Someone who was homeless explained to me today about how simple fines -- like parking tickets -- can often be the difference between making it work and your life falling apart. Should parking tickets fines and other government fines by pegged to income?
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Replying to @roybahat
When I was new to SF, I parked on-street to get my passport renewed for an upcoming trip. Fed the meter, came back, car was towed. There was a meter right there & no signage, but evidently the curb was painted white. $800 for fine + tow — wiped me out. Forced to cancel my trip.
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Replying to @webdevMason @roybahat
This was such a routine event that when I asked building security if he had seen anyone messing with my car — I was sure it had been stolen — he said the city definitely had it, they do this all the time, there's basically a tow truck just waiting for the next car.
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Replying to @webdevMason
Oof. Idea: peg fees to blue book value of car. Proxy for wealth and easier to validate.
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Replying to @roybahat
As it stands, if you're living out of your car in SF and it gets towed, that's probably going to put you on the street long-term. You're never seeing that car again. The tow alone is usually $300-500+ & you'll accrue another ~$50/day they have it unless you can pay immediately.
2 replies 1 retweet 3 likes
If you just want to get your stuff out of the car, you'll have to provide ID and proof of ownership of the vehicle, which can be extremely difficult if you keep the latter *in your vehicle,* as most people do. So now the city owns *everything* you had.
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Replying to @webdevMason
Ouch. Also my idea was dumb, too easily to exploit.
1 reply 0 retweets 1 likeThanks. Twitter will use this to make your timeline better. UndoUndo
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