New Parking Rules (How’d You Beat Your Ticket?)
July 5, 2010 by Shopper · 11 Comments
I had no idea that the metered parking time was extended – and consequently received a ticket. It was an honest mistake and the judge dismissed the ticket – luckily.
Oakland’s Parking Fiasco
March 13, 2010 by Shopper · 9 Comments
After Oakland’s City Council raised parking fines and extended paid-parking hours last year, the public’s backlash forced them to repeal the paid-parking extension back to the original time of 6pm. So, in order to make up for that “lost” revenue, the city decided to increase parking tickets. Parking laws that hadn’t been enforced for decades were now being strictly enforced and tickets were being handed out at increasingly high rates. However, after residents began complaining to councilmembers, Parking Enforcement Officers (PEO’s) were instructed to write “warnings” to residents in certain areas, but still issue citations to residents in other areas. So, while some people got warnings for parking in the wrong direction, others would get actual tickets for the same offense. Eventually, even the PEO’s were complaining about the unequal and unfair treatment of citizens, and public hearings were held on the matter. Once exposed, officials claimed the practice had been rescinded. Tell that to the 8,000 people who got tickets.
Motorist in Fatal Crash Suspected of DUI
March 8, 2010 by Shopper · 7 Comments
A 29 year old Union City man was driving his 2007 Ford F150 drunk when he ran a red light near Oakland International Airport and collided with a 2007 Pontiac G6. A 43 year old Oakland man who was a passenger in the Pontiac was killed, while the driver, a 27 year old Richmond woman was injured with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Ford F150 has been charged with driving under the influence.
Schwarzenegger’s Plan to Catch Speeders With Cameras Faces an Uphill Battle
January 18, 2010 by Shopper · 4 Comments
The Governor’s plan to attach speed sensors to red-light cameras in order to catch motorists speeding through intersections – and, of course, fine them for their actions is running into trouble. Mainly, there are three issues: (1) it’s not allowed by current California law, (2) police agencies generally don’t support such plans, (3) ignores the most needed areas for speed sensors. As Jim Helmer, the former head of the San Jose Department of Transportation says, “This proposal is not a good one because it’s all about dollars.”
Oakland Starts New Parking Boot Program
November 12, 2009 by Shopper · 7 Comments
Starting Monday the city will launch a SmartBoot program to allow motorists to immediately pay their parking fines and be back on the road. There are about 68,000 vehicles with five or more delinquent parking tickets on file in Oakland. Officials project that the program could generate about $800,000 per year.
Currently, vehicles with five or more tickets are immobilized and immediately towed. Motorists are then forced to take an alternative mode of transportation to visit four different locations: the city’s parking division, a police station, the DMV, and the tow yard. With the new system, your car will be “Smart Booted” with instructions. Then, you’ll call a toll-free number (available 24 hours a day, seven days a week ) to pay your fines. You will then be given a 6 digit code to unlock the boot – and you’re on your way! Just don’t forget to return the boot within 24 hours.
Meter Violation
November 9, 2009 by Shopper · 184 Comments
I fed a meter until I noticed that it was stuck on 36 minutes. Fortunately, I had just been shopping and placed a brown bag over the meter. When I got back to my car, I had a ticket waiting for me, and the bag had been thrown into a nearby trash can. Fortunately, I was able to win my appeal! Woo hoo!
