Here are the items:
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Free downloads for Wilmington Residents
Simply click on the images below and print out as large as you would like to place in or on your vehicle.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Can you find the crosswalk?
This one was just sent in:
Last night (probably around 12:30) I returned to my neighborhood and parked on Rodney Street. I could not find parking that was not next to a stop sign, which I was a little wary about, having received one ticket previously for parking near an intersection (that ticket, I received fairly - I had parked after a "do not park after this sign" sign. Dumb). However, the parking spot that I chose yesterday was perfectly legal. As you can see from the pictures, I am parked near but not in the intersection of Rodney and Gilpin, there is no sign that says not to park past the stop sign, and I am a good distance off the curb, without being too far out. As you can also see from the pictures, there is a clearly laid stone crosswalk running parallel to my car up the Rodney street sidewalk, that I think we can all agree I was completely clear of. Let me emphasize again that this crosswalk crosses Gilpin street only (at Rodney).
Finally, you should be able to see from the picture that there is no depression in the sidewalk on the other side of Rodney street from my car; my point being that such a dip could reasonably be called a crosswalk. The curb is uniformly raised and there's no indication that pedestrians are meant to cross Rodney at this point (though, again, there is a clear crosswalk path running perpendicular to it across Gilpin). As there is no curb next to where my car is parked (only grass) and no stone pathway pointing across Rodney street, it is clear that there is no evidence of a crosswalk on either side.
So, what is my ticket for? Well, the violation description is "on sidewlk/crosswlk." However, as we can see from the picture, I am several inches off any grass or marked crosswalk. In the comments, the officer wrote "on crosswalk." It is clear to me at this point that the ticket was written either mistakenly or carelessly. I looked into the city code and found this section:
___________________________________________________________________________
My ticket says that I was in violation of item (3) - that I was on a crosswalk. Well, we've already established that that's not correct. However, item (2) looks pretty interesting. Of course I was within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection; I was within two feet of one. This means that I, and the person who was parked within inches of my rear bumper when I chose my spot last night, were in violation, as well at least one or possibly two cars on each side of each corner of both streets at the intersection (my neighborhood is often parked bumper to bumper). Of the three stop signs at the intersection, at least one (I didn't check the away-facing stop sign on Gilpin this morning) does not have a sign preceding it that says "No parking past this point," and the one I know of that is accompanied by that sign, it's not clear whether that sign is an attempt to let drivers know about item (2) above, or whether there's another reason it's there specific to that corner. If those signs are related to item (2) above, why are they not at every corner? Perhaps because not every intersection is a crosswalk? Who could say, besides the Wilmington parking officer who issued the ticket this morning? Certainly not many of my neighbors have any idea, or they wouldn't park so close to the intersections.
My point here is, the law needs to be more clear and more uniformly applied, or the city's parking enforcement department needs to be prepared to give drivers the benefit of the doubt, since the law is questionable and the tickets are even more so. I certainly hope that the WPD will grant my appeal, because I obviously was not in a crosswalk, but on the other hand, it is clear to me from anecdotal evidence that they are largely uninterested in clarifying their code or correcting their status as a total nuisance to people who live, work and drive in Wilmington.
Last night (probably around 12:30) I returned to my neighborhood and parked on Rodney Street. I could not find parking that was not next to a stop sign, which I was a little wary about, having received one ticket previously for parking near an intersection (that ticket, I received fairly - I had parked after a "do not park after this sign" sign. Dumb). However, the parking spot that I chose yesterday was perfectly legal. As you can see from the pictures, I am parked near but not in the intersection of Rodney and Gilpin, there is no sign that says not to park past the stop sign, and I am a good distance off the curb, without being too far out. As you can also see from the pictures, there is a clearly laid stone crosswalk running parallel to my car up the Rodney street sidewalk, that I think we can all agree I was completely clear of. Let me emphasize again that this crosswalk crosses Gilpin street only (at Rodney).
So, what is my ticket for? Well, the violation description is "on sidewlk/crosswlk." However, as we can see from the picture, I am several inches off any grass or marked crosswalk. In the comments, the officer wrote "on crosswalk." It is clear to me at this point that the ticket was written either mistakenly or carelessly. I looked into the city code and found this section:
Sec. 37-223. - Prohibited in specified places.
(a) It shall be unlawful for the driver of a motor vehicle to stop, stand or park such vehicle in any of the following places, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic, in order to comply with the directions of a police officer or traffic control sign or signal, or while operating in accordance with rules and regulations specifically authorized by the department of public works applicable to coaches and buses:
(1) Within an intersection. A driver found liable for a violation of this subsection shall be subject to and liable for a civil penalty in the amount established at Level 5.
(2) Within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection. A driver found liable for a violation of this subsection shall be subject to and liable for a civil penalty in the amount established at Level 3.
(3) On a crosswalk. A driver found liable for a violation of this subsection shall be subject to and liable for a civil penalty in the amount established at Level 3.
___________________________________________________________________________
My ticket says that I was in violation of item (3) - that I was on a crosswalk. Well, we've already established that that's not correct. However, item (2) looks pretty interesting. Of course I was within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection; I was within two feet of one. This means that I, and the person who was parked within inches of my rear bumper when I chose my spot last night, were in violation, as well at least one or possibly two cars on each side of each corner of both streets at the intersection (my neighborhood is often parked bumper to bumper). Of the three stop signs at the intersection, at least one (I didn't check the away-facing stop sign on Gilpin this morning) does not have a sign preceding it that says "No parking past this point," and the one I know of that is accompanied by that sign, it's not clear whether that sign is an attempt to let drivers know about item (2) above, or whether there's another reason it's there specific to that corner. If those signs are related to item (2) above, why are they not at every corner? Perhaps because not every intersection is a crosswalk? Who could say, besides the Wilmington parking officer who issued the ticket this morning? Certainly not many of my neighbors have any idea, or they wouldn't park so close to the intersections.
My point here is, the law needs to be more clear and more uniformly applied, or the city's parking enforcement department needs to be prepared to give drivers the benefit of the doubt, since the law is questionable and the tickets are even more so. I certainly hope that the WPD will grant my appeal, because I obviously was not in a crosswalk, but on the other hand, it is clear to me from anecdotal evidence that they are largely uninterested in clarifying their code or correcting their status as a total nuisance to people who live, work and drive in Wilmington.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Video about Wilmington Booting from the News Journal
This video from December, 2009, was just pointed out to me.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Revised request...
I realized the request I submitted on Dec. 21 was vague - so here's the request I submitted today:
Freedom of Information Act Request for Examination and copying of public records
Ken Grant Dec. 22, 2011
15 S. Dillwyn Rd
Newark, DE 19711
This is a more detailed request for some other citizens and me to inspect, examine, and copy public information about the city of Wilmington, Delaware’s parking tickets for calendar years 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011. This is in accordance with Title 29 of the Delaware Code:
§ 10003. Examination and copying of public records.
(a) All public records shall be open to inspection and copying by any citizen of the State during regular business hours by the custodian of the records for the appropriate public body. Reasonable access to and reasonable facilities for copying of these records shall not be denied to any citizen. If the record is in active use or in storage and, therefore, not available at the time a citizen requests access, the custodian shall so inform the citizen and make an appointment for said citizen to examine such records as expediently as they may be made available. Any reasonable expense involved in the copying of such records shall be levied as a charge on the citizen requesting such copy.
I am requesting access to the following information for the above noted calendar years:
- date, time, and location of alleged offense when parking ticket was issued
- specific offense (expired meter, handicap violation, too far from curb, etc.)
- all correspondence (including electronic) with the Wilmington Office of Civil Appeals concerning parking tickets
- all correspondence with the Wilmington Division of Revenue concerning parking tickets
In addition to the parking ticket information, I am also requesting information about the amount of money collected from parking meters in the city, preferably broken down by week and location – if such information is not available on a weekly basis, monthly will suffice.
We would like to review this public information on Friday, January 13, 2012.
In order to save money on paper and ink, we hope to copy the information electronically. Please advise on the best format for such an arrangement (USB thumb drive, writable disc, etc.).
Please contact me via any of the methods below with any questions and/or information about best format for copying public records.
__________________________________________
Ken Grant
302-588-4151
@kengrantde on twitter
15 S. Dillwyn Road
Newark, DE 19711
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
City expects revenues from parking ticket fines to drop...
From page 73 of the FY 2012 Wilmington Budget:
LICENSES, PERMITS, FEES, AND FINES
Basis: Trend analysis
Critical Assumption: Fines (consists of Criminal/Traffic and Parking Tickets/Booting Fines) will fall by a total of $650,000. Criminal/Traffic Fines revenue is projected to total $3.065 million in FY 2012, down a net $250,000 from the FY 2011 Budget. This revenue account consists of red-light camera fines, other miscellaneous traffic and criminal fines, and the L&I Instant Ticketing Program. While base red-light camera fines are projected to decline by $700,000, as violations decrease at older sites, $400,000 in additional revenue from the full conversion to a video capturing system instead of the still-photo one will net to an overall decline of $300,000. There is no change in miscellaneous traffic and criminal fines. Lastly, the portion of the base attributed to the L&I Instant Ticketing Program is expected to rise by $50,000 above the FY 2011 budget to match the current trend.
Parking Tickets/Booting Fines revenue is forecast to decrease by $400,000 below the FY 2011 budgeted level. Revenues will be adversely affected by the set-aside of 100 metered spaces for student parking and the change in parking regulations that now allow downtown residents to park for free at 332 metered spots. These changes occurred in FY 2011 and will continue for FY 2012.
LICENSES, PERMITS, FEES, AND FINES
Basis: Trend analysis
Critical Assumption: Fines (consists of Criminal/Traffic and Parking Tickets/Booting Fines) will fall by a total of $650,000. Criminal/Traffic Fines revenue is projected to total $3.065 million in FY 2012, down a net $250,000 from the FY 2011 Budget. This revenue account consists of red-light camera fines, other miscellaneous traffic and criminal fines, and the L&I Instant Ticketing Program. While base red-light camera fines are projected to decline by $700,000, as violations decrease at older sites, $400,000 in additional revenue from the full conversion to a video capturing system instead of the still-photo one will net to an overall decline of $300,000. There is no change in miscellaneous traffic and criminal fines. Lastly, the portion of the base attributed to the L&I Instant Ticketing Program is expected to rise by $50,000 above the FY 2011 budget to match the current trend.
Parking Tickets/Booting Fines revenue is forecast to decrease by $400,000 below the FY 2011 budgeted level. Revenues will be adversely affected by the set-aside of 100 metered spaces for student parking and the change in parking regulations that now allow downtown residents to park for free at 332 metered spots. These changes occurred in FY 2011 and will continue for FY 2012.
Just filed this request...
Freedom of Information Act Request for Examination and copying of public records
Ken Grant Dec. 21, 2011
15 S. Dillwyn Rd
Newark, DE 19711
This is a request for some other citizens and me to inspect, examine, and copy public information about the city of Wilmington, Delaware’s parking tickets for calendar years 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011. This is in accordance with Title 29 of the Delaware Code:
§ 10003. Examination and copying of public records.
(a) All public records shall be open to inspection and copying by any citizen of the State during regular business hours by the custodian of the records for the appropriate public body. Reasonable access to and reasonable facilities for copying of these records shall not be denied to any citizen. If the record is in active use or in storage and, therefore, not available at the time a citizen requests access, the custodian shall so inform the citizen and make an appointment for said citizen to examine such records as expediently as they may be made available. Any reasonable expense involved in the copying of such records shall be levied as a charge on the citizen requesting such copy.
We would like to review this public information on Friday, January 13, 2012.
In order to save money on paper and ink, we hope to copy the information electronically. Please advise on the best format for such an arrangement (USB thumb drive, writable disc, etc.).
Please contact me via any of the methods below with any questions and/or information about best format for copying public records.
__________________________________________
Ken Grant
302-588-4151
@kengrantde on twitter
15 S. Dillwyn Road
Newark, DE 19711
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Got the FOIA response!
I just got an e-mail from the city of Wilmington:
and if my math is right, it looks like the city pulled in $6,396,440 between January 2010 and October 2011.
Request for parking tickets issued from January 2010 through October 2011 as well as the number of appeals filed in that period, and of those appealed, the number of tickets reversed or dismissed.
· 162, 808 tickets issued
· 12,812 of those tickets were appealed
· Of those appealed, 2,897 were reversed or dismissed
My response:
Now I have to ask what the city defines as an appeal (something I didn't know about when I first filed this) - does that 12,812 number represent the number of tickets that were appealed to the City Office of Civil Appeals, or to JP Court 20, or both?and the city's response:
And is there a difference between a reversal and a dismissal?
These are appeals to the city’s office of civil appeals only.The state would have the records as far as how many requests for a court hearing were made in that period.
and if my math is right, it looks like the city pulled in $6,396,440 between January 2010 and October 2011.
Still waiting for that FOIA request...
On November 11, 2011, I filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the city of Wilmington - asking for the following information:
1. The Number of parking tickets issued in Wilmington between January of 2010 and October of 2011
2. The number of parking tickets that were appealed during that time
3. The number of appeals that were successful
On the form is written the following:
On December 5, (14 business days after filing) - I received an e-mail stating they were working on getting the information I requested (but no statement about the time period).
On December 8, I called the law department to follow up and see if I could get a time period - no time period was offered, and the attorney said they were having difficulty getting the information because the numbers I was asking for were kept in various departments and they don't really keep track of successful appeals.
On December 13 (20 business days after filing), I get an e-mail saying the law department has the information and would be getting it to me ASAP.
On December 15, I called the law department to ask if it would be easier to e-mail me the information and was told "No, you'll get it in the mail."
It's now December 20 (25 business days past filing) - still waiting...
1. The Number of parking tickets issued in Wilmington between January of 2010 and October of 2011
2. The number of parking tickets that were appealed during that time
3. The number of appeals that were successful
On the form is written the following:
The City's Rules of Public Access to Records require acknowledgment of a written request within fifteen (15) business days. Acknowledgment means:
I. Production of the requested documentsII. Denial of the request with stated reasons therefore; orIII Notification that an extension is needed and a statement about the time period in which the responses will be made.
On December 8, I called the law department to follow up and see if I could get a time period - no time period was offered, and the attorney said they were having difficulty getting the information because the numbers I was asking for were kept in various departments and they don't really keep track of successful appeals.
On December 13 (20 business days after filing), I get an e-mail saying the law department has the information and would be getting it to me ASAP.
On December 15, I called the law department to ask if it would be easier to e-mail me the information and was told "No, you'll get it in the mail."
It's now December 20 (25 business days past filing) - still waiting...
Starting point for discussion
Some Wilmington officials would like to meet to discuss parking ticket issues - I've sent them this document as a starting point for the discussion:
Background:
The city of Wilmington, Delaware has developed a reputation as being one of the worst cities in the region for parking ticket issues.
These issues have led to extreme dissatisfaction among residents, business owners, and visitors to the city, some businesses have cited parking ticket issues as one of the primary reasons for them leaving the city and several people avoid coming to the city for fear of getting an illegitimate ticket.
The city of Wilmington has an opportunity to address these issues and turn this around to become a model city for attracting new visitors, residents, and businesses.
Below is a list of some of the top issues identified by Wilmington residents, business owners, and visitors – along with some suggested remedies for those issues:
Item #1: Communication
From signs on the street (placement and wording) to word of mouth to conflicting experiences, there seems to be no clear understanding about the rules of parking in Wilmington. For example, the city code Section 37-263 states that money does not need to be deposited in meters on Saturdays or Sundays, yet the signs only offer the Sunday exception.
Recommendations:
- new, clearly worded signs
- brochures that local businesses could offer explaining the parking rules, similar to this - http://www.sandiego.gov/economic-development/pdf/park101.pdf
- a web page that clearly states the rules – with the web address and/or qr code clearly placed on the signs – here’s a few examples from other cities:
http://city.milwaukee.gov/mpw/divisions/administrative/parking/ParkingRegulations.htm
http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/parking/parksmart.asp
http://www.cityofboston.gov/parking/tips.asp
Item #2: Parking fines
City Fine for expired meter parking
Boston, MA $25
Cambridge, MA $25
Washington, DC $25
Philadelphia, PA $26
Baltimore, MD $32
New York, NY $35 (except below 96th street)
Wilmington, DE $40
Recommendation:
Bring Wilmington parking fines to a level that’s comparable with the region – suggested fine, $25.
Item #3: Attitude, courtesy, and professionalism of Parking Authority Staff
With several examples offered of illegitimate tickets issued (tickets to residents who have residential stickers, tickets for overdue meters while time is still on the meter, etc.) as well as complaints about treatment by Division of Revenue staff when trying to resolve ticket issues, it may be time to focus on the following:
1. keeping accurate records of tickets that are appealed and overturned on appeal
2. offering city residents, business owners, and visitors an opportunity to publicly recognize city workers for acting in a professional, courteous manner
3. offering training for professional development to city workers
Item #4: Parking kiosks
As more people are moving to a cashless society – and more cities are using parking kiosks to offer better service, the city of Wilmington should explore using these devices (this can also help for future planning by keeping an accurate record of peak times for using certain spaces).
Item #5: Loading zones
While some cities, like Wilmington, require business owners to use only commercial vehicles while using loading zones, it may be more business friendly and encourage more entrepreneurs if Wilmington were to adopt a policy like Milwaukee’s, which simply states:
“Loading zones are to be used for the purpose of, and while actually engaged in, loading or unloading property or passengers. Loading zones are not considered parking places and will be enforced accordingly.”
Item #6: Extended Time in certain areas
While a 2-hour time limit may be appropriate and necessary for parking along Market street and some of the more congested areas of the city, there are businesses in other parts of the city where business meetings can run over two hours and where the demand for parking is not high. Some of these areas also do not have garages or lots that offer hourly or daily rates, and may only be open to monthly parking.
The city should consider a 3-hour time limit in some neighborhoods.
Item #7: Parking Validation Program
City Code Section 37-281 and 37-282 authorizes a Downtown Parking Validation Program – this program should be put in place for two reasons:
1. to be in compliance with city code
2. to provide downtown business owners an opportunity to provide the service they would like to their customers
This list is by no means all-inclusive, there are several other issues that can and should be addressed and resolved with the help and support of the Wilmington community.
It is our sincere hope that the city of Wilmington will review these recommendations and work with the residents, business owners, and visitors to the city to make Wilmington, Delaware a model city for all.
Respectfully submitted,
Ken Grant
302-588-4151
Background:
The city of Wilmington, Delaware has developed a reputation as being one of the worst cities in the region for parking ticket issues.
These issues have led to extreme dissatisfaction among residents, business owners, and visitors to the city, some businesses have cited parking ticket issues as one of the primary reasons for them leaving the city and several people avoid coming to the city for fear of getting an illegitimate ticket.
The city of Wilmington has an opportunity to address these issues and turn this around to become a model city for attracting new visitors, residents, and businesses.
Below is a list of some of the top issues identified by Wilmington residents, business owners, and visitors – along with some suggested remedies for those issues:
Item #1: Communication
From signs on the street (placement and wording) to word of mouth to conflicting experiences, there seems to be no clear understanding about the rules of parking in Wilmington. For example, the city code Section 37-263 states that money does not need to be deposited in meters on Saturdays or Sundays, yet the signs only offer the Sunday exception.
Recommendations:
- new, clearly worded signs
- brochures that local businesses could offer explaining the parking rules, similar to this - http://www.sandiego.gov/economic-development/pdf/park101.pdf
- a web page that clearly states the rules – with the web address and/or qr code clearly placed on the signs – here’s a few examples from other cities:
http://city.milwaukee.gov/mpw/divisions/administrative/parking/ParkingRegulations.htm
http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/parking/parksmart.asp
http://www.cityofboston.gov/parking/tips.asp
Item #2: Parking fines
City Fine for expired meter parking
Boston, MA $25
Cambridge, MA $25
Washington, DC $25
Philadelphia, PA $26
Baltimore, MD $32
New York, NY $35 (except below 96th street)
Wilmington, DE $40
Recommendation:
Bring Wilmington parking fines to a level that’s comparable with the region – suggested fine, $25.
Item #3: Attitude, courtesy, and professionalism of Parking Authority Staff
With several examples offered of illegitimate tickets issued (tickets to residents who have residential stickers, tickets for overdue meters while time is still on the meter, etc.) as well as complaints about treatment by Division of Revenue staff when trying to resolve ticket issues, it may be time to focus on the following:
1. keeping accurate records of tickets that are appealed and overturned on appeal
2. offering city residents, business owners, and visitors an opportunity to publicly recognize city workers for acting in a professional, courteous manner
3. offering training for professional development to city workers
Item #4: Parking kiosks
As more people are moving to a cashless society – and more cities are using parking kiosks to offer better service, the city of Wilmington should explore using these devices (this can also help for future planning by keeping an accurate record of peak times for using certain spaces).
Item #5: Loading zones
While some cities, like Wilmington, require business owners to use only commercial vehicles while using loading zones, it may be more business friendly and encourage more entrepreneurs if Wilmington were to adopt a policy like Milwaukee’s, which simply states:
“Loading zones are to be used for the purpose of, and while actually engaged in, loading or unloading property or passengers. Loading zones are not considered parking places and will be enforced accordingly.”
Item #6: Extended Time in certain areas
While a 2-hour time limit may be appropriate and necessary for parking along Market street and some of the more congested areas of the city, there are businesses in other parts of the city where business meetings can run over two hours and where the demand for parking is not high. Some of these areas also do not have garages or lots that offer hourly or daily rates, and may only be open to monthly parking.
The city should consider a 3-hour time limit in some neighborhoods.
Item #7: Parking Validation Program
City Code Section 37-281 and 37-282 authorizes a Downtown Parking Validation Program – this program should be put in place for two reasons:
1. to be in compliance with city code
2. to provide downtown business owners an opportunity to provide the service they would like to their customers
Sec. 37-281. - Authorization and fund.More:
There is hereby established in the city treasurer's office a new enterprise fund, which shall commence as of August 1, 1993, and beginning in fiscal year 1995 shall be included in the annual operating budget ordinance, and which shall be a special fund to be known as the "Downtown Parking Validation Program Fund" to be funded by parking meter revenues. The purpose of the fund is to cover the costs incurred in administration of the program herein authorized.
(Ord. No. 93-047, § 1, 7-8-93)
Sec. 37-282. - Parking validation program.
(a)
Participation. The parking validation program shall consist of a service to be coordinated by the department of commerce and the economic development corporation ("WEDCO") to enable participating merchants, businesses and firms to validate the parking of their respective customers or clients, provided that a minimum threshold amount worth of purchases or fees incurred shall be required. The participating merchant, business or firm shall provide to the eligible customer or client a stamp equivalent to one hour of free parking at any participating off-street parking facility, the full cost of a DART one-way bus fare, or an amount off the price of a taxicab fare.
(b)
Costs. The cost of the parking validation program shall be borne by the participating merchant, business or firm, the participating parking facility and the city.
(c)
Administration. WEDCO is hereby authorized to promulgate rules and regulations approved by the department of commerce in connection with the administration of the downtown parking validation program, subject to the approval of the administrative board. Such rules and regulations may include but not be limited to the determination of initial funding, establishment of printing and promotional material, program support material, designation of a full-time agency person to administer and manage the program, and establishment of legal agreements subject to approval of council for participants, banks, parking facilities, bus and cab companies as may be deemed necessary.
This list is by no means all-inclusive, there are several other issues that can and should be addressed and resolved with the help and support of the Wilmington community.
It is our sincere hope that the city of Wilmington will review these recommendations and work with the residents, business owners, and visitors to the city to make Wilmington, Delaware a model city for all.
Respectfully submitted,
Ken Grant
302-588-4151
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Can't believe I didn't post this sooner...
True confession - I failed you.
I read about this a couple of weeks back and didn't think to post it at the time - it's good and useful information you should know about.
I apologize for not getting this posted sooner:
I read about this a couple of weeks back and didn't think to post it at the time - it's good and useful information you should know about.
I apologize for not getting this posted sooner:
Free Holiday Season Parking in Downtown Wilmington November 26 through December 31
Posted on 11/21/2011 3:25 pm
Parking during the holidays is very convenient in downtown Wilmington! Beginning November 26 and lasting through December 31, the City of Wilmington’s on-street parking meters will be free beginning at 12 noon each day. Specific time limits for spaces still must be adhered to, but there is no need to place coins in the meters after 12 noon.
I think this is accurate:
In doing heavy research (Google) into various parking issues, I came across this interesting piece from Garrison Frost, written in 2006. the whole post is worth a read, but I thought his rundown of the stages of getting a parking ticket are spot on:
the Eight Stages of Getting a Parking Ticket:
- Curiosity. Wha's this on my windshield?
- Surprise. It's a parking ticket!
- Indignation. I can't believe they gave me a parking ticket.
- Outrage. This isn't fair.
- Resistance. I'm going to fight this ticket.
- Activism. I'm going to get the guy who issued this ticket fired. And then I'm going to expose this unjust system that targets innocent tax-paying citizens and takes their money to fund useless government bureaucracy and pork.
- Analysis. You know, I have a lot of other things going on in my life right now that are more important than fighting this ticket.
- Acquiescence. I'll just pay the stupid thing and be done with it.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Why I filed a Freedom Of Information Act Request:
On November 11, 2011, I filed a Freedom of Information Act Request with the city of Wilmington.
I requested the following information:
1. The Number of parking tickets issued in Wilmington between January of 2010 and October of 2011
2. The number of parking tickets that were appealed during that time
3. The number of appeals that were successful
Based on the stories I've heard on WDEL's Rick Jensen show, read in the News Journal, and have received from various people, it sounds like the city is issuing a lot of illegitimate parking tickets, leading to more wasted time for city officials and more frustration for those who get the tickets.
I believe the goal should be to have as few tickets as possible appealed - this would be an efficient use of city employees time and will significantly cut down the amount of frustration currently being felt by many who live, work, and enjoy the city of Wilmington.
I requested the following information:
1. The Number of parking tickets issued in Wilmington between January of 2010 and October of 2011
2. The number of parking tickets that were appealed during that time
3. The number of appeals that were successful
Based on the stories I've heard on WDEL's Rick Jensen show, read in the News Journal, and have received from various people, it sounds like the city is issuing a lot of illegitimate parking tickets, leading to more wasted time for city officials and more frustration for those who get the tickets.
I believe the goal should be to have as few tickets as possible appealed - this would be an efficient use of city employees time and will significantly cut down the amount of frustration currently being felt by many who live, work, and enjoy the city of Wilmington.
getting a ticket before getting to the meter...
I just spent close to 20 minutes on hold at (302) 571-4320 - the phone number on the ticket - and was finally transfered to a Ms. Fletcher's voice mail and left my complaint regarding "officer" Edwards.
I am livid! I had just pulled up in front of 1200 Market St to go into Merrill Lynch and make a bank deposit when the Meter Maid walked by and mouthed to me to put money in the meter. I immediately began gathering my papers and digging in my purse from change when she circled back and started recording my license plate in her computer. I would guesstimate a minute or less had passed from the time I "parked" and got out of the vehicle.
Perhaps my outburst of "you're not really issuing me a ticket" as I began to put a dime in the meter upset her... though I think she already had her mind made up to issue one... and she then printed out a $40 "expired meter" violation and placed it on my windshield and continued on her way.
Ironically, there's a spot across the street that's missing a meter head and although there is no yellow paint, I purposely made a u-turn and pulled into a metered spot to avoid a ticket!
There's a record of my being upset since I called 911 and then was given another phone number for the city upon which I left a scathing incident report.
I am livid! I had just pulled up in front of 1200 Market St to go into Merrill Lynch and make a bank deposit when the Meter Maid walked by and mouthed to me to put money in the meter. I immediately began gathering my papers and digging in my purse from change when she circled back and started recording my license plate in her computer. I would guesstimate a minute or less had passed from the time I "parked" and got out of the vehicle.
Perhaps my outburst of "you're not really issuing me a ticket" as I began to put a dime in the meter upset her... though I think she already had her mind made up to issue one... and she then printed out a $40 "expired meter" violation and placed it on my windshield and continued on her way.
Ironically, there's a spot across the street that's missing a meter head and although there is no yellow paint, I purposely made a u-turn and pulled into a metered spot to avoid a ticket!
There's a record of my being upset since I called 911 and then was given another phone number for the city upon which I left a scathing incident report.
From another resident:
I live in LOMA on the 200 block of N. Market, so I have a residential parking permit area X. In the past 6wks I received two parking tickets for exceeding the 2hr time limit in two separate locations in the past 6wks. I have my sticker on the correct area of my car according to the City regulations. I have lived here since May 2011.
Parking ticket #1: Parked on the 200 block of N. Orange St near Del Tech in an area designated with my parking sticker- $40.
Parking ticket #2: Parked on the 200 block of Shipley St behind Zaika, Extreme Pizza, etc in an area designated with my parking sticker- $40.
I have appealed both tickets and have received a positive response on one so far. What is surprising is that the City of Wilmington has a $40 ticket for the same violation that costs people in Philly $26. I applaud the City in that they have responded in a timely manner and that I can appeal the violation via mail (instead of having to appear in court in Philly), but it shouldn't have happened in the first place. Funny how things work :) Have you heard from anyone else?
Parking ticket #1: Parked on the 200 block of N. Orange St near Del Tech in an area designated with my parking sticker- $40.
Parking ticket #2: Parked on the 200 block of Shipley St behind Zaika, Extreme Pizza, etc in an area designated with my parking sticker- $40.
I have appealed both tickets and have received a positive response on one so far. What is surprising is that the City of Wilmington has a $40 ticket for the same violation that costs people in Philly $26. I applaud the City in that they have responded in a timely manner and that I can appeal the violation via mail (instead of having to appear in court in Philly), but it shouldn't have happened in the first place. Funny how things work :) Have you heard from anyone else?
From a student living in Wilmington:
Over the course of last year and already this year i have gotten a ridiculous amount of parking tickets. I couldnt understand what was going on, i live in between 5th and 4th on Shipley street. Now i went down to the place to get my parking pass 3 days before school started so i would be prepared for the upcoming school year. When i got there i specifically requested the teller to print me a map of the Student Parking (which apparently is a part of a residential pass, which no one at the parking place ever told me) so i could make sure i could park in front of my apartment. When i go the map i was extremely excited that i could park in front of my apartment door so me and my art school roommates wouldnt get mugged or raped trying to get to my parked car over on west or tatnall.. considering there are over 25 registered sex offenders on that street.. coincidentally where you guys were trying to make us park last year. however that issue has been fixed. My current issue is that the map i had requested to be printed from the teller turned out to be an expired map. i only figured this out because i got at least 2-3 parking tickets in the same spot i park in EVERYDAY. Apparently the current map doesnt include shipley anymore. All the street signs EXCEPT the one in front of my apartment door (mid way down shipley up to 5th st) say "Residential Parking Pass not permitted". Two things, why is a student parking pass considered a residential parking pass? and Why are the idiotic and poorly trained WPA giving me tickets in a sector of shipley that DOES NOT have a sign saying i cant park there? When i called the parking place about why i'm getting tickets and they keep saying that you still need to feed the meters. Can you tell me how in what state of mind of any consciousness at all would it make a lick of sense for me to spend $100 for 6 months (which by the way is ALSO ridiculous. we are art students, we dont make a lot of money and we spend most of it on art supplies. Spending $200 dollars on 2 parking passes for the year is stupid. We are here for 8 months.. thats it 8, not 12. There NEEDS to be some sort of student parking pass for DCAD students some sort of in between so we dont have to waste those extra dollars when we dont even live in this horrid city. In case you didnt know, DCAD is the only thing is damn 'city' that brings any art and peace of mind to this disgusting pervert-filled place. Whomever decided the parking rules concerning the student parking is a true imbecile.
Basically my point in this rant is the WPA needs to be trained to look in both approved spots for the parking pass before trying to give any of us tickets and also to look up for once and check the sign to see that there is no "residential parking pass not permitted" signs, cause where i park, theres not. Another things is, if the tellers are going to give someone a map, make sure they give them the RIGHT one.
NOTE: The city says this issue has been resolved
Basically my point in this rant is the WPA needs to be trained to look in both approved spots for the parking pass before trying to give any of us tickets and also to look up for once and check the sign to see that there is no "residential parking pass not permitted" signs, cause where i park, theres not. Another things is, if the tellers are going to give someone a map, make sure they give them the RIGHT one.
NOTE: The city says this issue has been resolved
And the stories started coming:
We park our car across from our house in zone Z on Orange St. It's been parked there everyday since the city zoned the street zone Z. We got ticketed twice this week (October 21st at 11:02 AM and October 25th at 11:06 AM). I attached a picture of our truck where it is parked, and the visible "Z parking zone" sign next to our truck. 
We own, live and work in our building on the corner of 8th and Orange. Our upstairs address is 800 N. Orange St., Wilmington, DE 19801 our business address is Poppycock Tattoo, 115 W 8th St., Wilmington, DE 19801. We are annoyed that we have to continually deal with our car getting ticketed. We have to call the number on the back of the ticket, they tell us we need to send a picture to prove we have a sticker, then wait for them to "review the appeal" and in the meantime we get another ticket and have to do the process all over again. We thought the issue was resolved after months of fighting ticket after ticket when we first moved here, and now the problem is back again. We have received at least 20 unjustified tickets since we've lived here. It's extremely frustrating.
NOTE: The City of Wilmington has now addressed this issue
We own, live and work in our building on the corner of 8th and Orange. Our upstairs address is 800 N. Orange St., Wilmington, DE 19801 our business address is Poppycock Tattoo, 115 W 8th St., Wilmington, DE 19801. We are annoyed that we have to continually deal with our car getting ticketed. We have to call the number on the back of the ticket, they tell us we need to send a picture to prove we have a sticker, then wait for them to "review the appeal" and in the meantime we get another ticket and have to do the process all over again. We thought the issue was resolved after months of fighting ticket after ticket when we first moved here, and now the problem is back again. We have received at least 20 unjustified tickets since we've lived here. It's extremely frustrating.
NOTE: The City of Wilmington has now addressed this issue
Next, was this...
So, ever since Town Square Delaware published my piece on the whole parking in Wilmington issue and Rick Jensen has shared the information on his show, I've been getting dozens of stories from people about their experiences in Delaware's largest city, including:
- Individuals getting tickets for parking in handicapped parking spaces, even though they had clearly marked tags and stickers
- People finding out about their parking tickets in the mail with a late fee
- Tickets issued to business people in loading zones - while they are loading
- A car being "booted" for parking tickets from 7 years ago, which were paid, then the car owner having to pay for the boot removal, even though it was the city that was in the wrong
- As the News Journal reported earlier this year, parking tickets issued while time is still on the parking meter
I've been facing this crisis of conscience - should I continue to promote events, concerts, conferences, and more in the city of Wilmington knowing that you, my trusted friends, could be subjected to the horrors of an unjust, draconian, heartless, arguably brainless bureaucracy that seems to have no real oversight from Wilmington City Officials? While I want to support the business owners and organizations in the city who are making incredible things happen, and I want you to know about awesome events and opportunities, I can't put you at the mercy of an overzealous organization that seems to regularly ignore logic, decency, and the law in an effort to issue as many tickets as possible - legitimate or not.
Then it hit me - with every event I let you know about in Wilmington, I'll include a "Risk-o-meter" rating to let you know how much you may be at risk for getting a ticket. This will be based on the location of the event and the time of day/week.
If the risk is moderate to high, I recommend parking at a garage or using public transportation to get to the venue (my wife and I have done this a couple of times - it's fun, convenient, and cheaper than driving!).
I hope you find this useful - and please, if you have a parking story, feel free to share it with me.
- Individuals getting tickets for parking in handicapped parking spaces, even though they had clearly marked tags and stickers
- People finding out about their parking tickets in the mail with a late fee
- Tickets issued to business people in loading zones - while they are loading
- A car being "booted" for parking tickets from 7 years ago, which were paid, then the car owner having to pay for the boot removal, even though it was the city that was in the wrong
- As the News Journal reported earlier this year, parking tickets issued while time is still on the parking meter
I've been facing this crisis of conscience - should I continue to promote events, concerts, conferences, and more in the city of Wilmington knowing that you, my trusted friends, could be subjected to the horrors of an unjust, draconian, heartless, arguably brainless bureaucracy that seems to have no real oversight from Wilmington City Officials? While I want to support the business owners and organizations in the city who are making incredible things happen, and I want you to know about awesome events and opportunities, I can't put you at the mercy of an overzealous organization that seems to regularly ignore logic, decency, and the law in an effort to issue as many tickets as possible - legitimate or not.
Then it hit me - with every event I let you know about in Wilmington, I'll include a "Risk-o-meter" rating to let you know how much you may be at risk for getting a ticket. This will be based on the location of the event and the time of day/week.
If the risk is moderate to high, I recommend parking at a garage or using public transportation to get to the venue (my wife and I have done this a couple of times - it's fun, convenient, and cheaper than driving!).
I hope you find this useful - and please, if you have a parking story, feel free to share it with me.
How this all started...
My friend had received a notice in the mail that they had an overdue parking ticket and that they owed the city of Wilmington more than $100 and that the fine would continue to grow until they paid the money.
So, my friend went to the Department of Finance on the 5th Floor of the Louis L. Redding City/County Building at 800 North French Street in Wilmington, Delaware (zip code 19801).
Apparently the conversation went something like this:
Friend: I just got this notice in the mail saying that I am past due for a parking ticket and I didn’t know I had a parking ticket until just now.Wilmington Official: Are you here to pay your ticket and late fine?Friend: Well, yes, I want to get this cleared up, if I had known I had a parking ticket I would have paid it right away – is there any way to take off the late fine, since I’m just now finding out about this?Wilmington Official: It’s your responsibility to know if you have a parking ticket.Friend: Wait, are you saying I should call regularly to find out if I have a parking ticket?Wilmington Official: YesFriend: um, OK, that’s good to know in the future, but since this is the first time, can I just pay for the parking ticket?Wilmington Official: According to our computers, since you haven’t paid the ticket yet, we can boot your car.Friend: Really?Wilmington Official: Yes, you are a scofflaw and you probably don’t pay your other bills on time.
When I heard this I was shocked!
I didn’t realize it was my responsibility to make sure I didn’t have unpaid parking tickets, I do not want to be a scofflaw – I want to be a responsible citizen.
I’m sharing this because I believe you, too, want to be a responsible citizen.
So, starting today, we should make sure that we do the right thing:
Call the Wilmington Department of Finance/Division of Revenue at 302-576-2400 between 9:30 AM and 4:00 PM and say the following:
Hello, my name is _____________ and I understand it is my responsibility as a good citizen to make sure I do not have any unpaid parking tickets. Could you please check to see if I have a parking ticket? My license plate number is _____________.
Thank you very much for your help.
Again, if you want to be a good citizen and not a scofflaw, then you should call 302-576-2400 to make sure you do not have any unpaid parking tickets.
Oh, and since we all learn new things from these experiences, I encourage you to share any new information you gain from your phone calls in the comments section.
I hope this effort at public service is useful and effective.
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