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Aurora code enforcement officer shot
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Image borrowed from expandmywealth.com
I hate paying for parking, but I hate parking tickets more.
Recently, I parked for about two minutes in a loading zone in front of my apartment so I could run in and grab something.
I’d just gotten inside my place when I saw the bright lights of the parking code enforcer lighting up my car, taking down my license plates to issue me a ticket.
I rushed outside hoping to prevent the inevitable $25 fine, though I readily admitted I’d ignored the posted signs.
The parking enforcement worker, however, would have none of it and rudely slapped the ticket into my hand as she boxed me between her Jeep and my truck, her front fender narrowly missing my driver’s side door.
There was no reason for her rudeness – despite the fact she’s likely one of the city’s most hated employees – especially when I politely admitted my wrongdoing and made no attempt to argue with her.
But I guess that’s what happens when you spend eight hours a day ticketing cars and stuffing your face with drive-thru.
It’s lucky for her that Good Times has pickup windows for the passenger side of the car.
(Her Jeep had been modified to put the driver on the right side of the car so as to allow her to leave tickets on vehicles without having to actually get off of her fat can.)
I despise her and her Parking-Nazi ilk. But as much as I don’t like them, I wouldn’t go and shoot someone for giving me a ticket.
Nobody likes rules, but we have to listen to them.
Anarchy is only fun in punk rock songs.
Aurora police today closed off a 20-block area of the city to search for a gunman who shot a code enforcement officer near Montview Boulevard and Clinton Street.
Code enforcement officers do more than just issue parking tickets; they deal with graffiti and weeds and abandoned cars and many other city code issues that sworn police officers are too busy to handle.
This officer, according to reports, is responsible for enforcing city rules on housing and zoning, as well as signs and regulations for businesses.
The suspect was described as a black man, about 25 years old and as of two hours after the shooting, he was still on the loose.
Who knows why this poor code enforcement officer got shot. It may have nothing to do with a citation.
But my point is that responding with violence is not the answer. (No, I’m not going to break into a rousing chorus of Cum by ya.)
I just think that in cases like this, you suck it up and you accept the ticket.
(Or if you’re me, you put the ticket in a place you think will help you remember to pay it, but then you promptly forget and kick yourself when the fine increases to $50.)
If you really think the citation is unwarranted, then fight it in court.
