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."
Friday, February 8, 2008
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Dirty Judge Can't Read Map
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.
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.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Double Parking Urban Legends
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.
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.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Parking Tix in the News - Update
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."
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."
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Parking Tix in the News - Update
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."
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."
Monday, December 31, 2007
Stop the Con Game! Mayor Mike.
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
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
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Sweet Victory!
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."
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."
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