I recently got a ticket which was undeniably disputable in front of my own apartment building in February (for parking - I was unloading equipment - "too far from the curb" in the pouring rain). After writing a letter in to contest it, I received nothing back for over four months, then got a letter stating I had "delinquent status", my vehicle registration would be withheld, I was being sent to a collection agency, and I now owed $86. My problem lies mostly with the way this was handled: I
called the Parking Violations Bureau and was told I sent the letter in with an address in Winnetka on it, somewhere I have never lived in my life, and that they would just "present this in court".
After being put on hold numerous amounts of times for 10 minutes at a time, I was told I had 21 days from when the spoke to me, would be sent a letter and would have to just pay the original amount, and had the option of contesting it. I was then sent another letter stating again that I owed the $86.
I have called several times, did exactly what was asked for, and I feel like I can't even get a court date, or a correct amount I have to pay. It is a horrible confusing mess to me, and I do not have the time to deal with it, which is obviously what they count on. I feel like I'm being screwed over, and a lot of other residents have similar or worse stories. It appears to me that the City of Los Angeles is unjustly making money off of those who cannot afford to "pay up" out of their humble salaries. I tried to write the mayor, but got nowhere.
It appears that even if you have "proof" a citation is unjust, or unlawful, it doesn't matter. Who has the time/money to hire a lawyer and go to court? This company is ridiculous, and someone needs to do something about it.
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