Can a cop do this?

txrandom

Diamond Member
Aug 15, 2004
3,773
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I was coming home from school a few minutes ago, and a cop was in visitor parking writing tickets for a couple cars. No one was around except the cop, so I'm guessing they were parking tickets. The cars were also parked in "future resident" or handicap parking spots, so I'm guessing that's what warranted the ticket.

Now my apartment tows like crazy if you are in an illegal spot or resident only spot, but I've never seen a cop write a ticket. Can a cop even write a ticket for parking on private property? Does the apartment complex need to give them permission?

I'm not disagreeing with the cops action, I'm just wondering what the legality of it is. I hate those douchebags in big, loud trucks just as much as anyone else.
 
Feb 19, 2001
20,155
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I like how most apartments in my area threaten to tow but its clear that their garage doors are too small to fit a tow truck =)

In my experience cops write parking tickets when they're asked to do so. Otherwise it's the meter maids who do it. When I worked in the Cherry Blossom Festival this year, we radioed in cars being parked illegally and they sent officers by to write some parking tickets (only after 2 hours of being radioed or something)
 

txrandom

Diamond Member
Aug 15, 2004
3,773
0
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It's kind of BS that they tow here especially over the summer. Over half the spots are always open, and they have only a few visitor parking spots. I'm betting the apartment gets huge kickbacks from the towing company.

Also, how does towing work? If someone's car is on the tow truck, but the owner returns at the time, can they still tow it? I had this happen to someone I know and they had to pay the tow fee.
 

Kalvin00

Lifer
Jan 11, 2003
12,705
4
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Any private property that is open to the public (IE: a parking lot) is an area where a peace officer can enforce traffic laws.

At least, that's how I understand it.
 

amdskip

Lifer
Jan 6, 2001
22,530
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If the truck is lined up with the car prepare to pay up. I had my car towed once in a lot that had maybe at most 10/40 spots filled and you don't need a pass to park there. There are just numbers painted in the spots and each apartment has 2 spots. I guess I picked the wrong number even though it wasn't by the building.
 

SarcasticDwarf

Diamond Member
Jun 8, 2001
9,574
2
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Originally posted by: txrandom
It's kind of BS that they tow here especially over the summer. Over half the spots are always open, and they have only a few visitor parking spots. I'm betting the apartment gets huge kickbacks from the towing company.

Also, how does towing work? If someone's car is on the tow truck, but the owner returns at the time, can they still tow it? I had this happen to someone I know and they had to pay the tow fee.

Yep. They generally offer a reduced fee ($50 instead of $150) or such.
 

userman

Banned
Mar 7, 2005
2,290
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The owners can have officers stop in and write tickets.
Most officers dont like it but you can contest the tickets and usually get off.