Parking ticket extortion by city (how much, neighborhood, living)

[inigomontoya1234]

I am from Maryland and came to Philly on business. I parked at a meter near Lombard St. & S. 18th and was extremely careful about filling it, and following sign rules. I even got quarters from a barista and filled it when it was getting low. I came outside with 12 minutes remaining, found no ticket on my windshield, and drove away. A month later I get a letter in the mail saying that I failed to pay my ticket. I responded to the ticket explaining the above and stating my innocence, and got a 2nd letter stating "once properly issued, a ticket is prima facie evidence of a violation and to be overturned upon appeal there must be evidence and testimony to prove that the ticket was not valid."

As I drive for a living, there have been times when I have been guilty and I've paid my fines without complaint. This time, I am not guilty. I am tempted to fight this on principle, but being from Maryland it would cost me way more to have to appear in Philly court. I'm sure that's what the city is counting on. According to the first letter, my fine is $36.00 and the penalty is $.05, bringing the total to $36.05.

My coworker (from Philly) recently got a speeding ticket from a camera in D.C. They claimed he didn't pay the original ticket within 30-days of $125, and so the new ticket was $250. He said he never got the first letter in the mail. He said he was guilty so a bit different.

This sucks! The system they use sucks. In my case, the only proof they need is the ticket the meter maid issued.

[CarbonCountyLiving]

Did they explain for what violation the ticket was issued? Not feeding the meter, or parking somewhere you aren't supposed to park?

There's a reason there used to be an entire show about the PPA called Parking Wars. They are brutal.

It's funny (funny weird, not funny haha) because you were parked near my neighborhood, and I see people parked like idiots all the time here. I know if I were to do the same, I would have a ticket in a heartbeat.

Whenever I park in a new area, I take pictures of my surroundings and my car to show I am parked legally. Sounds paranoid, but it seems necessary.

I wish I could offer you something more than sympathy. Good luck.

[inigomontoya1234]

thanks Carbon - good idea I will take photos from now on. the violation was 'meter-exp' which is total bs. I won't be parking at a meter in Philly any more. I'll go to a garage and pay extra.

[KansastoSouthphilly]

Sounds like you may have been feeding the meter which I don't believe you are allowed to do. People often get away with it but here it sounds like you did not.

[sj08054]

They probably ticketed you for feeding the meter. It is the type of ticket that don't usually get issue but in high turnover street parking area, they will ticket you.

It is very difficult for you to fight the fact that you didn't see the ticket but if you did park longer than the posted sign, it is a fine. Fair or not, that's a different discussion.

[inigomontoya1234]

I didn't feed the meter, there was no time limit. I was there <3 hours and fed the meter after 1:15. Extortion!

[motownewave]

Meters SUCK. And what really sucks is that even a number of private parking lots in the Philly area require people to pay a meter, no matter how much money they spend at the place of business. Some of the meters limit the user to one hour, even at places like doctor's offices, where one has to go outside IN THE COLD during an APPOINTMENT to renew...

[sj08054]

Originally Posted by inigomontoya1234

I didn't feed the meter, there was no time limit. I was there <3 hours and fed the meter after 1:15. Extortion!

What do you mean no time limit? Most of the meter in CC are 1 or 2 hours.

[inigomontoya1234]

I mean there was no sign that said two hour max or one hour max.

[sj08054]

Originally Posted by motownewave

Meters SUCK. And what really sucks is that even a number of private parking lots in the Philly area require people to pay a meter, no matter how much money they spend at the place of business. Some of the meters limit the user to one hour, even at places like doctor's offices, where one has to go outside IN THE COLD during an APPOINTMENT to renew...

If the meter limit you to 1 hour, you CAN get a ticket if you stay longer. Even if you add more time before it expires. Most big cities put that limitation to create turnover for business. Otherwise, people find it cheaper to park meter than parking lots.

They seldom follow that rule but in high traffic area, the PPA ticket write actually take notes of vehicle that park for a long time.