Parking Tickets Wrapped 2024

Embarrassingly, I got enough parking tickets in 2024 to warrant a Parking Tickets Wrapped.

April 25

Amount: $30

Reason: Parking facing the wrong direction near Davis Square in Somerville.

My Defense: The street is so narrow that you can’t even fit more than 1 car at a time. It’s ridiculous that it’s a 2-way street in the first place. How was I to know that you can’t just pull onto the left side if there’s an open spot?

May 1

Amount: $50

Reason: Parking on the wrong side during street cleaning in Somerville.

My Defense: This stretch of road didn’t have a street cleaning sign! The sign was ripped down at some point and then it disappeared! I disputed this but I don’t think my images got properly uploaded to their portal, and my dispute was rejected. The next step was to go to Middlesex County Court, which I would have loved to do, but alas I was flying to Germany imminently.

June 4

Amount: $15

Reason: Failing to pay the meter outside Caffè Nero in Arlington.

My Defense: None. At least Arlington tickets are cheap?

June 5

Amount: $50

Reason: Honestly I have no recollection of this ticket. Maybe that says something.

My Defense: None.

Oct 25

Amount: $93 + $90 = $183

Reason: Parked in Boston near Newbury Street that doesn’t allow parking from 4-6pm specifically, and didn’t read the sign properly. Was towed promptly at 4:09pm ($93) and ticketed on top of it ($90).

My Defense: What kind of revenue trap is a spot that allows parking at all times except 4-6pm? However, I’m happy to contribute to the beautiful city of Boston.

November 4

Amount: $50

Reason: Parking on the wrong side during street cleaning in Somerville.

My Defense: I was parking on a different street than usual and forgot to check the street cleaning days there.

November 30

Amount: $50 $0

Reason: Parking in a bike lane at Assembly Row in Cambridge.

My Defense: I’m not sure whether that was a legal parking spot (although there were other cars in the same stretch), but there was definitely no bike lane there. I took many pictures and disputed with the City of Somerville. My images again didn’t get uploaded, but I called them and had someone attach my images. I won the dispute!

Total

All in all: $378. Honestly not as bad as I would’ve thought. But here’s to hoping for less tickets in 2025.