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Fixed Raises $650K More and Heads to Oakland

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Re: Fixed Raises $650K More and Heads to Oakland

#21

Post by eldavido »

akgerber wrote: post #15
matthewarkin wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My issue is that I'll happily own up to my mistake if the amount I have to pay is fair. A $60 parking ticket obtained during the $.25 an hour rate seems unfair when the street is half empty.

The idea is that the fine is high because they can't catch every parking violation. Likewise, the fine for fare-beating on mass transit is much higher than a transit fare, because it's very unlikely you've been caught on your first offense. Parking is hard in the big city because it requires a lot of a very expensive resource (urban land)— maybe you shouldn't drive if you're unable to handle the responsibility. (I pe…

I agree, and would go farther by saying I'm against people who believe in selective enforcement of the law, for themselves or others. We live in a democracy, if you really feel strongly that a law is unjust or wrong, it's on you to get it changed.

Re: Fixed Raises $650K More and Heads to Oakland

#22

Post by tizzdogg »

ars wrote: post #17
tizzdogg wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

But only one that is a "neighboring city" to San Francisco (CA).

It doesn't say San Francisco in the title.

I suppose if reading literally the first sentence of the article is too much trouble, then yes, that is a problem.

Re: Fixed Raises $650K More and Heads to Oakland

#23

Post by mmanfrin »

akgerber wrote: post #15
matthewarkin wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My issue is that I'll happily own up to my mistake if the amount I have to pay is fair. A $60 parking ticket obtained during the $.25 an hour rate seems unfair when the street is half empty.

The idea is that the fine is high because they can't catch every parking violation. Likewise, the fine for fare-beating on mass transit is much higher than a transit fare, because it's very unlikely you've been caught on your first offense. Parking is hard in the big city because it requires a lot of a very expensive resource (urban land)— maybe you shouldn't drive if you're unable to handle the responsibility. (I pe…

> The idea is that the fine is high because they can't catch every parking violation.

I'm sorry, have you ever parked in SF? As someone who has paid more than his fair share of parking tickets, I can tell you that the cost of the ticket has next to zero relation to the ability to 'catch every parking violation'. SFMTA is very, very efficient at catching people whose meters have expired or who have parked more than 2 hours in a residential area.

Re: Fixed Raises $650K More and Heads to Oakland

#24

Post by ars »

tizzdogg wrote: post #22
ars wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It doesn't say San Francisco in the title.

I suppose if reading literally the first sentence of the article is too much trouble, then yes, that is a problem.

That exactly what I read: the first sentence, than I closed it as regional news. (There are tons of startups in the San Francisco area, it's only interesting when it's not in that area, and that's what I thought this was at first.)

Is it really that much trouble to put the state in the title? Or do people living there forget there are other places in the world?

Re: Fixed Raises $650K More and Heads to Oakland

#25

Post by tizzdogg »

ars wrote: post #24
tizzdogg wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I suppose if reading literally the first sentence of the article is too much trouble, then yes, that is a problem.

That exactly what I read: the first sentence, than I closed it as regional news. (There are tons of startups in the San Francisco area, it's only interesting when it's not in that area, and that's what I thought this was at first.) Is it really that much trouble to put the state in the title? Or do people living there forget there are other places in the world?

Well I do think Oakland California is the most populous and well-known city of that name so it's a resonable assumption that's what the article is about. I dont disagree that it's a good idea to be as clear as possible in titles. But if I saw an article about Madrid, I'd probably assume it's the one in Spain even if I happened to live in Madrid, Iowa.

I guess the question is whether Oakland, CA has enough prominence to be known widely outside the region. And I do think it's a major city in its own right, not just in its relation to San Francisco.

Re: Fixed Raises $650K More and Heads to Oakland

#26

Post by mahyarm »

ihaveajob wrote: post #5

This makes me sad. If you make a mistake, own it. If you get a fair parking ticket, pay it. Don't be a leech. Cities have scarce resources that are not designed to fight people looking for loopholes.

Using this app wastes less time than the official ways to pay the ticket. That alone is valuable. Automated contesting is also good too.

Also if you've read the article you can see cities are not angels either. If you have seen what happens in traffic court when judges don't even want to hear 3 sentences of your evidence and just declare you guilty anyway. The appeal process after that is expensive. You waste a ton of time and money going to that court, while you have a job. And maybe needing to hire lawyers just so you can get heard.

It's an exploitive system that takes advantage of asymmetries and it deserves to be challenged.

Re: Fixed Raises $650K More and Heads to Oakland

#27

Post by ars »

tizzdogg wrote: post #25
ars wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That exactly what I read: the first sentence, than I closed it as regional news. (There are tons of startups in the San Francisco area, it's only interesting when it's not in that area, and that's what I thought this was at first.) Is it really that much trouble to put the state in the title? Or do people living there forget there are other places in the world?

Well I do think Oakland California is the most populous and well-known city of that name so it's a resonable assumption that's what the article is about. I dont disagree that it's a good idea to be as clear as possible in titles. But if I saw an article about Madrid, I'd probably assume it's the one in Spain even if I happened to live in Madrid, Iowa. I guess the question is whether Oakland, CA has enough prominence…

San Francisco and Madrid, yes. Oakland? No, it's not that widely known, to that level.

Re: Fixed Raises $650K More and Heads to Oakland

#28

Post by nbaman_23 »

Kalium wrote: post #20
nbaman_23 wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Being a minute late to a meter shouldn't constitute a $60+ fine. If being a "leech" means recuperating exorbitant fines that are primarily in place to increase revenue (so more money can be wasted), then count me in. I'm not trying to spend money allocated for my water and gas bills to pay a ticket that was issued for parking at a meter one minute after it had expired. I understand that yes, an honest mistake was mad…

The fines aren't there to increase revenue, though that's a perk. They are there to encourage you to make do without a car in SF.

This isn't S.F. but check out the reason Oakland decided to hike fines (http://www.oaklandnet.com/government/fwawebsite/parking/park...). I wouldn't be surprised if S.F. and most other cities view revenue from parking fines the same way Oakland does. Here it is:

Q: Why did the City of Oakland raise parking meter fees, increase fines and extend and parking meter enforcement hours?

A: The City of Oakland’s recent decision to raise parking meter fees and increase some fines was made in response to the most serious financial crisis ever faced by the City, and it accompanied significant cuts to vital public services, including police, libraries, parks and maintenance. Although City leaders recognize that this decision is unpopular and difficult for many residents, it was an unfortunate necessity given the magnitude of Oakland’s budget deficit.

Re: Fixed Raises $650K More and Heads to Oakland

#29

Post by shebson »

ihaveajob wrote: post #5

This makes me sad. If you make a mistake, own it. If you get a fair parking ticket, pay it. Don't be a leech. Cities have scarce resources that are not designed to fight people looking for loopholes.

I tend to agree, but there is still a place for this app. SF's parking enforcement and the appeals process is thoroughly broken. I know several people who have lost appeals when they parked at a broken meter despite having taken photos or videos showing that meter wasn't working (and in SF, signs on parking meters indicate that parking at broken meters is legal as long as you stay within posted time limits).

Re: Fixed Raises $650K More and Heads to Oakland

#30

Post by nbaman_23 »

For L.A. residents, this is pretty wild. Drives me nuts. This is what happens when bureaucratic agencies run wild, with no one but helpless citizens to hold them accountable [emphasis added]. This is why this is such a great idea!

http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2014/11/12/city-leaders-react...

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