Public Parking Spaces Too Tempting:
Bay Street Mall Again Attempts to Seize
Public Property
Creeping Private Encroachment on the Commons We may not park on our own street unless we're shopping according to signs posted on Bay Street. |
An Emeryville police spokesperson was unsure whether the Emeryville Police Department receives a portion of these ill gotten proceeds but indicated any tickets issued for cars parked on Bay Street during those hours are not proper and that any subsequent fines incurred by the public should not be paid. The Police Department will conduct an investigation into the bogus parking ticket allegations the spokesperson said.
Bay Street has an unusual condition as a result of a negotiation between the City and Bay Street Mall Investors wherein the corporation owns the sidewalks but the City owns the street, a condition that has proved tempting to the mall owner to encroach on the City's easement, the new parking tickets for overnight parking being just the latest iteration. In another bold move, signs have been put up by the mall owner along Bay Street warning the motoring public that the parking spaces on the street are for "customers only"; a patent falsehood.
For cars parked during metered times that run out the meter, ticket proceeds are shared between Bay Street Mall Investors and the Emeryville Police Department as per an approved agreement made between City Hall and the mall owner.
Bay Street security officers refused to speculate how many tickets and warnings they have issued to (legally) parked cars on the street and the management at the Bay Street Mall didn't return calls for this story.
This is insane. How are they writing tickets without the police department involved? Is it just a slip of paper that says you owe $25? Extortion is illegal. Tell the Emeryville PD to arrest them.
ReplyDeleteThe police have been made aware of this problem. I expect at least one follow up story...
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