Parking enforcement Denver Issuing fake tickets for training purposes! Is it illegal?

[dvk]

What is the name of your state?
Colorado

This morning I've found a parking ticket on my car door, parked in front of my house, on the street. It looked exactly like a real one, with an envelope etc... with violation description: street sweeping day. Well, it is March now, and street sweeping does not start until April (according to the posted sign). Moreover, all cars parked on the same side of the street had been ticketed! I was truly in shock and about to leave when I saw the parking officer running towards me and yelling 'put the ticket back!!!' Needless to say, I was even more confused - he approached me and explain to me that it was a 'fake ticket' and they are issuing them for training purposes and he was just about to pick it up and I was not supposed to see it! After a brief talk how unprofessional that was, and explaining that a car is a private property and they are violating the law by issuing a fake ticket, his reply was that the street is the property of the city, and they have right to use it for their training purposes. I got his info and the contact name to complain - I don't think they are allowed to play pranks on innocent citizens. I would like to know do I have grounds to sue them - I've kept the ticket
Thanks a lot!

[Silverplum]

You're being ridiculous and childish. And you know it.

Originally Posted by dvk

What is the name of your state?
Colorado

This morning I've found a parking ticket on my car door, parked in front of my house, on the street. It looked exactly like a real one, with an envelope etc... with violation description: street sweeping day. Well, it is March now, and street sweeping does not start until April (according to the posted sign). Moreover, all cars parked on the same side of the street had been ticketed! I was truly in shock and about to leave when I saw the parking officer running towards me and yelling 'put the ticket back!!!' Needless to say, I was even more confused - he approached me and explain to me that it was a 'fake ticket' and they are issuing them for training purposes and he was just about to pick it up and I was not supposed to see it! After a brief talk how unprofessional that was, and explaining that a car is a private property and they are violating the law by issuing a fake ticket, his reply was that the street is the property of the city, and they have right to use it for their training purposes. I got his info and the contact name to complain - I don't think they are allowed to play pranks on innocent citizens. I would like to know do I have grounds to sue them - I've kept the ticket
Thanks a lot!

[racer72]

his reply was that the street is the property of the city, and they have right to use it for their training purposes.

He is correct. No harm, no foul.

I would like to know do I have grounds to sue them - I've kept the ticket

Sue who for what? No one did anything illegal, you suffered no damages. Call a local TV station and see if they will do a news story on the tickets, instead of looking like a fool in court you can do it in front of the whole city.

[dvk]

To SILVERPLUM:

'You're being ridiculous and childish. And you know it' - this pertains to your overinflated EGO, right?

Please refrain from leaving insulting and inappropriate comments! Thank you!

[FlyingRon]

There was a local radio station that did a promotion here feature "Lovely Rita the Meter Maid" who would wander town and put coins in people's expired meters and leave a "ticket" on their car advertising that the radio station had fed the meter (it was also a coupon for a free drink at one of the local fast food places).

Nobody ever seemed to complain about those fake tickets. However, some of the people who witnessed this expressed dismay when they found that "Lovely Rita" was really my brother, one of the low level station employees.

[Silverplum]

Originally Posted by FlyingRon

There was a local radio station that did a promotion here feature "Lovely Rita the Meter Maid" who would wander town and put coins in people's expired meters and leave a "ticket" on their car advertising that the radio station had fed the meter (it was also a coupon for a free drink at one of the local fast food places).

Nobody ever seemed to complain about those fake tickets. However, some of the people who witnessed this expressed dismay when they found that "Lovely Rita" was really my brother, one of the low level station employees.

LOL!

We've had NO such fun in Denver. We NEED that kind of fun!

[dvk]

To RACER72

There is another way to channel your anger instead of mocking innocent people in need of clarification! FYI City of Denver had collected over $16 000 000 last year just from parking violations! And now they want to use my car for their training purposes? Please, enough is enough!
Lack of manners - do not participate in this forum!

[Silverplum]

Originally Posted by dvk

To RACER72

There is another way to channel your anger instead of mocking innocent people in need of clarification! FYI City of Denver had collected over $16 000 000 last year just from parking violations! And now they want to use my car for their training purposes? Please, enough is enough!
Lack of manners - do not participate in this forum!

I'll say it slowly for you: You. Have. No. Case. Against. Denver.

However, you go ahead and call Paula Woodward, or someone. See if you can get on tv, as suggested.

[dvk]

To SILVERPLUM:

I'll say it to you even slower: GO. GET. A LIFE.

This forum is probably the only life you have! So sad! You are a star, I admit - no need for you to go on TV with Paula or whoever!
And also, one more time, since you are pretty oblivious - STOP REPLYING TO MY POSTS! BUZZ OFF!

[Silverplum]

Originally Posted by dvk

To SILVERPLUM:

I'll say it to you even slower: GO. GET. A LIFE.

This forum is probably the only life you have! So sad! You are a star, I admit - no need for you to go on TV with Paula or whoever!
And also, one more time, since you are pretty oblivious - STOP REPLYING TO MY POSTS! BUZZ OFF!

This is only a mild amusement.

I prefer bigger fun. What else do you have in your Big Book Of Complaints?

[dvk]

I am sure you have to pay for fun, Mr Silverplumb!
Big complaint about the weather in Denver today - I am going out to curse the Sun!

Drink more water, it will help your dryness

[tranquility]

The obvious tort here is a trespass to chattel for touching the car. Also, you have a fourth amendment violation for excessive force for the officer yelling at you, which would be an unreasonable use of "force" under the U.S. Constitution. (There might be a state-specific constitutional claim as well.) What you need to do is file an administrative claim for your damages against the city, the parking officer and against the parking agency as they would be governmental agencies and get qualified immunity.

After you are denied (which always happens when there are facts in dispute), you need to file suit in court for the tort and consitutional violation under 42 U.S.C. 1982. I suggest federal court, but you would have jurisdiction in state too and could choose there as well. Then, after you file your complaint, the defendants will file their answer. They will then make a motion for a judgment on the pleadings and then the judge will decide.

In his decision, he will tell you that you are being ridiculous and childish and will give you an order to show cause as to why you should not pay damages to the city/officer/agency for their costs under 42 U.S.C. 1988. After you pay for their defense, it is unlikely they can charge you with malicious prosecution because they would no longer have any damages.

[fairisfair]

Originally Posted by tranquility

The obvious tort here is a trespass to chattel for touching the car. Also, you have a fourth amendment violation for excessive force for the officer yelling at you, which would be an unreasonable use of "force" under the U.S. Constitution. (There might be a state-specific constitutional claim as well.) What you need to do is file an administrative claim for your damages against the city, the parking officer and against the parking agency as they would be governmental agencies and get qualified immunity.

After you are denied (which always happens when there are facts in dispute), you need to file suit in court for the tort and consitutional violation under 42 U.S.C. 1982. I suggest federal court, but you would have jurisdiction in state too and could choose there as well. Then, after you file your complaint, the defendants will file their answer. They will then make a motion for a judgment on the pleadings and then the judge will decide.

In his decision, he will tell you that you are being ridiculous and childish and will give you an order to show cause as to why you should not pay damages to the city/officer/agency for their costs under 42 U.S.C. 1988. After you pay for their defense, it is unlikely they can charge you with malicious prosecution because they would no longer have any damages.

When I first started reading, I thought you had lost your bloody mind.

Bwahahahahahhahahahahahahahaha

[Silverplum]

Originally Posted by tranquility

The obvious tort here is a trespass to chattel for touching the car. Also, you have a fourth amendment violation for excessive force for the officer yelling at you, which would be an unreasonable use of "force" under the U.S. Constitution. (There might be a state-specific constitutional claim as well.) What you need to do is file an administrative claim for your damages against the city, the parking officer and against the parking agency as they would be governmental agencies and get qualified immunity.

After you are denied (which always happens when there are facts in dispute), you need to file suit in court for the tort and consitutional violation under 42 U.S.C. 1982. I suggest federal court, but you would have jurisdiction in state too and could choose there as well. Then, after you file your complaint, the defendants will file their answer. They will then make a motion for a judgment on the pleadings and then the judge will decide.

In his decision, he will tell you that you are being ridiculous and childish and will give you an order to show cause as to why you should not pay damages to the city/officer/agency for their costs under 42 U.S.C. 1988. After you pay for their defense, it is unlikely they can charge you with malicious prosecution because they would no longer have any damages.

From now on, I'm just gonna defer to you on all things. That was magnificent!

To the original poster: I'm sorry I didn't find you worthy of my Finest Efforts. But at least Tranquility did.

[tranquility]

Have I earned some pudding? Rum is my favorite. What kind do I deserve?