A Long Island man, Hector Colon, faces a nightmare after receiving multiple NYC parking tickets for a vehicle he no longer owns. His case reveals systemic issues in the city's ticketing process, including outdated information and a conflict of interest in the dispute resolution system.
A Long Island resident, Hector Colon, recently found himself embroiled in a frustrating battle with New York City's parking ticket system. His experience sheds light on broader issues within the city's ticketing process, particularly concerning the use of outdated information and the inherent conflicts of interest in how disputes are handled.
Hector Colon, a maintenance supervisor living in Ronkonkoma, Long Island, was shocked to receive a series of parking tickets in the mail last spring. Over a short period, he accumulated a total of eight tickets, amounting to nearly $1,000—an amount he desperately needed for his diabetes medication. Colon was perplexed, as he had sold the vehicle associated with the tickets months prior and had even canceled his insurance and surrendered the license plate.
Despite providing evidence of his vehicle's sale and the cancellation of his insurance, Colon's attempts to contest the tickets were unsuccessful. An administrative judge from the city's finance department ruled against him, citing insufficient evidence. This ruling left Colon feeling helpless and frustrated, especially since he had taken the necessary steps to report the transfer of ownership to the DMV.
The New York State DMV has indicated that the city's finance department has access to real-time DMV registration data. However, they have repeatedly raised concerns that the city does not always utilize this information effectively when issuing tickets. A DMV spokesperson noted that they defer to the city regarding the reasons for not using up-to-date records.
The city maintains that it regularly uses DMV data but acknowledges that timing issues can affect the quality of the information. This situation raises questions about the reliability of the ticketing process and the potential for wrongful citations.
Data obtained by CBS News New York reveals that the city's finance department issued over 16 million tickets in the last fiscal year for illegal parking and traffic camera violations. Most individuals do not contest these tickets, but among those who do, only about 3% are dismissed due to a not guilty decision. This statistic highlights the uphill battle many face when trying to fight unjust tickets.
Retired attorney Larry Baher Azmy, who has assisted New Yorkers in contesting tickets, argues that the structure of the parking violations bureau creates a conflict of interest. He likens it to a scenario where a defendant faces a judge who is also a police officer, suggesting that the system is inherently biased against those contesting tickets.
The finance department insists that the process is fair, claiming that hearing officers and judges are per diem employees rather than full-time staff. However, the lack of transparency and the city's refusal to comment on individual cases, such as Colon's, raises further concerns about the integrity of the system.
In Colon's case, after reaching out to the department on his behalf, he was connected with an advocate who specializes in parking summons issues. This advocate indicated that they would submit all of Colon's tickets for review, including those he had already paid, with the hope of obtaining a refund once the tickets are dismissed.
Hector Colon's experience with New York City's parking ticket system is not just a personal struggle; it reflects a larger issue affecting many residents. The combination of outdated information, a flawed dispute process, and the overwhelming number of tickets issued creates a challenging environment for those seeking justice. As Colon waits for a resolution, his case serves as a reminder of the need for reform in the city's ticketing practices to ensure fairness and accuracy for all motorists.
