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BALTIMORE (Map, News) - When Imtiaz Fakhry Dean received a warning for an unpaid parking ticket from Baltimore City in the mail, the Howard County resident was perplexed.
“I rarely go to Baltimore,” said the software programmer, who lives in Columbia.
But the city’s Department of Transportation insisted Imtiaz’s minivan was illegally parked on 3000 block of East Biddle Street on the night on May 27.
“We only go to the Inner Harbor,” he said.
Despite writing letters complaining the ticket was false, the city wouldn’t back down. So Dean paid the $42 fine, only to discover the MVA had flagged his vehicle for $30 for the unpaid ticket.
Then he received a curious letter.
“It said the city made a mistake,” Dean said.
The letter, from the DOT, said his vehicle was ticketed “in error” and was accompanied by his uncashed check. Still, Dean is still on the hook for the state’s $30 flag fee.
“I still haven’t heard back from the MVA,” he said.
Benjamin Fry said he too was victimized by a bogus ticket. The Charles Village resident said he was surprised by a notice he received citing him for illegally parking near Patterson Park at 5:24 a.m. on May 24.
“I’ve played soccer there before, but I wasn’t there when they said I was,” Fry said.
Fry, too, has tried to fight the ticket but with little success.
“I really wonder how many people have just paid these tickets, and how much money they’re making,” he said.
DOT officials admitted Thursday that bogus tickets had been written, but said the matter had been investigated and resolved.
A representative for the city’s Office of Inspector General, which investigates corruption, said they were not aware of the bogus ticket-writing.
“We have not been contacted about this,” said agent Donald Stoop.
In a phone interview Friday, Mayor Sheila Dixon she is requesting a thorough review by the Inspector General.
“Clearly this is a case that should be handled by that office,” the mayor said. “I expect them [DOT] to turn over any information they have to the Inspector General,” she said.
“Parking enforcement agents are going to be held accountable.”
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Comments from Examiner Readers
7:12 AM MST on Tue., Oct. 16, 2007 re: "More motorists lament bogus tickets"
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7:47 PM MST on Mon., Oct. 15, 2007
re: "More motorists lament bogus tickets"
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1:37 PM MST on Mon., Oct. 15, 2007
re: "More motorists lament bogus tickets"
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10:33 AM MST on Mon., Oct. 15, 2007
re: "More motorists lament bogus tickets"
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10:31 AM MST on Mon., Oct. 15, 2007
re: "More motorists lament bogus tickets"
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10:29 AM MST on Mon., Oct. 15, 2007
re: "More motorists lament bogus tickets"
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10:16 AM MST on Mon., Oct. 15, 2007
re: "More motorists lament bogus tickets"
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Examiner Reader said:
Note to ER from 7:47 ... I would disagree with the "borderline" part of your comment.
56 agree | 51 disagree
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Examiner Reader: said:
This is the situation. They are trying to make money for the city any way they can.. They don't like the fact that people who live in the county, or Pennsylvania come into the city, use it's facility's then go home..Because they can't tax you, they are looking for other ways to get your money...If you get a ticket from one of these moron's, take it to court, and let them testify....Judges will see first hand, that they have borderline retards issuing these tickets.
43 agree | 67 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Do not the people in the Office of Inspector General or Donald Stoops read the newspapers or listen to the radio or television coverage about this rampant problem? I find it interesting that people on the street are talking about it, but the pople who should be doing something to correct the situation claim they know nothing about it. Sounds like the three monkeys who know nothing, see nothing, hear nothing. What a way to run a railroad.
58 agree | 51 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
DC has accountability laws. Why are these so hard to implemenet in MD? Inspectors drive around the city looking at areas that have been designated "no parking" and make sure the residents have proper amount of time (24 or 48 hours can't remember) to move their cars before they can be legally ticket or towed. No such law in Maryland. Signs go up, you are towed 5 minutes later, even if you are at a paid meter. Ridiculous. Even worse, no employee from the city or elected offical will speak up. Kepp mum and it will contiue to generate $$$$ for the city, since they can't get it the right way with econmic development and property taxes. I'm looking at you, non-tax paying JHU!!!!
75 agree | 43 disagree
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Paul said:
I think we need to move to a system like the read light cameras where you get a picture of the violation or one is available online. If there's not picture to prove you parked in front of the hydrant no ticket.
73 agree | 62 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I just finished clearing 2 or 3 bogus tcikets throught he icty that were over 3 years old. they wanted me to pay hundreds of dollars on a $21 ticket that I never got. Talk about usury. This city is broken at EVERY level, especially when crackheads run the towing lot.
72 agree | 59 disagree
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Joy in Baltimore said:
Accountability.......let's do it! I once had an automobile in my niece's name....got several tickets etc. I want her name cleared and that's where my accountability kicks in.......the Powers to BE won't allow it......tickets in her name, her responsibility.....why won't these folks allow me to fess up.......so the accountability things rings a loud bell for me!
67 agree | 63 disagree
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