Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
A Reader Catches A DOR Vehicle Parked Illegally
Recently, a reader named Damien sent me this photo, along with a note via e-mail.
Dear Geek,
I thought you would appreciate this photo.
I was driving down Lincoln Ave, on the northside and saw this Department of Revenue car pull up into this No Parking Zone outside a Starbucks.
Then, 2 ticket dudes (a man and a woman) jump out and start looking for tickets to write at meters along Lincoln Ave.
So, these ticket guys are writing tickets for everyone else, even though they are PARKED ILLEGALLY!!!
Only in Chicago.
Damien
Well, I think the hypocrisy of this incident is pretty obvious. Why should the rules for DOR employees, or ANY city employees be different than the rules for us regular citizens?
I grudgingly give cops whom park illegally to grab a bite to eat, or a cup of coffee and a donut, a pass. The difference is that Chicago’s Finest may have to respond to an emergency on a moment’s notice.
But with Parking Enforcement Aides (PEAs) and other DOR employees, it’s seems imperative they must be an example of following the parking laws, they are paid to enforce.
This type of behavior is, of course, against official DOR policy.
“This is sad, that we would violate the very same rules that we enforce,” says PEA Ticketmaster. “The Commissioner has sent down orders, that we are to park legally at all times. Should we be issued a ticket, the person responsible for the vehicle at the time would be held liable and must pay for the ticket.”
Department of Revenue spokesperson Ed Walsh is an agreement with Ticketmaster.
“DOR vehicles are not allowed to park illegally,” explained Walsh via e-mail. “Parking ticket responsibility is passed to the driver/employee of the vehicle…The only exception would be some kind of emergency, but employees who park illegally are also subject to internal discipline measures.”
Ticketmaster goes on to suggest that readers who see DOR vehicles parking illegally to take photos and report them to DOR management.
In a way, I understand why the DOR employee chose to park illegally. They were only going to be a few moments. They probably thought it was no big deal to be parked there for a few moments. And they thought they wouldn’t get caught.
I’m sure nearly everyone has behaved in this way and parked illegally just to pickup our cleaning, get a cup of coffee or run in and out of a store for a few minutes.
The difference is, we can actually get ticketed for what we do.
I’m not confident the same goes for DOR employees.
As the Roman poet Juvenal once said, “Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?“
Feel free to e-mail any sightings or actual photos of illegally parked city vehicles to:info@theexpiredmeter.com
i say, use the photo – especially if it was time stamped on a digital camera or mobile phone – link it to the clearly visible vehicle number – and stick it to ‘em
[...] we published our first “funny foto” of a Dept. of Revenue vehicle parking illegally a few weeks ago, more photographs of the DOR caught violating the laws they are supposed to enforce [...]
[...] are previous illegally parked DOR vehicle photo #1 & photo [...]
Dear Geek,
I am a Chicago Policeman ( 17 years ) and my advice if this ever happens is to call 911. People call in parking complaints all the time so don’t think it isn’t an “emergency” or is a silly call. It’s part of our job. Also,there is no love between the DOR and the CPD. DOR takes a perverse pleasure writing patrol cars whenever they can. It happens most often around the court houses and in the loop.
We are responsable for the fine too unless we can prove we were on an assignment. Going to court is not an excuse. So, call 911 and stay on the scene if possible until the beat car shows up and request a ticket be issued. Believe me, the officer will be happy to oblige.
Also,a complaint can be filed with the City of Chicago’s Inspector Generals Office. They are the “internal affairs division” for city departments ( except the CPD we have our own IAD ). If a person can show a picture that is time and date stamped with the numbers or license plate of the DOR vehicle the IGO has to follow up on the complaint.
Keep up the good work,
David
[...] are previous illegally parked DOR vehicle photo #1 & photo #2 and [...]
Dear Readers And Dave the Dumb Cop……
While on the Job….Revenue can park where they want.
Feel Free to inquire to 312-744-PARK.
Thats Policy for ALL M plate Vehicles in this city.
Otherwise, you would see Orange on police cars daily, becuase half of you don’t know how to drive drunk, let alone sober.
One other thought Dave the Cops comments.
Post a Picture of a Ticket Issued by the Department of Revenue for a CPD M plate vehicle.
I would love to see that.
Cause just as your comment to what you would do to our cars….Keep that in mind when you park your unmarked on a hydrant and go to lunch.
M Plates get a pass from us PEA’s UNLESS a Supervisor instructs us to Cite them.
You got a whine? Take it up with the Director of the Department…or the Deputy Director of Street Op’s….
Pissant timewaster.
Sorry TPG
And TPG:
Per your comments : “I grudgingly give cops whom park illegally to grab a bite to eat, or a cup of coffee and a donut; a pass.”
either all or None….equality across the board.
DOR Employee-
I get your drift. I guess I see the diference as, a cop may have to jump into his car to answer an emergency call. If a life is at stake, and seconds count…I guess I would want them to be able to get to their car ASAP.
I actually have two writers lined up to write a pro/con piece on the subject of cops parking illegally. Hope to post it sooner than later.
[...] are previous illegally parked DOR vehicle photo #1, photo #2 , photo#3, photo#4, and [...]
[...] are previous illegally parked DOR vehicle photo #1, photo #2 , photo#3, photo#4, photo#5 and [...]
[...] are previous illegally parked DOR vehicle photo #1, photo #2 , photo#3, photo#4, photo#5 and [...]