mindless ramblings

Grrrrr so annoyed!!!

So today I parked at this lot at 430pm to pick up Esther who was working in an nearbybuilding. While sitting in the car, this officer walks over and said if I don’t pay $2 for parking right now, I will get a $40 ticket. The fact that I was just sitting in the car didn’t matter to him. Didn’t wanna make a fuss but when I walked over to the machine and tried to pay, the machine stated that I had overpaid. Turns out the cost of parking is only $1.50. However, the officer, who had been following me, threatened if I didn’t pay $2 I will get a ticket. Since this is fucking ridiculous, I refused to pay $2 and told him to write me a ticket. When I got back to my car, he changed his mind and told me to pay $1.50 instead. When I questioned him regarding the fact that he threatened me with a ticket if I did not pay $2, he refused to answer and kept repeating that this was my last chance. Not wanting to get a $40 ticket, I paid $1.50 and got my ticket.

By this time, there were 2 other cars who had parked beside me. Having seen me questioning the officer, they mentioned that the parking in the lot is free after 430pm (WTF!) and that they park there all the time after 430pm with no hassle. One of the other people talked to the officer regarding my situation, and the officer said that I had arrived before 430pm. However, the time on the ticket is 436pm and I am certain the entire incident happened after 430pm.

So now I paid $1.50 for what… 1 minute of parking?? That officer’s attitude just pissed me off majorly, a complaint is on it’s way to Richmond City Hall. How ironic that The City of Richmond website states that, “Officers also serve an ambassador role in that they will: ask questions before ticketing and offer assistance to those who are illegally parked and in need”. This officer did not do any of the above… he needs to be retrained in being friendly.