29th Street Ballroom
Public Needs to Know Laws Better Than Police
RECEIVED Tue., Feb. 5, 2008
Dear Editor,
It is very frustrating not to be able to rectify situations that need to be resolved because of principle. One such experience was a parking ticket I received for parking within 30 feet of a stop sign. I was unaware of this rule, and I was very willing to pay the fee until I called the police station to find where the rule is stated. To my surprise, no one was aware of this parking violation. Their response was that they are not part of parking enforcement. My question is, if the police do not know the law, how am I expected to be aware of it? One officer thanked me for informing her of this rule because she parks “at least 10 feet from stop signs” and did not know the minimum was 30 feet. The only way to contest this ticket is to go to court, which would cost me more in time than to pay the $20 penalty. I am writing this to warn the general public that they need to know the laws better than local police and to please stay clear of stop signs.
It is very frustrating not to be able to rectify situations that need to be resolved because of principle. One such experience was a parking ticket I received for parking within 30 feet of a stop sign. I was unaware of this rule, and I was very willing to pay the fee until I called the police station to find where the rule is stated. To my surprise, no one was aware of this parking violation. Their response was that they are not part of parking enforcement. My question is, if the police do not know the law, how am I expected to be aware of it? One officer thanked me for informing her of this rule because she parks “at least 10 feet from stop signs” and did not know the minimum was 30 feet. The only way to contest this ticket is to go to court, which would cost me more in time than to pay the $20 penalty. I am writing this to warn the general public that they need to know the laws better than local police and to please stay clear of stop signs.
Jessica Zidik