Abuse of Power

Last Thursday, I went to Griffith Park for a run (see my triathlon blog if you want info on that). I parked in the lot I always park in and set off. I planned an hour run. I got to Griffith at about 5:10pm, figuring the sun would be out for at least another hour. Well, I misjudged the sun. It went down about ten minutes before I finished. I got back to my car at 6:10pm.

I hopped in my car, getting ready to take off, when low and behold, I notice something on my windshield. I get out, pull it off, thinking it's a stupid flyer or something. It's a parking ticket! The cop gave me the ticket at 6pm, literally RIGHT when the sunset. (You aren't allowed to park there from sunset to sunrise). So this cop must have been sitting there, waiting for the sun to go all the way down before he could hop out of his car and write the ticket.

I understand that I am at fault, considering it says no parking after sunset. I misjudged how long it would take me to get back and how fast the sun would set. I even understand WHY there is a parking limit. They want to prevent shady deals from going on or people having sex or whatever. I get it. BUT, to give a ticket that close to the sunset, when most likely the owner of the car is out exercising (as most people in the park at that time are doing) and should be back any minute, is just an abuse of power. Wait until it's like 8 or later, when the sketchy people are going to be there, to give tickets. Don't ticket people who are trying to take better care of themselves. I mean, come on, I don't want to be running by myself in the park after dark. There are crazy people there. It's just lame that my running for ten minutes longer than I should have has now cost me $35, whereas I'm SURE there were people who parked there later that night to do not so healthy things, and they don't have to pay anything. LAME.

I am done with my whining now. I'm going to call and try to contest even though I really have no basis for it. I figure what can it hurt?