AUUGH! Parking Ticket on work vehicle

[Polenicus]

I can't believe I was this STUPID.

I do mobile security downtown at night. This means essentially that I drive around, and patrol buildings we're contracted to check, as well as respond to alarms.

Parking can sometimes be a little tight.

Anyway, I pulled up to one building to do a patrol. I was about an hour earlier than I usually do it, because I have new patrols on my sheet, and I wanted to give myself plenty of time to figure them out. It was 10:48 pm when I pulled up. Now, this building is TERRIBLE for contractors or tenants leaving vehicles parked in the loading space out front, and normally I have to park in front of THAT, which is a Handicapped spot. I don't think much of it, since this place closes at 7pm, and no one is going to need that spot, and there's physically no where else to park.

That wasn't the case this time. Loading zone was free, and I could easily (and legitimately, as a commercial vehicle) used the spot to do my 10 min patrol. But, out of habit, I pulled ahead into the handicapped spot.

There was virtually nothing else parked on that road, so I bet I must have looked like a jerk, because despite this being a quiet side street on the edge of the residential area, I managed to get a parking ticket. A $150 'parking in handicapped zone' ticket. In the five minutes I was actually IN the building, and not doing the exterior walk around.

Tickets come right out of our paychecks, and I'm going to Anime North at the end of the month. This is coming straight outta my con money.

I know this is 100% my fault, so I'm not crying unfairness. It just... sucks. About the only way it could have sucked worse is if they had towed me.

(Yes, I drive a marked Security vehicle, if that matters to anyone)

[bainsidhe]

Owie. I remember when I delivered pizza and tried to avoid getting tickets on campus. The only way to get anywhere near the residence halls (seriously, I mean within 3 blocks near!) was to park in the fire lane or handicapped. Usually the fire lane. I understand it's a terrible no no and all drivers rushed to beat the ticket patrol. I came ooooh so close to getting a few tickets, other drivers weren't so lucky. These were our personal vehicles so they were our personal tickets, too.

[Imprl59]

That really sucks. Yeah you probably shouldnt have parked there but I would expect a cop to have a little professional courtesy and at least warn you not to park there again before ticketing you.

Steve B.

[Polenicus]

That really sucks. Yeah you probably shouldnt have parked there but I would expect a cop to have a little professional courtesy and at least warn you not to park there again before ticketing you.

Steve B.

Actually, Cops don't write parking tickets here. It's a contract handled by private security companies (Currently held by Paladin). It's not a commission-based thing... the tickets themselves are still handled through city hall, and the security company doesn't get any of the actual ticket money, so it's not like there's a financial incentive to write someone a massive ticket. Doesn't rule out there being a quota, of course.