Description

On 26 JUN 2013, I was legally parked in the Bethesda Row parking garage to go out for dinner with friends. We parked and paid the meter with coins for the 2 hr limit. After dinner (which lasted less than 2 hours), we returned to our car and drove home. There was no parking ticket left on our vehicle and there was time remaining on the meter. So, I was shocked to find that 3 weeks later we receive a notice in the mail for an overdue parking fine of $70 ($45 + $25 for the late fee). I tried to call the number on the notice, but was told that because of the timing (greater than 15 days from the date of the penalty), our only option was to pay the fine and contest the ticket in person. However, I am an Army surgeon who has been reassigned and am preparing to deploy to Afghanistan and have no time to report back to Bethesda in person to contest this ticket. I asked kindly to speak with the manager, knowing that the person who answers the phone has no power to help with these issues. I was told that I had to leave my cell phone number and would get a call eventually but that it was imperative that I pay the fine as soon as possible. I'm not contesting this ticket because of the fine (as I can easily pay this). The issue is the predatory policy that is in place whereby motorists are not given a ticket, there is no proof that a ticket was placed on my vehicle, and there is no way to contest the ticket by email or letter without paying the increased fine first. There are many many military personnel who live in the DC/MD metropolitan area who are relocating constantly. How are we expected to comply with such policies?