Saturday tickets anger visitors

**Rocko** · January-16-11, 10:08 AM

Wasn't there a big to-do a year or two ago about the fact that parking enforcement was going to start again on Saturdays? I wish they would just be consistent about it. And then make sure all the meter maids are aware of what the hell they're supposed to be doing and when.

I've successfully fought tickets again Detroit before, so I hope that those people who are pissed will do so, and the city will keep their word and forgive them.

Side note: what money is that interviewed woman referring to in Paragraph 2?

Jan. 16, 2011

Parking tickets on Saturday anger downtown Detroit visitors

BY ERIC D. LAWRENCE
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

Several visitors to downtown Detroit events Saturday were met with a surprise when they returned to their cars: parking tickets. Among them was Tabatha Johnson.

"We got a ticket? For what?" she said. "Downtown shouldn't do that. They're making enough money."

Johnson, 35, of Detroit parked on Fort Street alongside the Penobscot Building. Johnson's car and more than a dozen other vehicles near the building got slapped with $30 parking tickets. The city typically does not write parking tickets on weekends, though parking meters indicate there is enforcement from Monday through Saturday.

Mayoral spokeswoman Karen Dumas cited a mix-up, because city officials had decided that parking enforcement, aside from fire lanes and handicapped spots, would be relaxed on Saturday, the first public day of the North American International Auto Show.

After a call from the Free Press, Dumas said parking enforcement was suspended for the day.

"We don't normally write tickets on the weekends, and it's not in our best interest to do so when we have thousands of visitors" in the city, she said.

Dumas said that anyone who got a ticket Saturday can contest it.

Read more: Parking tickets on Saturday anger downtown Detroit visitors | freep.com | Detroit Free Press http://www.freep.com/article/2011011...#ixzz1BD8gOrq7

**daddeeo** · January-16-11, 12:07 PM

That's the attitude I just love from city officials. And they wonder why folks hate their guts.

**gazhekwe** · January-16-11, 12:33 PM

So, they aren't writing tickets, but they did anyway, and if I got a ticket, I have to fight it? Whaaat? Just rescind the dang things!

**mam2009** · January-16-11, 01:29 PM

Originally Posted by daddeeo

That's the attitude I just love from city officials. And they wonder why folks hate their guts.

What attitude? The official from the Mayor's Office says enforcement was suspended and the "more than a dozen" who received tickets could contest them. Today is Sunday. That's an immediate reponse. How is that an "attitude"?

Some parking enforcement employee made an error. People don't screw up at the places where you people work? I've been told over the years that once that ticket is written, unfortunately there's no going back so the ticket can't just be thrown away. If you believe it was issued in error, it is encumbent upon you to request a hearing. Hopefully, since the City is aware that they were indeed "relaxing" enforcement that day, they would then move to dismiss that ticket without you having to show up downtown for the hearing. I think that the attitude that needs to be adjusted nowadays is the notion that we are somehow not responsible for the choices that we make. The people who parked where a sign clearly reads that enforcement takes place Monday through Saturday made a conscious decision to take a chance that they would not receive a ticket, while recognizing that the possiblity of receiving a ticket existed since it is clearly stated on a sign.

**Mikeg** · January-16-11, 01:32 PM

Originally Posted by Rocko

Side note: what money is that interviewed woman referring to in Paragraph 2?

She's been watching too many episodes of "Parking Wars"!

detroitjim · January-16-11, 04:59 PM

There is a movie called "Idiocracy" .

Those on the detroit city Clowncil have done an exemplary job of emulating the politicians in that flick.

**royce** · January-16-11, 05:10 PM

Originally Posted by gazhekwe

So, they aren't writing tickets, but they did anyway, and if I got a ticket, I have to fight it? Whaaat? Just rescind the dang things!

This sounds like a money grab on the part of the City of Detroit, plain and simple. Sure, the signs say parking enforcement Monday - Saturday, but meter-maids don't work on Saturdays and so in most cases no one would be writing a ticket on Saturdays. However, regular patrol cops can still write out tickets on Saturdays if they have been ordered to do so.

Now, the city knew that people were coming down to the Auto Show and that some would be parking on the streets thinking that they wouldn't be ticketed for parking in front of expired meters. If meter-maids don't work on Saturdays, then who was the person responsible for getting things mixed-up, according to Ms. Dumas? Not their supervisors because they wouldn't have been working that day either. However, the powers that be let it be known to the police department to use some of their patrol cops who would be monitoring traffic to go ahead and give out tickets to those whose parking meters expired. Trust me, it went down that way. For Karen Dumas to say that there is this unwritten rule that parking on the streets downtown is not enforced on Saturdays and then all of a sudden it is enforced, proves my point that the powers that be in city government were out to make a quick buck.

And finally, Ms. Dumas says that people can contest the tickets. The problem with that is the hassle you have to go through. You still have to take off time from work to go to court, and then hope that the judge remembers that on the date of January 15, 2011 the city announced that any tickets written out that day are to be rescinded. Good luck with all that. It's better to just pay the ticket, and that's what the city is counting on.

**CLAUDE G** · January-16-11, 06:01 PM

Yea, contest the ticket...

How many people are not going to know better and just go ahead and pay it?

On the other hand, I parked at the Compuware building Yesterday, paid $5 and got on the people mover. Can't beat parking on the street and walking in the cold

**Lowell** · January-16-11, 06:14 PM

So you are going to waste a day, pay $10 to park to fight a $30 ticket a day? That's what they know. The alternative is to "forget" to pay the ticket if it is the only one you have had. Do you think they are going to the time and expense to hunt you down and serve you a summons for one ticket? That's what you might be thinking. Just don't let them pile up or they will.

**Lowell** · January-16-11, 06:16 PM

Also they knew last night would be perfect fo this. Auto show + Red Wings + sold out Ford Field Kid Rock concert = $$!

**East Detroit** · January-16-11, 06:20 PM

Detroit getting "uppity" again by enforcing the law?

Every other major city does not provide free parking, but Detroit should?

There is plenty of parking without having to park illegally. You might have to buy one less elephant ear in the Cobo food court, but that is life in the big city.

**thnk2mch** · January-16-11, 06:53 PM

Parking tickets in Brooklyn, NY are $115. Ask me how I know.

**stromberg2** · January-16-11, 09:20 PM

I parked today for the auto show right next to the PM stop at Cass. Car to train in about 2 minutes. No ticket when I got back, but today is Sunday.

**Fnemecek** · January-16-11, 10:14 PM

Originally Posted by mam2009

Some parking enforcement employee made an error. People don't screw up at the places where you people work?

The only way this could actually be an error would be if the parking enforcement employee in question normally works Saturdays, but doesn't write tickets. In which case, I have to ask why he or she is working on a Saturday.

It's far more likely, in my opinion, that the City was simply looking for to make some extra cash. When people started to complain, they trotted out this lame excuse.

The fact of the matter is that I'm more annoyed about the incredible lameness of this excuse than I about the tickets.

**CLAUDE G** · January-16-11, 11:48 PM

Originally Posted by Lowell

Also they knew last night would be perfect fo this. Auto show + Red Wings + sold out Ford Field Kid Rock concert = $$!

Too bad I didn't figure that one out till I went down there last night, or I would have stayed home.

**fryar** · January-17-11, 02:36 AM

OK, the whole premise here is just way beyond ridiculous. Bring the enforcement into alignment with the signage, one way or another.

**JohnnyFreddy** · January-17-11, 07:34 AM

Originally Posted by East Detroit

Detroit getting "uppity" again by enforcing the law?

Every other major city does not provide free parking, but Detroit should?

There is plenty of parking without having to park illegally. You might have to buy one less elephant ear in the Cobo food court, but that is life in the big city.

Tell me, why does your post REEK of racism?
Uppity???? Give me a break 'mutha'. That's definitely left over from last century.
Is it calling Detroit policies 'uppity' to merely question whether a promise made
by a Mayoral spokesperson is valid or not? Oh, and by the way, I've been to
'special events' in cities all across America, and they do provide
limited 'Free Parking' in quite a few incidences. And yes, Chicago would be
considered Major, so would New York City, and even Milwaukee.
Still not convinced...how about West Palm Beach, or Miami, Florida.
It happens alright. It's called,' trying to promote an event '.
....And I've never paid meter parking in Detroit on Saturday, or after six p.m.
on any weekday. AND....AND....Detroit does NOT have plenty of parking
downtown, at least not that close to major events. Ever go into one of the parking
garages and just circle, circle, circle ? I have, and it ain't fun. There's no way all those 'Mud Lot' parking lots in Detroit, with their trumped-up, gouged prices, can
fully accommodate all the cars coming downtown, especially during Three major
events at once. Besides, all the City Council members' vehicles, probably mostly ALL SUV's, take up all the good spaces !!!! I bet they're not taking
the 'Cattle Mover'.
You even throw in a contemptuous remark regarding food!!!!
"Just a bunch of fat white people coming on in from the suburbs, judging
us Detroiters again, expecting everything to be handed to you."
....is that about right, East Detroit?
Oh, and by the way, the woman making the complaint, was FROM Detroit.
Detroit is struggling. WE [[you and I, and the rest of it's inhabitants)...
...we NEED these people to come here, and spend their money, and not
just at the Casino's. We therefore, shouldn't penalize them, for trying to park
close enough to an event, without being mugged, or freezing half to death,
or even getting lost. Detroit at night, mostly vacant, closed, boarded up buildings,
homeless, beggars on the street, AND a serial rapist on the prowl. Pretty scary.
Give it some thought. And before you start in on the "Oh you poor scared little
suburbanite!!!" comments, picture YOUR loved ones in that scenario.

'Cattle
take up all the good spaces

**ja!mz** · January-17-11, 07:49 AM

I worked downtown with commercial plates for years and still got tickets when parked legally. You learn over the years to always park in a lot or garage when going downtown on the weekends for an event. Why would you even ris leaving your car on a exposed street anyways? Dont take a chance, break down and pay for parking. p.s. I'm not uppity and I don't like elephant ears....

**220hendrie1910** · January-17-11, 09:55 AM

Enforce the law if it supports my interests [[punishing break-ins, vagrancy, etc.).
Fight the law if it costs me money [[parking tickets).
Do I have Detroit all figured out now?

**milesdriven** · January-17-11, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by Lowell

S. Do you think they are going to the time and expense to hunt you down and serve you a summons for one ticket? That's what you might be thinking. Just don't let them pile up or they will.

I recently got a notice from a collection agency for a parking ticket I got on my motorcycle in 2006. I thought I was all paid up when I fought my last ticket in 2008, but apparently they checked by my plate, not by my license. If you're credit rating is not important to you, you can get a ticket or two and not pay them.

**iheartthed** · January-17-11, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by JohnnyFreddy

Oh, and by the way, I've been to
'special events' in cities all across America, and they do provide
limited 'Free Parking' in quite a few incidences. And yes, Chicago would be
considered Major, so would New York City, and even Milwaukee.
Still not convinced...how about West Palm Beach, or Miami, Florida.

Yeah right. The only way you ever got free parking in NYC is if you didn't park at a meter, or the signed meter rules were not in effect. They write tickets in New York 7 days a week.

**mam2009** · January-17-11, 12:02 PM

The story doesn't say that hundreds received tickets. It doesn't even say that dozenS received tickets. It states that "more than a dozen" received tickets which, again, to me says that someone either made an error or wasn't informed until after they began issuing tickets that enforcement was being relaxed on Saturday. The conspiracy theories are a little far-fetched folks. The unnecessary us versus them arguments don't seem to fit here. Sometimes employees don't get the message or they make a mistake. If you've never made a mistake on your job or had a misunderstanding with your boss, co-worker or subordinate, then you are not living in the real world with the rest of us.

**East Detroit** · January-17-11, 12:49 PM

Originally Posted by JohnnyFreddy

Tell me, why does your post REEK of racism?
Uppity???? Give me a break 'mutha'. That's definitely left over from last century.

Perhaps it does because you have problems with reading comprehension. Learn to read sarcasm. Learn what it means when something is in quotes. Learn to read the whole post. No shit that "uppity" is from the last century. That is why it is in quotes. To make fun of the people that think Detroit should give things for free or at a discount to everyone. Parking, hotel rooms, shoe shines, whatever.

Calling anything I say racist is the most ridiculous fucking thing in the whole world.

You have no basis to insult me and you obviously don't read anything else that I write here, either.

Learn to read.

**JohnnyFreddy** · January-17-11, 02:24 PM

Originally Posted by East Detroit

Perhaps it does because you have problems with reading comprehension. Learn to read sarcasm. Learn what it means when something is in quotes. Learn to read the whole post. No shit that "uppity" is from the last century. That is why it is in quotes. To make fun of the people that think Detroit should give things for free or at a discount to everyone. Parking, hotel rooms, shoe shines, whatever.

Calling anything I say racist is the most ridiculous fucking thing in the whole world.

You have no basis to insult me and you obviously don't read anything else that I write here, either.

Learn to read.

.....Oh yeah??????
Prove it.
You talking to me?
What, I'm here to amuse you?
My bad then........O.K.
You betcha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

**1KielsonDrive** · January-17-11, 02:34 PM

Originally Posted by Rocko

Wasn't there a big to-do a year or two ago about the fact that parking enforcement was going to start again on Saturdays? I wish they would just be consistent about it. And then make sure all the meter maids are aware of what the hell they're supposed to be doing and when.

I've successfully fought tickets again Detroit before, so I hope that those people who are pissed will do so, and the city will keep their word and forgive them.

Side note: what money is that interviewed woman referring to in Paragraph 2?

Jan. 16, 2011

Parking tickets on Saturday anger downtown Detroit visitors

BY ERIC D. LAWRENCE
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

Several visitors to downtown Detroit events Saturday were met with a surprise when they returned to their cars: parking tickets. Among them was Tabatha Johnson.

"We got a ticket? For what?" she said. "Downtown shouldn't do that. They're making enough money."

Johnson, 35, of Detroit parked on Fort Street alongside the Penobscot Building. Johnson's car and more than a dozen other vehicles near the building got slapped with $30 parking tickets. The city typically does not write parking tickets on weekends, though parking meters indicate there is enforcement from Monday through Saturday.

Mayoral spokeswoman Karen Dumas cited a mix-up, because city officials had decided that parking enforcement, aside from fire lanes and handicapped spots, would be relaxed on Saturday, the first public day of the North American International Auto Show.

After a call from the Free Press, Dumas said parking enforcement was suspended for the day.

"We don't normally write tickets on the weekends, and it's not in our best interest to do so when we have thousands of visitors" in the city, she said.

Dumas said that anyone who got a ticket Saturday can contest it.

Read more: Parking tickets on Saturday anger downtown Detroit visitors | freep.com | Detroit Free Press http://www.freep.com/article/2011011...#ixzz1BD8gOrq7

Welcome to Deetroit!! Where we gladly add insult to injury. In heaping doses. 'Say nice things about Detroit'. Come back y'all. If you're accosted... or assaulted.... or your car's broken into, hurry on down to HQ..... so we can even insult you. And then the icing on the cake - 36th District Court. One thing worse than this situation is residents and businesses that must deal with this on a daily basis.