Parking tickets are expensive on the mean streets of Davis

City charges sky-high interest rate for parking scofflaws

Since city government should be of the people, by the people and for the people (I just made that up, but I think it has potential), I have a few suggestions that I hope my cherished and longstanding hometown will immediately employ.

Unfortunately, there are times when the City of Davis is acting more like a scolding school principal or Big Brother -  I mean Big Sibling - than the touchy, feely, how-can-we-help-you institution the Davisville founders had in mind back in 1917 when they dropped the "ville" and made us an official city of record.

Yes, there are times, usually when you're trying to get the kids to school before the opening bell, when a slow-moving freight train blocks ingress and egress - and occasionally egrets - between East Davis and Real Davis, but we don't need more mind-numbing aggravation from the City of Davis itself.

I've already complained many times over the years that the City water and garbage bill arrives with a due date and a stern warning that if my payment is delivered even one second past midnight on the demanded day that there will be a 10 percent penalty added.

Is that the kinder, gentler government our City Fathers and Mothers envisioned?

I mean, if you're having trouble paying for water, you need the long arm of the law to reach out and hand you a few gallons for free, not slap you sternly across the chops.

But the City's wagging Finger of Shame doesn't stop there.

The other day a kind reader (I regard anyone who reads my stuff as kind) sent me a parking ticket she had recently received in beautiful Downtown Davis.

Now we all know that parking is an ongoing problem in the core area for residents and tourists alike.

There's 2-hour parking, 90-minute parking, 20-minute parking and No Parking between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. on Friday mornings.

The parking ticket in question arrived in the mail with an all-blue, all-caps message at the top that said "PARKING CITATION DELINQUENT NOTICE."

If your car is less than 18 years old, it's considered to be a juvenile delinquent.

Right under that was the threatening message: "WARNING: If you do not respond to this notice by the due date, the California DMV will be notified of the citation and will refuse to renew your California vehicle registration."

If that's not enough to ruin your afternoon tea, there's another warning on the back of the page that states: "If you have 5 or more outstanding citations your vehicle may be booted."

Where they're going to boot it to is anyone's guess, but most likely Dixon.

To pay the ticket, you are directed to "Mail a check or money order payable to the City of Davis, c/o Citation Collection Services, P.O. Box 80239, Indianapolis, IN 46280."

Yes, Indianapolis. And good luck traveling back to the Hoosier State to appeal your ticket.

The ticket itself is 50 bucks, which is at least five times greater than it needs to be. Of course, if they don't charge that much, they won't be able to pay the salary of the guy who drives around downtown in that goofy half-of-a-car giving people tickets in the first place. It's the very definition of a vicious cycle.

But here's the real kicker. And keep in mind that this citation arrived in the mail on the afternoon of May 31.

"Total Amount Due Now: $50. Amount due if paid after 6/06/24: $100."

Yes, you have six days to pay up or the fine doubles. And never mind that 6/06/24 is the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Pay up or else.

Given that this is a leap year, there are 366 days on the 2024 calendar, which means there are 61 6-day periods during which you are charged an interest rate of 100 percent. Doing the math quickly in my head, that comes out to 6,100 percent interest annually. There may be a law against that.

I'm imagining the vacationing Fred and Frieda from Fargo traveling in their rental car from San Francisco to Lake Tahoe when they pull off in the small town of Davis Exit to have some lunch.

They decide to have a slice or two of pizza at Steve's Place, but Fred starts watching a basketball game on TV while Frieda checks out the latest fashions at The Wardrobe.

Before you know it, they've overstayed their welcome by 30 seconds and they wonder what that piece of paper flapping on their windshield is all about as they head out of town and onto Interstate 80 eastbound.

When they get back to Fargo after three weeks of sheer joy in the Golden State, they realize they are now considered delinquents if they ever again set foot in Yolo County.

Makes you wonder what ever happened to a grace period.

Apparently, Grace got booted to Dixon along with her car.

Reach me directly at bobdunning@thewaryone.com