This has been bugging me for a couple of weeks. I’ve had an extra car at my house for nearly a month now. Due to the parking situation out back I figured I’d park it a couple of blocks away, in a residential neigborhood without any posted parking regulations. Typical of me, I cruised down to check on the car after about a week and a half – just a drive by to make sure all was in good order – only to find a ticket on the windshield. Odd. Turns out the ticket was for being parked more than 48 hours in one spot. Very odd.
So I called the Parking Department who informed me that this is a regulation throughout the Borough and that since it’s a Borough ordinance no notification nor posting is required. What a load of shite.
Tell me, does this not sound like a naked revenue grab to you? Make up an entirely pointless regulation with a reasonably sized fine and make sure that the public has absolutely no way of knowing about it or taking steps to avoid it.
Of course, that’s the point. And that’s one of the biggest problems with the law and law enforcement these days. If the public is not informed of the laws – particularly petty and ill-advised laws – how can any of us be responsible, law abiding citizens? Ignorance is no excuse, I know, but I was careful to look for signage, to park hopefully where I was in noone’s way, etc. I did everything that was incumbent on me to be a good neighbor and responsible citizen and still I get nicked for something entirely beyond my control. Where’s the requirement that all levels of government provide at least the minimum consideration for the people that we’re expected to give each other? Are these laws posted? Or do you have to read the fine print in the Borough Council meeting notices to find out sort of assault We the People ought to be lubing up for next?
OK, maybe I’m nuts. But it’s damned annoying, it’s damned inconsiderate and I’m damned upset.