Handouts Offered to Pressure Council Members to OK Congestion Plan"
by Juan Gonzalez

April 2, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Some Council Members Drove to City Hall to Vote Against Congestion Pricing"
by Caitlin Millat and Frank Lombardi, Daily News Writers

Dec. 11, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Traffic Congestion Plan Could Hit 3rd Rail"
b Pete Donohue and Helen Kennedy, Daily News Staff Writers

April 2, 2008, WNYC New York Public Radio:
"Congestion Opposition Cries Foul"
Complete Article: REPORTER: Councilman Lewis Fidler, who led the opposition, claims the mayor promised a campaign fundraiser as an incentive for an undecided council person who dropped by Gracie Mansion before the vote.
FIDLER: While that member was there, the mayor suggested that he would do a fundraiser for that member. I think that for a mayor who is so holier than thou, talking about pay-for-play or whatever - that's hypocritical and inappropriate.
REPORTER: Fidler says he can't reveal the identity of the council person. The mayor has been a fierce critic of so-called "pay-to-play," but has also been quick to contribute to candidates who he felt support the city.
A spokesman for Bloomberg dismissed Fidler's charge as baseless and coming from "a sore loser."
No word yet from Albany on when congestion pricing will be voted on there.

April 1, 2008, WNYC New York Public Radio:
"NY Drivers Respond to Congestion Pricing Vote"
Complete Article: Drivers are reacting with skepticism following the City Council's approval of congestion pricing.
REPORTER: John Cameron, a field engineer who drives from Manhattan to various parts around the region every day, said the $8 fee would not do much to improve traffic jams.
CAMERON: I don't believe it's going to change drivers’ habits whatsoever. It might change a small percentage of the people, but it's not going to change enough to make a difference.
REPORTER: The City Council voted 30 to 20 last night in favor of the proposal. The state legislature must vote before Monday in order for the city to qualify for a $350 million federal grant.The bill's prospects in the assembly are uncertain.

April 1, 2008, NY Daily News:
"City Council OKs Traffic Congestion Plan"
by Adam Lisberg, Daily News City Hall Bureau

April 1, 2008, NY Post:
"'CONGE$T' BARELY WINS COUNCIL OK"
by Patrick Gallahue

Mar. 31, 2008, NY1 News:
"City Council Passes New Congestion Pricing Plan"

Mar. 30, 2008, WABC-TV:
"City Council to Vote on Congestion Pricing Monday"

Mar. 30, 2008, WCBS-TV:
"Anti-Congestion Pricing Rally Held In Chinatown"
by Cindy Hsu

Mar. 30, 2008, Staten Island Advance:
"Mayor Bloomberg, Speaker Christine Quinn Pushing to Rally Support for the Initiative"
by Tom Wrobleski

PTF: "Right on brother! Says Mayor Mike: 'The revenue from the conge$t tax will all go to improving mass transit.' Don't be fooled. If you believe him, I've got a great bridge I want to sell you. And don't buy his line about the conge$t tax generating $500 million a year. It'll fall short. And they'll double it. $8 will be raised to $16 before you can say, 'congestion pricing' three times."

Mar. 30, 2008, WCBS-TV:
"Deadline Draws Near For NYC Congestion Pricing"
by Magee Hickey

Mar. 30, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Secretaries, Law Clerks Grab Gratis Spaces on Public Parkland, News Finds"
by Elizabeth Hays, Daily News Staff Writer

PTF: "Stop the madness! Stop the parking perks! I mean, I don't get one. I pay taxes. Where the heck is my parking perk? Where's my free parking spot? No where, that's where."

Mar. 28, 2008, WNYC New York Public Radio:
"Robocalls Blast Congestion Pricing"
Complete Article: New Yorkers around the city are getting anonymous robocalls urging them to convince their City Council people to vote against the congestion pricing plan. The call says the Metropolitan Transportation Authority can't be trusted to spend the money on mass transit.
TAPE: And as for promises that the funds will only go for improvements, the MTA admits that 67 percent will be spent on everything but new bus and subway lines. And they just canceled the improvements promised to get the March fare increase.”
REPORTER: The Mayor's office says the contention that the money won’t go to mass transit is false. A Bloomberg spokesman says the plan will garner $500 million a year for mass transit improvements. Councilmember Walter McCaffrey, who is leading the main opposition group, maintains his group didn't fund the calls.

Mar. 28, 2008, WNYC New York Public Radio:
"Traffic Fee Foes in Queens Take to the Street"
Complete Article: "Honk if you are against congestion pricing" — that was the message on signs a few Queens politicians and business leaders held aloft for motorists at the Queensboro Bridge this morning. Organizer and City Councilman Tony Avella says the location was chosen to make a point.
AVELLA: People don't drive as you see here, into Manhattan for the pleasure of it. They drive because they have to.
REPORTER: The council and state lawmakers have until April 7 to agree to a congestion pricing plan, or risk losing federal funding.

Mar. 28, 2008, NY Post:
"City Jumps the Gun on 'Congest' Jobs"
by Patrick Gallahue Transit Reporter

PTF: "What a huge waste of money. Well-paid jobs to help City Hall rip-off working class Americans."

Mar. 27, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Silver Turns a Key on Congestion Plan"
by Frank Lombardi and Joe Mahoney

PTF: "I'm starting to lose hope now. I still don't think Mayor Mike's conge$t tax scheme will happen. But I'm worried."

Conge$t Tax in the News - Update

2008-03-23T10:54:00.000-07:00

In no real order, saves me a lot of time trying to figure which comes before the other. I'm so lazy. Lazy blogger, bad blogger.

Mar. 21, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Over Next Two Weeks, State to Decide Whether to Approve Congestion Plan"
by Juan Gonzalez

PTF: "Super column by Senor Gonzalez. Hit the working class, but give the rich a discount? Is Mayor Mike on crack, again?"

Mar. 24, 2008, NY1 News:
"City Council Remains Divided on Issue of Congestion Pricing"

PTF: "Die conge$t tax, die. Die a horrible death. No one with half a brain wants you to live. Death to taxes. Especially, idiot taxes like the conge$tion tax (a.k.a. congestion pricing)."

Mar. 25, 2008, NY Post:
"Show Us the Transit $$, Say Congest Foes"
by Patrick Gallahue and Frankie Edozien and Andy Geller

PTF: "Similar theme as the NY1 News report about conge$tion tax debate in the NYC Council. Will the revenue from the conge$t tax go to the general fund? Or will it all go to improving mass transit? History strongly suggests that will not happen. Maybe at the start. But eventually some, at least, will end up in the general fund."

Mar. 25, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Mayor Bloomberg and Allies Work to Win Converts to Congestion Pricing Plan"
by Kirsten Danis and Adam Lisberg, Daily News City Hall Bureau

PTF: "More questions. Will charitable organizations be exempt? Like the meals-on-wheels nonprofit God's Love We Deliver. Will cops, firefighters, cancer patients, and others be exempt? Will low-income drivers get a tax credit? If NJ drivers are exempt, how will Mayor Mike make up the difference? Free residential parking permits for people who live outside the conge$t zone? More questions, no easy answers."

Mar. 24, 2008, WNYC New York Public Radio:
"City Council Hears Testimony on Congestion Pricing"
Complete Article: City Council Members are hearing testimony for both opponents and supporters of congestion pricing today. Mayor Bloomberg's aides again dangled the prospect of losing a $354 million federal grant as an incentive to approve the plan within the next seven days.
REPORTER: Queens Council Member Melinda Katz, who opposed congestion pricing, criticized that tactic.
KATZ: We are basically thanking the federal government for giving us the money to give us permission to tax ourselves and to me that doesn’t make sense.
REPORTER: The federal grant is supposed to pay for more buses and other upgrades to prepare the mass transit system for the additional riders who would give up driving rather than 8-dollars to get into the busiest parts of Manhattan.
The hearing continues through this afternoon. Another session will begin at 6 p.m. to accommodate people's work schedules.

Congestion Tax in the News - Update

2008-03-22T05:00:00.001-07:00

Bad news for NYC drivers, good news for Mayor Mike and his supporters.

Mar. 21, 2008, WNYC New York Public Radio:
"Paterson Backs Congestion Pricing"
Complete Article: Gov. David Paterson has come our in support of congestion pricing. Gov. Spitzer had been in favor, but Paterson had reserved judgment. Paterson’s support is crucial for passage of the legislation which would charge drivers in Midtown in peak hours. Mayor Michael Bloomberg says a bill must pass both the Legislature and the City Council by March 31 for the city to receive hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funds for mass transit.

Mar. 21, 2008, NY1 News:
"Paterson Announces Support for Congestion Pricing"

PTF: "I had high hopes for Gov. Paterson. Now, he's my enemy. Down with Gov. Paterson. More of the same rubbish. He's turning out to be more like that old idiot, former Gov. Spitzer."

Mar. 22, 2008, NY Post:
"New Gov Unclogs Congest"
by Patrick Gallahue

PTF: "A little more background info."

Feb. 13, 2008, NY Post:
"Tight Parking Spot"
by Patrick Gallahue

PTF: "If you think you'll be able to find a parking space outside of the congestion zone, think again. Because a recent DOT survey says there ain't no parking spaces now. The neighborhoods ringing the proposed congestion zone in Manhattan have few parking spaces open now for drivers looking to avoid Mayor Mike's congestion tax."

Congestion Tax in the News - Update

2008-03-21T05:27:00.000-07:00

In reverse chronological order:

Mar. 21, 2008, NY Post:
"But What's Mike Really Think?"
Complete Article: "That is one of the stupider things I've ever heard. Are you kidding? It's insanity." - Mayor Bloomberg, reacting to a claim by Rep. Anthony Weiner(D-Bklyn.), a 2009 mayoral candidate, that congestion pricing could lead to reduced federal transportation aid for the city.

PTF: "Mayor Mike you're the one who's insane. Rep. Weiner is the sane one. That's exactly what the Feds want to do. The Febs are sick and tired of having to hand out Fed transportation aid to each and every DOT in America. Instead, the Febs want each and every DOT to generate their own transportation funds. Congestion tax = huge savings for the Federal government."

Mar. 20, 2008, NY Post:
"Mike Pitches Congestion Pricing to New Governor"
by Patrick Gallahue and David Seifman

PTF: "New Gov. Paterson is on the fence. Which is good. Means he can be influenced. He hasn't made any decisions for or against. Please, don't delay. Write, call, e-mail Gov. Paterson today. Urge him to dump Mayor Mike's congestion tax.

Go to his "Contact The Governor" webpage at
http://www.ny.gov/governor/contact/index.html

Do all three, call, e-mail, write a letter. 'Say, 'NO!' to Mayor Mike's congestion tax.' The deadline is March 31, 2008. There's still time. So, don't waste it."

Mar. 16, 2008, NY Post:
"'Congest' Plan Hits Another Pothole"
by David Seifman

PTF: "Former Gov. Spitzer was for Mayor Mike's congestion tax. Our new Gov. Paterson is 'noncommittal' which means that the congest tax is a long shot but not dead. So, don't sit on your ass thinking you don't have to anything. The problem will just go away. Mayor Mike's got the money and the influence and the will to make it happen. He's not going to give up. He's going to give it his all. Until the Fed's deadline of March 31, 2008."

Mar. 14, 2008, NY Post:
"'Conge$t' Bid Takes Us for Ride: Poll"
by Patrick Gallahue

PTF: "You'd have to be an idiot to believe that most or all of the money generated by Mayor Mike's congest tax would actually go towards improving bus and train service. I'm sure some of the revenue would. But politicians love to put revenue into the general fund. Which means they're free to spend the general fund as they see fit. They don't want to be forced to spend it on specific items. They can't be trusted."

Mar. 4, 2008, NY Post:
"Congestion Move vs. NJ"
by Patrick Gallahue

PTF: "So, I'm not the only New York resident who doesn't like those strange NJ people. Stick it to NJ. Coming into our city. Breathing our NYC air for free. Stealing our NYC parking spaces. Stealing jobs from NYC residents. Get a job in your own state! Damn it! Of course, I'm just joking. Actually, not really."

Feb. 28, 2008, NY Post:
"Assembly Cool to Conge$tion"
by Kenneth Lovett

PTF: "The New York State Assembly is not hot for Mayor Mike's congestion tax. Which is good. But don't declare, 'War Won' yet."

Feb. 26, 2008, NY Post:
"'Congest' Plan Gets 500G Ads"
by by Patrick Gallahue

PTF: "These pro-congest ads claim the congest revenue will be spent on mass transit. However, I would argue that the revenues will end up in the general fund. Maybe not right away, but eventually it will. Do you think all the revenue from our water bills go to maintain all those old pipes?"

Parking Tix in the News - Update

2008-03-18T11:33:00.000-07:00

In reverse chronological order:

Mar. 24, 2008, NY Daily News:
"City to Curb Abuse of Parking Placards "
by Josh Max

PTF: "Right now just a lot of talk, talk, talk. When the heck are they actually going to reduce the fakes and the unnecessary?"

Feb. 3, 2008, NY Post:
"NYPD Daily Blotter"
by Erika Martinez & Tatiana Deligiannakis

Excerpt: Manhattan
Two NYPD traffic-enforcement agents were arrested for writing bogus tickets, cops said yesterday.
Mohammad Islam and Mohammad Saleh were charged with forgery, official misconduct, falsifying business records and offering a false instrument for filing."

PTF: "Just the tip of the trash pile. Ultimately, Mayor Mike's to blame. He's created a work environment where the cops, traffic agents, and the hearing judges feel free to commit fraud. In order to scam drivers in NYC for more than $500 million every year."

Nov. 7, 2006, Streetsblog.org:
"Two Doubleparked Traffic Agents, Sunnyside Up"
by Glenn McAnanama

PTF: "This is one of the many reasons why New Yorkers hate traffic agents. They only enforce parking rules (when not issuing fake tickets). They, apparently, do not have to obey parking rules themselves. Makes me want to scream, 'Bloody murder!'"

Parking Tix in the News - Update

2008-03-15T05:27:00.000-07:00

Mar. 15 , 2008, NY Times:
"Study Quantifies the Frustrations of Parking"
by William Neuman

PTF: "This study only proves what most New Yorkers who drive into Manhattan already know. Vehicles with legit and fake parking permits are clogging the streets. Mayor Mike has to reduce real and fake placards by a lot more than 20%. 20% is a start, not the solution. I don't get a placard. Where's my placard? Stop the abuse. Stop the madness."

Congestion Tax in the News - Update

2008-03-13T05:48:00.000-07:00

Not really an update, more like background info. For those who have not been following the news about Mayor Mike's congestion tax plan. Again, in reverse chronological order:

May 29, 2007, Streetsblog:
"How Many New Yorkers Actually Commute to the CBD?"
by Aaron Naparstek

PTF: "Aaron N. makes a very good point. The majority of NYC residents do not commute by car into the CBD (Central Business District, Manhattan south of 60th St.). However, it is the majority of NYC residents who will have to suffer the side effects of Mayor Mike's congestion tax plan. Which are businesses forced to close or to move outside the CBD. More pollution and congestion in the outer boroughs. More crowded buses and trains. And criminals stealing car plates and cloning (i.e., making fake plates) plate numbers."

June 7, 2007, Streetsblog:
"Spitzer Backs Congestion Pricing"
by Aaron Naparstek

PTF: "Yes, I know Spitzer isn't the governor any more. Wanted to provide more background info for those who are just learning about Mayor Mike's congestion tax plan."

June 21, 2007, NY Sun:
"Spitzer Presses Silver on Congestion Study"
by Annie Karni, Staff Reporter of the Sun

PTF: "More background info about Mayor Mike's past efforts to get his congestion tax plan through Albany."

July 19, 2007, NY Daily News:
"Congest Fight U-Turn"
by Michael Saul & Joe Mahoney

PTF: "Now that Ex-Gov. Spitzer has finally resigned. Our law-makers can get back to work. But don't think that just because Spitzer is no more. That Mayor Mike's congestion tax plan is dead. Because you'd be dead wrong. While the congestion tax plan is likely to die from lack of votes, it's not dead yet. Mayor Mike has the money and influence to squeeze it through somehow. I will give him his due. He's a fighter. He doesn't quit. You don't become a billionaire by being a quitter."

July 26, 2007, NY State Government:
"Statement of Governor Spitzer on Congestion Pricing"
by [Ex-] Governor Spitzer

PTF: "A millionaire like Spitzer who regularly pays for $1,000 per hour prostitutes. Of course, can't understand how much of a burden an additional $2,000 per year in congestion taxes would be for a working-class family. Or a billionaire like Mayor Mike. Of course, I'm not implying that Mayor Mike pays for high-class prostitutes like Ex-Gov. Spitzer. Just that both are obviously on crack if they think that trying to squeeze an extra $2,000 per working-class family makes sense."

Parking Tix in the News - Update

2008-03-11T08:08:00.000-07:00

Feb. 10, 2008, NY Post:
"Placard Sharks Hit Bravest"
by Ginger Adams Otis & Joshua Rhett Miller

PTF: "I feel a little bad about feeling so happy after I read this article. A little bit bad but can't help smiling. Last year I was telling my co-workers that, with the congestion tax, criminals will be making fake plates (i.e., cloning). It'll become a lucrative and non-violent crime. No one believed me. They thought I was crazy. Which I am. Now, breaking into a firefighter's car to steal his parking permit is a much more serious crime. At least to me. So, a criminal who will not hesitate to break into a firefighter's vehicle will also not hesitate to make fake plates for customers who don't want to pay a congestion tax."

Queens: Bagel Bus Stop Tix Trap

2008-03-10T05:56:00.000-07:00

This parking ticket trap must be the most diabolical trap I have ever heard or seen. Reminds me of the infamous tix trap where the NYC DOT had planted a parking meter inside 15 feet of a fire hydrant.

This trap is five parking meters on one half of a short commercial street. But it's also an Express QM1A bus stop (7am to 9am, Mon. to Fri.). My church member Dave P. tipped me off to it ("Thank you, Dave.").

This past Sun. afternoon I went there and took photos of the trap.
Photos of the "Bagel Bus Stop Tix Trap" online at Flickr.com
Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/24615876@N08/sets/72157604088752019/

It's in Queens. The street is on 73rd Ave. between Bell Blvd. and 215th Street. Half of the street, starting from Bell Blvd., is a regular bus stop (Q75, Q88, & QM1A) without any parking meters. The other half of the street has five parking meters, ending at 215th Street.

In the morning, an unsuspecting driver parks at one of the meters, pays the meter, then goes into the Bagel Shoppe to get a bagel and coffee. But, when he comes back to his vehicle, he finds a $115 summons for illegally parking in a "No Standing" zone. Because this half of the street is also an Express QM1A bus stop from 7am to 9am, Mon. to Fri. All NYC bus stops are "No Standing" zones.

The City of NY loves "No Standing" tickets. They are a huge money-maker. Combined with the fact that the NYC DOF has a "No Mercy" policy for "No Standing" tickets. Even if a driver decides to fight his "No Standing" tix, the Dept. of Fraud will eventually get its due.

In regards to the other side of the story, that is the logic of the NYC Dept. of Transportation behind the parking meters/express bus stop combo. I will make an attempt to get their side of the story. I don't expect to get a response. I will keep you up to date.

Parking Tix in the News - Update

2008-03-08T04:51:00.000-08:00

In reverse chronological order:

Mar. 5, 2008, NY1 News:
"Your S.I. News Now: New Fine for Unattended Cars Combats S.I. Auto Theft"
by Bree Driscoll

PTF: "WTF is this BS? Instead of catching the car thieves, the NYPD has decided to go after the drivers. A bogus $35 ticket for an unattended vehicle with the key in the ignition. Blame the victim? Has the world gone upside-down? I'm I crazy? Here's my message the Mayor Mike and his mob enforcers: 'Fight car theft, go after the car thieves. DO NOT go after the drivers!'"

Mar. 8, 2008, NY Times:
"Traffic Plan Needs Votes on Council, Survey Finds"
by Ray Rivera

PTF: "Recession + Congestion Tax = Insanity. You can't squeeze water out of a rock."

Parking Tix in the News - Update

2008-03-06T12:23:00.000-08:00

Mar. 6, 2008, NY Times:
"No Parking Spots? Here Are About 142,000 Reasons"
by William Neuman and Al Baker

PTF: "A City of NY parking permit (a.k.a. a parking placard) should never be a 'perk.' There should be a real reason for a city employee to use one. I mean, there was and is too many city employees abusing their 'perk.' And let us not forget to mention all those fake parking permits copied for the friends and family of city employees."

Parking Tix in the News - Update

2008-02-28T06:54:00.000-08:00

In reverse chronological order:

Feb. 28, 2008, NY Post:
"Assembly Cool to Conge$tion"
by Kenneth Lovett

PTF: "Some good news for NYC drivers. Hopefully, the New York State Assembly will do the right thing and kill Mayor Mike's stupid congestion tax scam."

Feb. 28, 2008, 1010WINS:
"Yonkers City Council Approves Traffic Cameras"
by Associated Press

PTF: "Watch out! My fellow NY drivers outside NYC. Traffic cameras will be watching your every move. Gov. Spitzer needs your dollars to fill his estimated budget deficit of $384 million. Source: Feb. 11, 2008, 'New York's Budget Deficit Deepens' by Michael Gormley."

Feb. 27, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Says Queens Parking Tickets Bogus"
by Elizabeth Hays, Daily News Staff Writer

PTF: "Mayor Mike and his thugs can't be expected to police themselves properly. When the fox is guarding the hen house, the chickens are in big trouble. And the chickens are us, unfortunately. The assistant manager at my day job last year got a bogus parking ticket. He has NJ plates. Allegedly, he was parked at a 'No Standing' zone. But doesn't recollect ever having parked outside. Or getting a parking ticket. So, it's definitely not only one or only four or only a dozen dirty traffic agents. My guess is that, at least, 50% or more of NYC's traffic agents write bogus tickets some of the time. In order to fill their 'illegeal' ticket quotas."

Mar. 4, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Cops Probe Bogus Parking Tickets"
by Elizabeth Hays, Daily News Staff Writer

PTF: "Reporter Hays follows up on her previous article about bogus Queens parking tix."

Parking Tix in the News - Update

2008-02-15T07:53:00.000-08:00

Feb. 12, 2008, Fox 5 News:
"Fox 5 Investigates: Tickets Written Early"

PTF: "The Fox 5 Investigates team caught dirt-bag traffic agents writing tickets before they were supposed to. Apparently, an error in the system. Their digital hand-held scanners are not synchronized with the official U.S. time. Making it easier for them to write bogus tickets that seem to be legit. And almost impossible to beat."

Parking Tix in the News - Update

2008-02-12T08:09:00.000-08:00

Feb. 11, 2008, Fox 5 News:
"Fox 5 Investigates: Red-Light Imposters"

PTF: "Very interesting, very scary story. This woman's NYS plate number, apparently, cloned by another person. (Note: Cloning or car number plate theft is a big problem in the UK.) The other person in a different car with her cloned plate racked up two "red light camera" tickets. The criminal with her cloned plate didn't get in trouble, of course. She did. Because the plate number is hers. Last year I tried to warn people about cloning. This year we'll probably see more stories about it. Criminals running red lights and getting parking tix with someone else's plate number."

Parking Tix in the News - Update

2008-02-08T09:33:00.000-08:00

In reverse chronological order:

Feb. 7, 2008, NY Daily News:
"No Skirting Traffic Rules, Judge Tells Blind Patient's Husband"
by Matthew Lysiak, Daily News Staff Writer

PTF: "This judge (actually, an administrative law judge) has got to be on crack. I'm going to start an online petition to have this A-hole fired.

Petition Title: Fire Judge Irwin Strum
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/firejudgeirwinstrum/index.html
Please, sign the petition. Lets stop the madness!

Mayor Mike and his thugs need money so bad, they have to shakedown the sick and the elderly. Stories like this make me wonder. How, the heck, are we, as Americans, different from the Communist Chinese or Iranians or North Koreans? We don't expect there to be any justice in those countries. But don't we expect justice, common sense, compassion in the U.S.A?"

Jan., 10, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Meter Maid Writes 'Em A Cruel Ticket"
by Matthew Lysiak & Tracy Conner, Daily News Writers

PTF: "NYC traffic enforcement agents are the modern equivalents of the tax collectors of the Bible. I can't stand them. Too bad Jesus isn't here to save their souls. I'd put all of them on the express bus to Hell."

Dirty Judge Can't Read Map

2008-02-06T14:09:00.000-08:00

This past Sat., Feb. 2, 2008, in my mailbox, appeared the audio tape of my live hearing with ALJ Joan Giaccio on June 4, 2007, at the Staten Island Payment Center.

I didn't think I'd ever get it. I wrote a letter, mailed postcards, e-mailed, and I even talked to a real person at the NYC Dept. of Fraud (a.k.a. the NYC Dept. of Finance). Plus, I filed a complaint with the NYC Dept. of Investigation. I guess all my hard work eventually paid off.

The audio tape is definitely low quality. Lots of background noise. But I can make myself out and ALJ Giaccio from the tape. Better late and low quality than never and nothing. Next time I'll remember to record with my own equipment. (For sure.)

After some trial and error, I converted the audio tape into one MP3 file, 9.7MB. And put it on the Net. So, anyone can access it. Anyone who has broadband Internet access, of course.

If you don't have the time to listen to the whole hearing, I've summarized ALJ Giaccio's three main points. Her three "reasons" why I was quilty. (Where does Mayor Mike find these A-holes?)

This piece of human garbage tried to convince me that "1 Richmond Terrace" was the whole block. From "1 Richmond Terrace" to "75 Richmond Terrace." So, it didn't matter where exactly my Honda was parked. (What? Am I speaking English? Yo, judge, do you know how to read a map?)

According to former ALJ Haskell Nussbaum, author of Beat That Parking Ticket, the location indicated on the summons must be un-ambiguous. If the location is not clear, the summons must be dismissed.

This "thing" also argued that Google Maps are one year old. Therefore, their maps don't make for good evidence. The Google Maps of "1 Richmond Terrace" and "75 Richomnd Terrace" that I showed her. No good because they're too old. (Again, huh?)

Even if Google Maps are two or five years old. The entrance to the S.I. Ferry and that street, Richmond Terrace, have not physically changed. The Ferry Terminal has changed a lot. But I didn't park inside the Terminal.

To top it all off, ALJ Giaccio told me that the police officers are patrolling the parking lot to "fight crime." So, apparently, I'm a criminal. Because I parked illegally. Parking illegally is the first step to a life of violent crime. (It's a good thing I was caught early in my life of crime. Hopefully, I'll be able to turn my life around. Thank you ALJ Giaccio.)

It's only my opinion that the cops are really filling their ticket quotas. According to ALJ Giaccio, the cops are fighting crime. (How noble. What a load of #$%@ BS!)

To sum up, "1 Richmond Terrace" is the same as "75 Richmond Terrace." The entrance to the S.I. Ferry has moved several times. And I'm a criminal because I refuse to obey parking rules to the letter. (Thank you ALJ Giaccio for educating me. Go to hell! You piece of human trash.)

Below is the link to the MP3 of my live hearing:

http://www.box.net/shared/yxk559t6ok

The page that loads will allow you to either play the MP3 or download it.

Double Parking Urban Legends

2008-01-24T08:16:00.000-08:00

Filed under NYC urban legends. Too many New York City drivers are totally ignorant of their own parking rules. Which helps the NYC Dept. of Fraud (a.k.a. Dept. of Finance) generate more than half a billion dollars every year.

Myth #1: Turning on hazard lights makes it OK to double park.

False. To quote the NYC Dept. of Transportation: "Double parking passenger vehicles is illegal at all times, including street cleaning days, regardless of location, purpose or duration."

Myth #2: Keeping the engine on makes it OK to double park.

Again, false. See Myth #1.

Myth #3: Having someone in the vehicle makes it OK to double park.

Again, false. See Myth #1.

Myth #4: Alternate street parking means double parking is OK.

Again, false. See Myth #1.

However, to correct the NYC DOT, according to Beat That Parking Ticket by Haskell Nussbaum. It is OK to double park if you are dropping off or picking up a passenger. As long as you do so expeditiously. Of course, what you think is expeditious and a traffic agent thinks is expeditious may differ.

Parking Tix in the News - Update

2008-01-18T06:04:00.000-08:00

In reverse chronological order:

Jan. 16, 2008, NY1 News:
"Public Sounds Off on Congestion Pricing Plans"

PTF: "Instead of this Rube-Goldberg-esque system of cameras that will encircle Manhattan. Why not just have the NYPD randomly stop drivers and, at gun point, take all their cash? And Mayor Mike and City Hall will be able to keep more in revenue without the huge expense of cameras everywhere. In either case, essentially the same."

June 28, 2005, NY Times:
"What Parking Ticket Quota? Police Prefer to Call It an 'Expectation'"
by Mike McIntire

PTF: "FYI: Section 215-a of the Labor Laws of New York State prohibits ticket quotas. Therefore, ticket quotas are illegal. Right? So, traffic agents and police officers don't have quotas to fill every month. Right? There aren't any ticket quotas. And I never curse when I drive. Like you."

Parking Tix in the News - Update

2008-01-17T05:31:00.000-08:00

In reverse chronological order:

Jan. 17, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Markowitz Curbs His Sidewalk Park Habit"
by Elizabeth Hays, Daily News Staff Writer

PTF: "Another example of rampant parking permit abuse. If parking rules apply to me when I park my vehicle in NYC, then the same rules should apply to everyone else. Right? City employees have run amok with legit and fake parking permits for too many years. It's time to stop the abuse. A 20% reduction is a good start. But should not be the end."

Jan. 15, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Tickets and Car Thefts on the Decline"
by Veronika Belenkaya, Daily News Staff Writer

PTF: "As far as I'm concerned, not enough of a decrease in parking tix for me. Dear NYPD: Fight crime first!"

Jan. 15, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Number of Parking Tickets Dropped in '07"
by Bob Kappstatter, Daily News Bronx Bureau Chief

PTF: "Although parking tix last year (2007) went down 6% citywide. I predict that 2008 citywide parking tix will go up. 'The Independent Budget Office has projected a $3.1 billion shortfall for the upcoming budget, which begins July 1.' (Source: Jan. 12, 2008, "Bloomberg Won't Vow No '08 Tax Hikes" by Kirsten Danis, Daily News City Hall Bureau Chief.) A $3.1 billion shortfall is a pretty good reason for Mayor Mike to hike parking tix quotas. Which don't exist. Because NY State Labor Law section 215-a forbids it."

Jan. 8, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Seeing Orange with Parking Ticket Blitz"
by Jess Wisloski

PTF: "Where are the studies showing that parking tix increase safety for pedestrians? Where? No where. Because no such study exists. Parking tix are all about revenue generation for towns and cities. All across the U.S.A., towns and cities are more concerned about making money than the safety of its residents. Visit the Newspaper, a journal of the politics of driving."

Jan. 8, 2008, Reuters:
"'Parking Wars' Just the Ticket"
by Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
"A reality TV series about the lives of parking agents of the Philadelphia Parking Authority. Airing on the A&E channel, Tues., 10pm, Parking Wars. Check it out. Let me know what you think. I don't have cable TV. Too poor from all those $#%! parking tickets. Just kidding. Just poor-paying job."

Jan. 5, 2008, NY Times:
"Paring Down Parking Permits, and Raising a Fuss"
by Anthony Ramirez

PTF: "Of course, some city workers have legitimate reasons for their parking permits. However, too many city workers have abused their permits for too long. How can we tell the legit from the abusers? We can't. Again, parking rules should apply to everyone. Just because you work for the city doesn't make your job more important than mine. I'm a law-abiding taxpayer who works hard for each cent I earn. Where's my parking permit?"

Nov. 2, 2007, NY Times:
"Judges on Other Side of the Bench Plead Not Guilty"
by Jonathan Miller

PTF: "With all due respect to my fellow drivers in NJ. Another reason why I don't like NJ. Four municipal judges caught fixing parking tickets, their own and their friends. Clear examples of official misconduct. They'll probably get a slap on the wrist. I really doubt they'll actually do any time in prison."

Stop the Con Game! Mayor Mike.

2007-12-31T10:16:00.000-08:00

The Parking Ticket Fighter: "Mayor Mike and the NYC DOF, stop your 'Hidden Pedestrian Ramp' con game! No one in NYC is stupid enough to believe it isn't just another one of your con games to shakedown innocent drivers."

Mayor Mike's "Hidden Pedestrian Ramp" Con Game Exposed

July 2005 — Arnold Diaz, CBS 2 News, exposed hidden pedestrian ramp ticket traps in his segment "Shame On You: Curb Ramp Ticket Traps?" And inducted City Hall into the CBS 2 News Hall of Shame.

March 2007 — Arnold Diaz, Fox 5 News, exposed the same ticket trap in his segment "Shame, Shame, Shame: Pedestrian Ramps." And inducted City Hall into the Fox 5 News Hall of Shame.

Dec. 2007 — The Parking Ticket Fighter (parkingticketfighter.com). The NYC DOF continues to play the same "Hidden Pedestrian Ramp" con game. Queens resident Barry W. parked his car for 2 days this Christmas week. And, for Christmas, received two tickets for parking in front of a (hidden) pedestrian ramp. $165 X 2 = $330. Another victim of the NYC DOF's "Hidden Pedestrian Ramp" con game.

The Parking Ticket Fighter has declared war on Mayor Mike and the NYC DOF. He has begun a grassroots campaign to finally end the NYC DOF's "Hidden Pedestrian Ramp" con game.

"Stop the Con Game!" Campaign
The Parking Ticket Fighter
parkingticketfighter.com
parkingticketfighter@yahoo.com
(646) 387-8575

Sweet Victory!

2007-12-18T08:15:00.000-08:00

As of Dec. 4, 2007, the Parking Ticket Fighter (a.k.a. PTF) has scored 10 wins and 1 loss. Total saved $520. His own tickets that were issued to his Honda Pilot.

On Thurs., Dec. 6, 2007. I received a letter from the NYC Dept. of Finance (a.k.a. Dept. of Fraud), dated Dec. 4, 2007. Not admitting any wrong-doing, of course. Senior ALJ Dianne Pine dismissed two parking tickets. Both of which I had fought at a live hearing (on June 4, 2007) on Staten Island and had been found guilty on both by ALJ Joan Giaccio. Then I had appealed both, but the Appeals Board had upheld both.

According to the letter, senior ALJ Pine read a map (i.e., an "address check") and determined that both tickets should be dismissed. She agreed with me that "1 Richmond Terrace" and "75 Richmond Terrace" are not the same. (Rocket science. Isn't it?)

Which makes me wonder as to why neither of the first three idiot judges could not read a map. Two maps I had printed out from the Google Maps website. One of "1 Richmond Terrace" and another of "75 Richmond Terrace."

How the heck can you be a parking ticket judge and not be able to read a map? Were the first three ALJs non compos mentis (not of sound mind)? Or just doing what they were told to do. Find defendants guilty any which way possible (either by hook or crook).

However, it was even sweeter when I saw that the NYC Dept. of Fraud had refunded both tickets to my credit card. $110.00. (Yo, where's my interest? Damn thieves.) This Mon., Dec. 17, 2007, I saw that it had posted on Wed., Dec. 12, 2007. So, they refunded me in about 5 or 6 business days. Which is sadly, probably, the fastest they could possibly push it through their system.

So, of my own eleven parking tickets that I fought this year. Ten were dismissed, saving me a total of $520. My 11th ticket I'm saving for last. It requires a more complex legal defense. I am 100% committed to getting all my money back. Every hard-earned penny.

PTF: "I guarantee you, amigo."

FYI: If you have a "problem" with the NYC Dept. of Fraud (a.k.a. the NYC Dept. of Finance), mention Fox 5 News reporter John Deutzman.

Fox 5 News Reporter John Deutzman
E-mail: john.deutzman@foxtv.com
Blog: http://community.myfoxny.com/blogs/John_Deutzman

After I had e-mailed Mr. Deutzman, he called me. And we talked shop. I told him that it was most likely me mentioning his name that put the fire under the ass of the NYC Dept. of Fraud. He told me that they hate him. Which worked in my favor.

PTF: "Thank you, John Deutzman. I want them to hate me too."

2007 S.I. Tix Update

2007-09-05T08:57:00.000-07:00

In reverse chronological order, below are parking tickets I've encountered in my usual daily travel. None of the tickets below belong to me. The following victims I only know by their plate numbers, if I took the time to write it down.

Tues., Sept. 4, 2007. Windham Loop, S.I., NYC. A traffic agent fined a sedan $65 for violating code 71. "Standing or parking a vehicle without displaying a current inspection sticker."

Sat., Sept. 1, 2007. Lot A, St. George Ballpark (a.k.a. Richmond County Savings Bank Ballpark). A NYS handicap plate # 564287 was fined $65 for violating code 71. The handicap plate was parked in one of the reserved spaces for the disabled. The inspection sticker was good until the end of Aug. 2007. So, the inspection sticker was one day past its expiration date. One day. I guess City Hall has no mercy for the disabled.

Sat., Sept. 1, 2007. Lot A, St. George Ballpark (a.k.a. Richmond County Savings Bank Ballpark). A van was ticketed twice. One for each plastic covered plate. $65 + $65 = $130. Fine $65, code 74: "Standing or parking a vehicle without properly displaying its current Plates. Proper display means on the outside of the vehicle, conspicuous, securely fastened not more than 48, or less than 12, inches from the ground, clean, not covered by glass or plastic, and unobstructed."

Sat., Aug. 18, 2007. Lot A, St. George Ballpark (a.k.a. Richmond County Savings Bank Ballpark). This victim "improperly displayed reg. sticker." Violated code ??, fined $55. 100% BS ticket, I think.

Sat., Aug. 11, 2007. Lot A, St. George Ballpark (a.k.a. Richmond County Savings Bank Ballpark). A sedan was ticketed for "parked beyond marked space." Violated code 62, "Standing or parking a vehicle beyond markings on the curb or the pavement of a street which designate a parking space ... " Fined $45, $65 in Manhattan, $45 in all the other boroughs. I've seen many cars parked inside the same marked space. Usually, because there were no other spaces to empty.

Mon., July 16, 2007. Shopping parking lot behind the Staten Island Mall. Two victims, both NYS plates, a traffic agent fined each $65 for violating code 71, "expired inspection sticker." First was ticketed at 6:02 pm and the second was ticketed at 6:14 pm.

Warning! After 5pm, day time or night time, weekends, residental or commercial parking areas, none of that matters. If Mayor Mike and his ticket-happy thugs can physically place a ticket on your auto, watch out. Make sure your plates, inspection sticker, and registration sticker are all up to code.

Memorial Day Tix Surprise

2007-05-28T19:52:00.000-07:00

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

2007-05-28T19:29:00.000-07:00

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

The PTF Top Ten List of Nazi Judges

2007-04-29T15:18:00.000-07:00

In the 21st century, in the United States of America, in the "City of the World." That is, of course, New York City. I didn't expect to find Nazi judges.

Not the real Nazi judges of WWII Nazi Germany. But modern 21st century Nazi judges.

To paraphrase the writer of "Judging the Judges" (Time, July, 1967), our modern Nazi judges give the NYC Dept. of Finance's acts of extortion their legal veneer. And, paraphrasing the same writer again, ordering the NYC DOF's Nazi judges to view the idea and purposes of the state leadership as primary, and the fate of human beings as secondary.

I grant you that the NYC DOF administrative law judges (i.e., Nazi judges) do not levy unjustifiable death sentences. But I felt a piece of my soul die when I was found guilty by one of the Nazi judges who execute the will of the NYC DOF.

That is why I've decided to expose these modern day Nazi judges. Partly out of revenge. But most importantly to try to honor all those brave men and women who fought the Nazis during WWII.

Because Nazism and Nazi judges didn't disappear forever from the face of the Earth with the world's victory over Nazi Germany. If a judge acts like a Nazi and sounds like a Nazi, then he or she is a Nazi judge. And they must be exposed and be stopped.

Please, learn more about Nazi judges of WWII Nazi Germany. Check out the links below.
Fri., July 14, 1967, Time Archive, "Judging the Judges"
The 1961 Academy Award winning movie Judgment at Nuremberg
The real post-WWII Judges' Trial (the basis for the movie Judgment at Nuremberg)

Currently, my "Top Ten List of Nazi Judges" has only three NYC DOF administrative law judges. Still a work in progress. I apologize for that.

If you would like to nominate a Nazi judge, preferably, one who deals with traffic, red light camera, or parking violations. Please, contact me. E-mail: parkingticketfighter@hotmail.com

Nazi Judge # 1: Administrative Law Judge Code # 1232
This Nazi judge adjudicated my co-worker D's RLC (red light camera) defence, hearing-by-mail, not in-person. ALJ #1232 didn't find D's defence "persuasive" (a very popular word for these Nazi judges). So, he or she found D guilty.

I'm not surprised by that. RLC violations are very difficult to fight. I believe, only .02% of those who fight RLC tickets win.

So, why does this #$%& judge deserve to be my # 1 Nazi judge? Because this Nazi judge wasn't man enough or woman enough to sign or to print out his (or her) name on D's "Notice of Determination." Where there should be a legible signature is a small squiggle. Could be a capital "A"? Who knows?

I mean, this Nazi judge hides behind his (or her) ALJ code #. Shouldn't D, at least, know who his executioner, sorry, judge's name is.

ALJs are public servants. The public has the right to know who these ALJs are. No public servant should ever hide behind a number. No public servant should ever be nameless or faceless.

Am I living in the U.S.A.?

Nazi Judge # 2: ALJ John F. MacKay, Jr.
This Nazi judge found my co-worker D guilty of blocking a hidden pedestrian ramp. A $165 parking ticket. D's online defence was, not surprisingly, not "persuasive." Guilty as charged.

This pedestrian ramp was at the middle of the block. Providing access to disabled persons in wheelchairs. So, they could cross a "Blvd. of Death." Without a crosswalk or a STOP sign or a traffic light.

Turned out that Arnold Diaz in 2005 (when he was with CBS 2, now with Fox 5) did a story about hidden pedestrian ramps. The NYC Dept of Transportation had installed several hidden pedestrian ramps at mid-block at different locations. Generating $165 parking tickets and sometimes also towing away the offending vehicles, a total of $350 for the "guilty" offender.

I guess ALJ John F. MacKay, Jr. sincerely cares about the disabled. He's working hard to make sure that criminals like D don't block this pedestrian ramp that gives the disabled access to a "Blvd. of Death."

Check out D with Arnold Diaz in "Shame, Shame, Shame: Pedestrian Ramps."

Nazi Judge # 3: ALJ Mitchell H. Parnes
This SOB was the same ALJ I had for each of the three Mondays I've fought my 100% bogus parking tickets. He adjudicates at the NYC DOF Staten Island Business Center.

He found me guilty of not parking within the marked parking space in front of the entrance to the S.I. Ferry (on the S.I. side) and of the same violation in front of the 120 NYPD Precinct. $45 + $45 = $90.

At my in-person hearing, I argued, "Why would I illegally park my Honda Pilot in front of the entrance to the S.I. Ferry?" Anyone who is at all familiar with S.I. knows that you would have to be mentally incompetent to do so. Your vehicle would have been towed away.

My Honda Pilot was not towed away. It was parked inside Lot A of the Richmond County Bank Ballpark. Which is next to the S.I. Ferry.

It's a private parking lot. According to my interpretation of the NYC traffic regulations, private parking lots are exempt.

Unfortunately, this private parking lot is open access to persons on foot. Of course, you can't drive in without paying. But anyone can walk in. No one on staff there cares who walks in or drives out.

Then for the other ticket. I argued, "Why would I illegally park my Honda Pilot in front of a police precinct?" And, if I did, the cops would have towed it away. They don't care who I am.

Again, my Honda Pilot was parked inside Lot A of the Richmond County Bank Ballpark. When I allegedly was illegally parked in front of the 120 precinct.

He didn't care what I had to say. I was guilty even before I opened my mouth. All the other ticket fighters were guilty who had ALJ Parnes that Monday. Everyone was, is, will be guilty.

He found me guilty on both. So, I had to pay (you have to pay if you want to appeal). But I appealed to the NYC DOF Appeals Board. And they reversed both these tickets. And eventually the NYC DOF (Dept. of Fraud) charged my credit card back $90.

Even the Nazi judges on the NYC DOF Appeals Board agreed with me.

My definition of a Nazi judge is this SOB. You're guilty no matter what you have to say. Because that's what the state wants you to be. Guilty. Pay your balance off.

The SOB Nazi judges like to write down that your defence was not "persuasive." In other words, you need to show incontrovertible evidence that you were innocent.

The onus is on you to prove that you're not guilty. The NYC DOF and its Nazi judges work on the assumption that you're guilty until proven innocent.

I thought that in the U.S. of America a man or woman was innocent until proven guilty. I guess I'm either naïve or stupid. Or maybe both.

Nazi Judge # 4: N/A

Nazi Judge # 5: N/A

Nazi Judge #6: N/A

Nazi Judge # 7: N/A

Nazi Judge #8: N/A

Nazi Judge #9: N/A

Nazi Judge # 10: N/A

The End

Pop Quiz Answers

2007-04-21T18:35:00.000-07:00

Here are all the answers for my "Pop Quiz: NYC Parking Rules."

1. "No Standing" zone. You can stop to drop off/pick up passengers. As long as you do so expeditiously.

You can't stop to load/unload a package or merchandise at curbside. You can't wait or park.

2. "No Stopping" zone. You can't wait, can't park, can't stop to drop off/pick up passengers or to load/unload a package or merchandise at curbside.

3. "No Parking" zone. You can stop to drop off/pickup passengers. And you can stop to load/unload a package or merchandise at curbside. As long as you do so expeditiously.

You can't wait or park there.

4. Fire hydrants. On either side of one, your car must be more than 15 feet away from it. Even if it is broken.

5. Parking or standing is not allowed in front of a driveway.

6. Parking or standing is not allowed withing 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.

7. Parking or standing is not allowed within 30 feet of a traffic light or a "STOP" sign or a "YIELD" sign.

8. Parking or standing is not allowed within 20 feet of a fire station driveway or within 75 feet on the opposite side of the road.

9. Parking or standing is not allowed along a curb that has a pedestrian ramp.

10. Bus stops. Begins at the posted sign and continues in the direction of the arrow to the next posted sign or to the corner of the block. Painted yellow lines or other markings do not indicate where the bus stop starts or ends.

You can stop at a bus stop to drop off/pickup passengers. As long as you do so expeditiously.

Sources: The NYC DOT and the NYS DMV Driver's Manual and "Got Tickets? Your Guide to Parking Ticket Hearings"

4/20/07--Another PTF Record Update

2007-04-20T17:19:00.000-07:00

First the bad news.

Today, DA's online hearing for his "double parking" ticket was completed. Not surprisingly, the NYC DOF found him "guilty." So, now he owes the NYC DOF (Dept. of Fraud) $115.

Of course, we're going to appeal it. But he has to pay it to appeal it. (That's not justice.)

Now, the good news.

This evening, I checked my credit cards online. And I was pleasantly surprised to see two $45 credits from the NYC DOF. Eleven days after receiving the letter from the NYC DOF Appeals Board. I was refunded for my two reversed parking tickets. Apparently, happened on 4/11/07.

I still say that the system does not work in NYC. Like in many cities in the USA and in other cities all over the rest of the world.

You have to be a fighter with an indomitable spirit. Alas, most people in NYC are not. 80% pay their parking tickets without fighting, 20% fight the system. Then, out of that 20%, few go to the next and final step, to the NYC DOF Appeals Board.

The hard-earned lesson I learned is that the system (sort of, somewhat) works if you go all the way and appeal each ticket. But, if you don't appeal, then the system does not work. The system works against you.

The way I see it. It's like anything else in life. It's a learning process. I made mistakes. But I learned from them and became a better fighter.

And I felt I accomplished more than saving some money. I fought back and won. I didn't win every battle. But I've become a more powerful person.

4/16/07--The PTF Record Update

2007-04-16T08:50:00.000-07:00

Another PTF battle record update.

Another win for the Parking Ticket Fighter. So, now 8 fought total. 1 lost, 7 won.

This win was not one of my tickets but one of DA's, my co-worker who appeared on Fox 5 News with Arnold Diaz. Not his "hidden pedestrian ramp" ticket but his "expired meter" ticket.

About three months ago, I entered a defense via online hearning (or hearing-by-Web) for DA's "expired meter" ticket. I used the de minimis legal argument described in the book Beat That Parking Ticket by Haskell Nussbaum.

Really, I didn't think that defense would work. I was sure that he would be found guilty. He didn't have anything to explain why he let the meter expire.

All I was trying to do was to postpone his inevitable "guilty" sentence. And him having to pay the ticket within 30 days of his "guilty" verdict.

Last Wed., during the day, that "expired meter" ticket was in the NYC DOF system "Hearing Pending." Then when I looked for it online in the evening. It "Poof!" disappeared. Like magic.

The next day Thurs. I asked DA, "Did you pay it?" Because I had told DA not to pay any of the tickets until the NYC DOF found him "guilty" first. But DA said, "No."

The only logical conclusion would be that the NYC DOF bought my 100% BS defense for DA's "expired meter" ticket. I was pleasantly surprised. So was DA.

Again, that's a total of 8 fought by me. 1 lost, 7 won. Seven were all my tickets. One was DA's "expired meter" ticket.

With 4 more parking tickets pending.

Two tickets are mine. Both have yet to appear in the NYC DOF system. May show up within the next 2 to 3 weeks.

The other 2 are DA's.

One was his "hidden pedestrian ramp" ticket. Which the NYC DOF found him "guilty." Which he paid in full, $195. (You have to pay it to appeal it.) We are now appealing it. We're waiting for the NYC DOF Appeals Board to review our appeal.

And he has a "double parking" ticket. I put in a defense online about three months ago. We're waiting for that to be adjudicated. Currently, it is "Hearing Pending" in the NYC DOF system.

Pop Quiz: NYC Parking Rules

2007-04-09T16:38:00.000-07:00

Sadly, too many NYC drivers are clueless when it comes to NYC parking rules. Probably, that's how Bloomie Hall and Boss Mikey were able to rake in $578 million in 2005 and $557 million in 2004. From parking tickets, 9.5 million in 2005 and 10 million in 2004.

Source: NY1 "NYPD Issued Fewer Parking Tickets In 2005 Than Previous Year"

Too many NYC drivers learn how to park legally in NYC through trial-and-error. Or rather trial-and-ticket. So, how do you rate? Here's a pop quiz. Ready?

1. "No Standing" zone. What can you do in a "No Standing" zone? What can you not do?

2. "No Stopping" zone. What can you do in a "No Stopping" zone? What can you not do?

3. "No Parking" zone. What can you do in a "No Parking" zone? What can you not do?

4. Fire hydrants. How far away does your car have to be from a fire hydrant? What if it's a busted hydrant?

5. Parking or standing is not allowed in front of a ____________ .

6. Parking or standing is not allowed within ______ feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.

7. Parking or standing is not allowed within ______ feet of traffic light or "STOP" sign or "YIELD" sign.

8. Parking or standing is not allowed within ______ feet of a fire station driveway or within ______ feet on the opposite side of the road.

9. Parking or standing is not allowed along a curb that has a _____________________ .

10. A bus stop is a "No Standing" zone. Where does this specific "No Standing" zone start and end? Can you in your private vehicle pick up and drop off passengers at a bus stop?

Sources: The NYC DOT and the NYS DMV Driver's Manual and "Got Tickets? Your Guide to Parking Ticket Hearings"

Look for the answers in the next posting.

4/9/07--The PTF Record Updated

2007-04-09T15:53:00.000-07:00

Another PTF battle record update. As of 4/9/07, lost 1, won 6, all 7 fought at in-person hearings.

Today, Mon., April 9, 2007, went back to the Staten Island Business Center for the 3rd time to fight two more of the exact same BS violations. Code 62, parked "beyond marked space."

Both tickets claim my Honda Pilot was parked illegally "in front of 1 Richmond Terrace." That's the entrance to the Staten Island Ferry, on the S.I. side. It's impossible to violate code 62 since there are no markings which indicate where you can park. The entrance to the S.I. Ferry is a "No Parking," "No Standing," "No Stopping" zone. Almost anyone who lives on S.I. would know this.

Anyway, I ended up with the same Nazi parking ticket judge, ALJ Parnes. He dismissed both tickets. He claimed both had illegible plate numbers written on the tickets. Which was true.

However, I think he dismissed both for illegibility because he didn't want to be forced to admit he had made an error in judgement when I was there the first time. The first time I was there he found me guilty of violating code 62 "in front of 1 Richmond Terrace." Which was impossible.

That first "1 Richmond Terrace" ticket I did appeal. And the NYC DOF Appeals Board reversed it. (As of 4/9/07, I still haven't received my refund. Damn it! Give me back my money. You thieves.)

Lesson learned: The due process for parking tickets in NYC "works" if you appeal after you're found guilty. If you do not appeal, then the whole system is 100% setup against you.

The PTF: "Can you say Nazi judge? Nazi Germany?"

See the classic 1961 movie Judgment at Nuremberg starring Spencer Tracy. The movie is about the trial of certain judges who executed Nazi law.

The PTF Battle Record Update

2007-03-31T18:39:00.002-07:00

After parking my Honda Pilot in the driveway, guess what was in my mailbox? A letter from the Appeals Unit of the NYC Dept. of Finance.

I had totally forgotten about the appeal I had mailed out on March 12, 2007. Which I received on March 31, 2007. I think, relatively, quick for the government of NYC.

Anyway, the Appeals Unit upheld ticket # 1127301196. But reversed the other two tickets, # 1120906982 & # 1120914980. So, I should eventually be refunded a total of $90 to the same credit card I had used to pay all three tickets. As of 3/31/07, I had not been refunded.

Here's a breakdown of all my tickets that were in the NYC Dept. of Finance's system and that I fought.

Total tickets fought: 5

Total amount if paid without disputing: $275

Total amount dismissed by the summons clerk: $55

Note: The summons clerk is the person you see, after you request to dispute your ticket(s), but before you see the parking ticket judge (i.e., an ALJ or Administrative Law Judge). The summons clerk checks for technical errors and dismisses tickets with technical erros. And offers to settle out of court (i.e., a reduced fine) with you for tickets he or she finds to be technically correctly.

Total tickets judged "not guilty": 1

ALJ Mitchell H. Parnes claimed that the registration expiration date for this one was illegible. Therefore, he dismissed it. Even though the summons clerk found no technical errors for this one. So, what's up with that? I'll explain in a later post.

Total tickets judged "guilty": 3

Total amount for "guilty" tickets: $155

Total tickets appealed: 3

Total tickets the Appeals Board upheld: 1

Total tickets the Appeals Board reversed: 2

Total amount of expected refund: $90

Lost: 1, won: 4

The one I lost on appeal I claim to be a mockery of the law. But, anyway, I am surprised how well I did. For someone who is not a lawyer. By the way, you don't have to be a lawyer. Although a knowledge of the law is a big plus, of course.

Unfortunately. There are two more parking tickets that have yet to show up in the NYC DOF's system. So, the fight, the battle, the war never ends. Stay tuned.

A Tale of Three Tickets, Part III

2007-03-18T20:10:00.000-07:00

Finally, after waiting for four weeks, DA's "Hidden Pedestrian Ramp" story aired Tues., March 13, 2007, in the 10pm edition of Fox 5 News.

See DA in "Shame, Shame, Shame: Pedestrian Ramps" by Arnold Diaz, Fox 5 News.
[Technical Note: You need Macromedia Flash Player 8 to play the video. And a broadband connection.]

The "Shame, Shame, Shame" segment was super. I loved it. I was pleasantly surprised by the induction of the NYC Dept. of Transportation into "The Hall of Shame." It was the cherry on top of the sundae.

I'm still puzzled by the NYC DOT's refusal to acknowledge any wrong-doing. And NYC gov.'s refusal to reverse DA's guilty decision. PR-wise, it only makes NYC gov. look like a bunch of thieves and con artists. (Which they are. I and every other NY-er with, at least, half a brain think so.)

The PTF: "Thank you! Arnold Diaz and Fox 5 News."

Sadly, DA was found guilty of "blocking a pedestrian ramp." He consulted with a lawyer friend. And he was advised to pay the $195 balance (the $165 fine plus a $30 penalty). Which he did that same Tues. when his segment aired.

His lawyer friend didn't want NYC gov.'s lawyers to accuse DA of being a scofflaw by DA's refusal to pay it after (an unusually quick) guilty decision. Which would have made DA's planned lawsuit against NYC gov. weaker. (Made sense to me.)

DA's fight against City Hall ain't over by a long shot. To be continued.

A Tale of Two Tickets, Part II

2007-03-11T20:43:00.000-07:00

Sadly, now "A Tale of Three Tickets, Part II"

DA got another ticket, his third parking ticket, an expired meter ticket.

Now, an update on DA's "hidden pedestrian ramp ticket" segment with Arnold Diaz.

According to an e-mail from AD. DA's hidden ramp story will air on Fox 5 News, Ch. 5, 10PM edition, on Tues., March 13, 2007. Another "Shame Shame Shame" segment with AD.

Hopefully, someone from my day job will be able to tape it for me. I've asked everyone I know from my day job who has cable TV or DirecTV to make a copy for me. I'm poor. I only have free TV at my home.

Also, about four weeks ago, I filled out an online defense for DA's hidden pedestrian ramp ticket. Not surprisingly, some incompetent parking ticket judge quickly found him guilty.

These parking ticket judges don't seem to know how to use Google Maps (maps.google.com) or know how to read a map. Or even have any maps on hand.

Of course, you, the defendant have to do all the work. Take dozens of photos. Photocopy maps. Draw a diagram. And send in a DVD with a DVD-player, of course.

The PTF: "Yo, judge. Learn how to read a $#%&@ map!"

To be continued in "A Tale of Three Tickets, Part III"

Covert Parking Tix Surge on S.I.

2007-03-11T20:20:00.000-07:00

About two weeks ago, around 9pm, I was walking from the S.I. Mall to my parent's house on xxxx Loop. When I got to the Loop, I saw a NYPD cruiser ticket a 1950's-style hot rod. Neither officer got out of their cruiser, placed the ticket through their opened car window.

After the cruiser left the loop, I looked at the ticket. Expired inspection sticker. The hot rod's inspection sticker was a few months past. Not odd.

But what was odd was that I saw that cop cruiser in the Loop at all. And the time, late evening, around 9pm. I've lived on xxxx Loop since the mid 80's. I've never seen anyone get a parking ticket in the Loop before. Neither have I or my father. Nor a neighbor before.

I mean that's one of the benefits of living in this mostly white middle-class neighborhood. At least, used to be, anyway. Not having to worry about traffic agents or police officers coming around your neighborhood. Trying to fill their parking ticket quotas for the day.

Then, at my day job, a co-worker who lives on S.I., told me he got a ticket for double parking in his residential area. Happened about 2 months ago. Again, mostly white middle-class. He had double-parked before often. Never got a ticket before.

At least, S.I. residents who live in the mostly white middle-class neighborhoods don't have to deal with daily visits from traffic agents and police. Looking to fill their daily quotas.

I'll take bit-by-bit covert ticketing over daily harassment, any day. I wouldn't want to own a car in any of NYC's low income minority neighborhoods. Or mostly immigrant neighborhoods.

The neighborhood, where my parents' business is located, Bushwick, Brooklyn, is predominantly Hispanic and low-income. There is a constant cat-and-mouse game played by residents and traffic agents and police officers. And, of course, the usual monthly parking tix blitz.

In the last tix blitz, my father got a completely bogus ticket for having a thin plastic frame around his license plate. Allegedly, obscuring his plate number. I didn't know that many of our police officers and traffic agents had such poor eye sight. Any thin plastic frame around any plate completely makes the plate # impossible for them to read.

The PTF: "Eat more carrots! You blind bats."

P.S. A parking tip for my fellow S.I. residents. Take off that frame on your plate. Do it now!

A Tale of Two Tickets, Part I

2007-02-01T18:18:00.000-08:00

A co-worker of mine at my current F/T day job got a $165 parking ticket for blocking a pedestrian ramp in Dec., last year, 2006. Then, in Jan., this year 2007, he got a $115 ticket for double parking.

Lets call him DA, his initials. He originally hails from Haiti. He speaks fluent French and English. But is not familiar with the American legal system. He's a regular working man. Not rich, but not poor either.

But what regular working stiff has $290 to blow on two parking tickets? The $165 fine + a $10 (late response) penalty + the $115 = $290 total.

He wanted to pay them. But didn't have the cash. Therefore, the $10 penalty for the first ticket, the $165 one.

The $165 ticket was for blocking a pedestrian ramp.

On Dec. 18, 2006, at night, he parked his Honda sedan in front of 525 Empire Blvd., Brooklyn. At mid-block, without any crosswalk or a traffic light. Then, in the morning, Dec. 19, 2006, he found a computerized parking ticket under his wiper. For blocking a pedestrian ramp.

But why would the NYC Dept. of Transportation build a pedestrian ramp in the middle of the block without a crosswalk or a stop light? What mom with a baby stroller or a person in a wheelchair would attempt to cross a street at the middle without either a crosswalk or a stop light?

After a search on the Web, the answer was disturbing. (Source: the newspaper of the politics of driving, www.thenewspaper.com) In 2005, Arnold Diaz exposed the creation of hidden ramp ticket traps. The NYC Dept. of Transportation was installing pedestrian ramps in the middle of the block without any paint to mark the ramp. And without painting a crosswalk or installing a stop light.

Innocent drivers couldn't see them. But the traffic agents knew where the hidden ramps were. If you were lucky, you only got a $165 ticket. If you were unlucky, you got a $165 ticket. Plus, your auto was towed away. For which, a $185 tow fee was added to your $165 ticket.

I was angry to realize that DA was a victim of a ticket trap set by the government of NYC. The people we expect to enforce the law. Not abuse the law for its own profit. What the $%#&! is going on here?

So, I e-mailed Arnold Diaz, now at Fox 5 News, about DA's hidden ramp ticket. He responded the same day. After a few days of trying to contact DA. I was able to connect DA with AD.

DA wanted to pay the hidden ramp ticket. But I told him that doing so would mean that he would be admitting guilt. When, in fact, he was obviously not guilty. Only a victim.

Currently, DA is working with AD to tell his story of entrapment. Stay tuned.

To be continuted in "A Tale of Two Tickets, Part II"

The Ongoing Saga of Ticket # 112730119-6

2007-01-22T19:04:00.000-08:00

To recap, parking ticket # 112730119-6 was the 1st of the 4 tickets written up while my Honda Pilot was parked in a private parking lot. Issued on 11/04/2006, for violating code 70. Allegedly, parked in front of XXXX, which is about one block away from where it actually was parked.

I was fined $65. Then penalized $10 for not responding within 30 days of 11/04/06. I would have responded within 30 days, if the ticket was under my wiper. However, no ticket was waiting for me that Sat. I didn't find out until after I got my 2nd and 3rd tickets, both on Sat., 11/11/06. That, to my surprise, I had been issued a ticket on the previous Sat., 11/04/06.

Now, jumping back to today, Mon., 1/22/2007. In the afternoon, I checked my mailbox. And guess what the #@%&!-ers toiling away at the New York City Department of Finance, Adjudication Division, were so very nice to offer me.

They offered to reduce my amount due from $75 to only $43. Wasn't that so very generous of them? A reduction of 43%, $32 off. And I didn't even ask for a reduction.

There is a small catch, of course. If I mail in the reduced amount due, then a Parking Violation Bureau judge will NOT review my case. In other words, implicitly, I'm admitting guilt.

The PTF: "Dear NYC Dept. of Finance: With all due respect, thanks but no thanks. You can take your #$%&! reduction and shove it up your #@&$! Sincerely yours, The Parking Ticket Fighter"

Why am I so angry? Shouldn't I be grateful? Hardly. I mean, they're trying to get me to settle out of court. In other words, it's really all about money. They need money now, ASAP. It's not about justice, guilt or innocence. All NYC gov. gives a $#%! about is my money.

Should I settle? I'd have to be a complete idiot to settle out of court. Because the 2nd of my 4 tickets was for the same code violation, which was dismissed already. A $65 fine reduced to $0. So, I think, I'll take my chances with the PVB judge, again. If the judge rules against me, I'll appeal and ask for deferment of payment.

The PTF: "I go all the way, baby. That's how I roll."

Common Misconception #2

2007-01-21T15:09:00.000-08:00

Again, there's no particular reasoning behind my numbering of these misconceptions. Read them in any order you want.

Anyway, common misconception #2 is the Average Mindless Brainwashed Drone's ignorant fear of his or her car being towed away for unpaid parking tickets.

Yes, of course, I know NYC regularly tows away cars for unpaid parking tickets. If you flagrantly rip up your parking tickets and refuse to pay, then you shouldn't be surprised when you find your vehicle missing one day.

However, if you plead "not guilty" and decide to fight your ticket(s). Requesting a live hearing or a hearing by web or by snail mail (available in NYC). Then NYC, by law, can't take any actions against you until a judge has heard or read your defense. Of course, assuming you've properly responded to any previous parking tickets.

In the U.S. of A., it's called "due process." Ever heard of "due process"?

You should have learned all about it by junior high school or by, at least, high school. (Should have, but didn't. Or did you forget?)

AMBD: "What the heck is due process? And what does it have to do with parking tickets?"

The PTF: "Well, I'm glad you asked my little AMBD. I'll keep it as simple as possible. I promise."

This is how "due process" works in the City of New York as it pertains to parking tickets.

After you get your parking ticket, you can either check off "guilty" and send in your payment (the loser's choice). Or you can check off "not gulity" and send in your defense (the winner's choice). Or, of course, you can always rip up your ticket(s) and throw them away (the retard's choice).

So, as long as you filled out a "Hearing-by-Web" form or snail-mailed in your defense within 30 days of the day the ticket was issued. The government of NYC cannot tow your car away or take any other actions against you. (Again, assuming, you've properly responded to any previous parking tickets.)

Until you receive a "fair hearing" when you can defend yourself in front of an "impartial" judge (in person or by web or by snail mail). If the PVB judge rules in your favor, your ticket is dismissed. However, if the PVB judge rules against you, then and only then do you have to pay the fine.

After that, you pay. But you can appeal the judge's decision. (That's your God-given American right to. Don't forget it.) And you can ask for a delay of payment because you're indigent (a fancy word for poor). A delay of payment until your appeal is heard by the Appeals Board.

That's how it works in NYC. (For other cities, may vary a little or a lot. Check out your city government's website.)

"Fail to use it; you'll lose it."
--The Parking Ticket Fighter

Web Sources:
Yahoo! Answers: What is meant by due process of the law?

Wikipedia: Due Process

Common Misconception #1

2007-01-21T13:56:00.000-08:00

There's no rhyme or reason to the order I've numbered these misconceptions. At least, as far as I can figure.

So, here's common misconception #1.

Average Mindless Brainwashed Drone: "Don't you have to go to court to fight your ticket? I don't have the time. It's just easier for me to pay it."

The Parking Ticket Figher: "No, fool! It's the 21st century. You live in the city of the world, New York City. If you get a parking ticket here, you can dispute your ticket or tickets by web, by snail mail, or in person at a live hearing."

Of course, which method you choose to dispute your ticket depends on the code you violated and the defense you've crafted. But I'd say that most of the time dispute your ticket or tickets by web or by snail mail.

By mail, if your defense has to be backed up with photocopied documentation and/or photos.

As a side note, concerning photos, do NOT only send in one photo. Take photos of the street, corner to corner. You want the judge to see the whole street. Leave his or her honor without any doubt.

You wouldn't know this. I don't blame you. The Parking Violations Bureau's judges expect you to know this. How you'd know this if you've never fought a parking ticket before is a mystery to me.

If your defense requires a witness or can be strengthened by your persuasive account of what happened that day or night, then ask for a live hearing in court.

I learned all this from Beat That Parking Ticket by ex-PVB judge Haskell Nussbaum. I paid $5.99 to download the e-book version from his website (the link is on the left side of this web page). The most practical knowledge I've ever gotten from a book for only six dollars.

"It's not about losing or winning. It's all about the fight. Losers hate to fight. Winners love to fight."
--The Parking Ticket Fighter

The Story of Ticket # 112090698-2

2007-01-19T16:46:00.000-08:00

I love this beautiful little story of my parking ticket # 112090698-2. Because it has a happy ending.

To make a long boring story a short boring story, I got this ticket Sat., Jan. 6, 2007. For violating traffic code 61. For which I was fined $45. Which I had no $#@&* intention of paying.

I was all set to fight it. If the judge ruled against my claim, I was ready to appeal it. And, if I failed in my attempt to appeal, I was ready to notify all local TV news stations and newspapers of the injustice I had suffered heroically.

But, alas, that was not to be. Because the ticket was filled out by someone who never learned to write properly.

"You see? Public education does work. For me, anyway, in this case. All you public schools keep doing the same damn mediocre job you're so good at. Good job!"
--The Parking Ticket Fighter

My educated guess is that the Parking Violations Bureau's imperfect scanning technology couldn't make out the first letter of my plate number. No plate number, no ticket.

From the day I got it, Sat., Jan. 6, 2007, to today, Fri., Jan. 19, 2007, I checked daily to see if it would finally make its existence known. Of course, I checked online today. Still not in the PVB's database.

Which just goes to show you that you should first see if it's actually in the PVB's system. Instead of sending your payment in ASAP. I don't know any statistics on this. But my guess is that way too many people waste their time and money immediately mailing in their payment. Without even checking to see if their ticket's actually in the PVB's database.

Of course, I don't advocate paying your tickets ASAP. Only pay it, if after having your defense heard, the PVB's judge rules against you. Even after that you should always file a motion to appeal. (Only sounds more complicated than it really is.) It's your American right to fight the ticket and to appeal it if ruled against. That's how it's supposed to work in the USA.

"Damn brainwashed mindless drones! Fight the programming! Does the government of NYC work for you or do you work for it?"
--The Parking Ticket Fighter

Long Live the Fighters!

2007-01-17T19:09:00.000-08:00

"Fight! Appeal! Publicizie!"
--The Parking Ticket Fighter

"Fight, fight, fight! Never surrender!"
--TheParking Ticket Fighter

Greetings, my fellow fighters. I used to be a typical brainwashed New Yorker. Get ticketed, pay ticket without a fight.

That is until I got four parking tickets, over the course of three months, from Nov. 2006 to Jan. 2007. All four at the same location where my Honda Pilot was inside a private parking lot. You have to pay $7 to park inside. But without any walls or fences to keep out traffic agents or the police.

When I saw those two parking tickets waiting for me under my wiper, something inside me snapped. The main reason I parked inside this private parking lot was to avoid those $#%&! traffic agents. This didn't make any sense to me. "Does not compute! Illogical! Computer shutting down! Crash!"

From that day on, I have dedicated my life to freeing my fellow New Yorkers from their brainwashed, mindless drone existence. I will fight each ticket. I will appeal each ticket. I will publicize each ticket.

I shall fight until my last breath.