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Beware: A New York City Parking Ticket Scam

Posted by Larry Berezin on Mon, Nov 09, 2009 @ 05:15 PM
  
 

This week on Larry's Blog we are alerting our clients, website visitors, and friends to two NYC parking ticket scamsparking ticket nyc,nyc parking ticket, parking tickets

Have you ever felt the sting of a parking ticket warrior's scanner for parking in front of a pedestrian ramp located in the middle of the long street of a 'T' intersection? The price tag is $165, ouch! The DOF does not offer a reduction of your fine for this violation in exchange for pleading guilty.  The horrors of the NYC parking ticket wars.

Have you ever thought to yourself in a quiet moment, or when you are screaming in the shower about this injustice, that it really makes no sense to prohibit parking in front of a pedestrian ramp in the middle of the block, with no crosswalk markings or traffic devices controlling the flow of traffic? Why would anyone cross the street at this location. It is dangerous.

Great Decision

In December, 2008 the pedestrian ramp parking rule was amended. The NYC driving public is now permitted to park in front of a pedestrian ramp located in the long street of a 'T' intersection. Here is the amended rule as set forth on the DOT Website:

"Effective December 2008, the New York City Traffic rules have been modified to allow parking at some "T" intersections, those without traffic signals or all-way stop signs or crosswalk markings. These locations have caused confusion in the past, as they were not clearly delineated as spaces for pedestrians or cars. The rule change has enabled the Department to put them in the category appropriate for each location, making it clearer for motorists, pedestrians and enforcement agents. Parking is now permitted at those "T" Intersections where the adjacent (major) street is not marked with a crosswalk and not controlled by all-way stop signs or traffic signals, even if there is a curb cut at that location."

The Scam

The problem is that some of the parking ticket warriors are still issuing parking tickets for this "former" violation, knowing full well it is no longer a parking violation. What makes matters worse is that many members of the NYC driving public continue to pay the hefty fine. 

Why is this scam allowed to continue?  Take a guess. Here are three choices:

  • The offending warriors were all on vacation in December, 2008 and  missed the class about the change in the pedestrian ramp law?
  • Revenue
  • Revenue

A call to action

Shame on these warriors, shame on the DOF and shame on the DOT for allowing this nefarious practice to continue. Stop this bad behavior immediately!

If you have suffered the sting of a warriors scanner unjustly for this "former" violation, please let me know the details. I will send this evidence to a multitude of news outlets, the DOF and DOT, and do my best to continue to publicize this scam.

Do not pay the parking ticket. It is no longer a violation. When you are right, FIGHT!

nyc parking ticket, parking ticket, parking rule

 Were you caught in this scam? Just don't sit there, take action!

 

 

If you found this article helpful, you may wish to share it with your friends. Simply click on the above social media buttons of your choice. Thanks, Larry

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Comments

Hello, 
 
 
 
I just received one of these tickets today (1/22/10) at 175 Claremont Avenue. I was writing the exact arguement you have above (no crosswalk, no crossing sign) and also noted that the curb was not painted to indicate a "No Parking" zone while every hydrant and driveway on the block was behind a painted curb. I was unable to enter a non guilty plea online because the ticket had not been processed yet and I am glad I found your website first. Any advice is much appreciated, thanks so much for taking the time to care - it's obvious how much you do by the depth and dedication apparent on this site. 
 
 
 
Best, 
 
 
 
Samantha
Posted @ Friday, January 22, 2010 5:41 PM by Samantha Freeman
I also received a ticket for this very same violation. I was visiting my sister up in the Inwood neighborhood over Halloween weekend. She swore it was now okay to park there, and so I did. I had an out of state rental car, so maybe they thought I would just pay the fine without thinking to question it? I'm glad I found your blog post, you helped me write a great letter of protest. I sent it in sometime in mid November, so I check the DOT's website thisweek and it still says "hearing pending". 
 
I will keep you posted on my progress. If they don't overturn it, do I have another opportunity to protest the fine?
Posted @ Wednesday, January 27, 2010 6:11 PM by Rebecca
Samantha 
Thanks so much for visiting our web site. I'm sorry I missed your comment. I hope it is not too late. 
 
If you follow the process in this article, you should be fine. A couple of the keys are: 
 
1. Make sure you take photographs that identify the location of the pedestrian ramp, and the street sign. I just posted a great video about taking photographs to submit to the DOF 
 
2. You may wish to copy the email I received from the DOT and posted in this article. 
 
Again, my apologies for the delay. Please let us know how you do. 
Good luck.
Posted @ Thursday, February 04, 2010 7:46 PM by Larry Berezin
Rebecca 
Thanks so much for your kind words. They mean a lot to me. You should definitely win; but, if not, you can appeal within 30 days of an adverse decision. 
 
Please let me know how you do. 
Good luck. 
Posted @ Thursday, February 04, 2010 7:48 PM by Larry Berezin
I received this ticket and was towed as well (totaling $350!!!) 
 
I took pictures of where I parked and submitted my ticket for a hearing (my status as of this posting is hearing pending). 
I will let you know the outcome. 
 
I also stopped the traffic agents on the street and after asking about 10 agents not one of them claimed to be aware of this law change and even one had the nerve to say that the law was never changed and that there must be a mistake on the DOT website (even after showing her the printout).  
 
What can we do to stop this?
Posted @ Tuesday, February 16, 2010 12:48 PM by Yehudah
Hi, 
I received this ticket last night (2/22/10) at 236th and Van Cortland. I plan to submit the DOT web site, your print out and my pictures. Another thing is that on the ticket, the address used for place of occurrence is actually about 3 car lengths away from where I was parked. I was closer to another house on the other side of 236th St.  
 
I have one question. Does it matter if I mail this in? I'd rather not go in person. Thanks. This is a great site and a wonderful service. 
Marie
Posted @ Monday, February 22, 2010 2:08 PM by Marie
I have been corresponding with the staff of Assemblywoman, Ann-Margorette Carozza of Bayside Queens about the scam about parking in what is called "Curb Drops" or "Curb Cuts" in the middle of streets without any signs posted. The Staff members have looked over my documentation and photos and told me to file these legal papers with the DOT, PVB and NYC Comptrollers Office. 
Thus far, trying to obtain the exact addresses in which to file my papers has been frutal. The address Of The NYC Comptrollers Office I received as 1 Centre Street, NY Rm 1225. Can not get the exact addresses for The DOT and The PVB in order to file papers. I am filing the petition in The NYS Court, County Of Queens, but must submit the packages to the proper Departments and get signed affidavits from each before submitting the package to the courts. 
Please help me obtain the proper addresses for filing so that I may proceed to pursue this action against the public. My petition reads "Conspiracy To Defraud The Public". 
Thanking you in advance, 
I am, 
Martin Schwartz 
Please call me at 
718 225-7234
Posted @ Monday, March 22, 2010 9:05 AM by Martin Schwartz
got one of these pedestrian ramp tickets and tows about 2 weeks ago. just pleaded NOT guilty online which does not allow for pictures. i gave a link to the above T intersection law change. and wrote the last two sentences. Ticket was given on washington ave @ carol street, next to brooklyn botanical gardens "bbg". hope to report good news as a NOT guilty online plea is pretty easy. but as of NOW i see NO posts where this has been successful. thanks for the info ! contact me if you need details for your fight.
Posted @ Friday, April 16, 2010 3:27 PM by joe
Joe 
Thanks for sharing your critically important parking ticket story. We all must be absolutely aware that this bad behavior is continuing. 
 
JOB WELL DONE. 
 
MY only concern is I urge our readers not to submit disputes online, for many reasons.  
1. You can't submit documents 
2. You can't submit photos 
3. You can't submit sworn statements, among others. 
 
Please keep me posted. If you lose because of online hearing, I recommend you appeal! 
 
Good luck.
Posted @ Tuesday, April 20, 2010 1:47 PM by Larry Berezin
Thanks for your info on this scam...I got one such ticket on Bleecker street. I took several pictures. I will be appearing IN PERSON with DOT's 2008 change in law and my pictures to contest this parking violation!! 
Posted @ Thursday, April 22, 2010 2:01 PM by joe
Joe 
Thanks for taking your valuable time to visit our website and sharing your pedestrian ramp experience. I'm real happy we helped. 
 
Good luck. Please tell us about the outcome.
Posted @ Friday, April 23, 2010 8:51 AM by Larry Berezin
Many thanks to Google and this web site for revealing this scam. 
 
I appeared in person to contest this pedestrian ramp ticket. 
 
Here is the DECISION AN ORDER that was issued- 
The respondent has been charged with violating Traffic Rule 4-08(f)(7) by stopping, standing or parking a vehicle in a manner which obstructs a curb area which has been cut down, lowered or otherwise constructed or altered to provide access for persons with disabilities. Googlemaps show the ramp is in the middle of the block and there is no marked crosswalk or traffic sign or signal. Not Guilty. 
 
The administrative law judge told me that he was aware of this problem as he has seen this come before him on several occasions. He did not require any evidence from me. 
 
The entire process to NO MORE than 15 minutes from the time I entered 66 John Street. 
 
Once again, I thank Google and this site for enlightening this NYC PVB SCAM!
Posted @ Thursday, April 29, 2010 2:01 PM by Joe
Joe, 
Thank you very much for your kind words and vote of confidence. It means a great deal to me. 
 
I am thrilled for the intelligent way you approached your parking ticket dispute. You did your homework and made the judge aware you knew the rules; and the pedestrian ramp law. 
 
You made my day! Thanks for sharing your experience and victory. It helps all of us. 
 
Posted @ Wednesday, May 05, 2010 7:38 AM by Larry Berezin
Hi Larry 
i live on a block where there is a ramp in the middle of a long block and for the third time i got a ticket. The first time they dismissed right away but the second time they said guilty which i am now waiting to go to court because i am not paying $165.  
So this morning i went to my car and it wasnt even in the ramp, my tire was not blocking but a little bit of my bumper was. I need your help with the law that dismisses this.  
 
Thank you so much 
Candice
Posted @ Wednesday, February 16, 2011 8:37 AM by Candice
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