Lower Merion Police Dept lower merion township, lower merion police Havertown, Pennsylvania

Thank you Lower Merion Township Police Department!

A few months ago I was in sever pain and need to go to the emergency room at Bryn Mawr hospital.  I put 3 hours worth of change in the meter (in the lot directly across from the ER).  I came out about 3 hours and 20 minutes later and there was, what looked like, a receipt on my windshield.  Turned out to be a parking ticket because I was in there 20 minutes too late.  I had just lost my job (thus driving myself to the ER as apposed to an ambulance) so I did not pay it right away.  After 1 month I got a notice from Lower Merion township that I had a court date to appear to and my $17 ticket was now $120.  Best part is there was no date listed for this court hearing.  I went to the township building/police station (which operates 9-5 mon-fri) and spoke with the clerk at the desk to find out why I had only been given one month.  I was very nice and explained the situation.  She did not care.  It was MY fault that I parked in the lot that was not for ER use (the one that’s 20 yards from the ER, where there are no signs telling you any different).  She said there was nothing she could do.  I walked out and figured I’d just chalk it up as a loss and ask mom and dad to borrow the money to pay it.  This is when I realized she kept the summons I showed her.  Went I went back they were closed for the day.  About two weeks later I mail in the amount on the summons to the address listed on the first ticket (the one the size of a store receipt).  Since the woman had kept the summons this was my only choice.  Then it comes back w/ a letter, from Lower Merion stating they no longer are responsible for collecting the fine, I must wait for another notice and that notice will give me directions on how to pay it (so you can’t just tell me?).  Today I received an arrest notice.  It says if the ticket is not paid in full they will pick me up.

So let’s break this down:

<!--[if !supportLists]-->1)      <!--[endif]-->Your township does not clearly mark signs in ER parking lots, nor do they mark non ER parking lots.  I was in pain, where to park was the last thing on my mind.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->2)      <!--[endif]-->You enforce an emergency room lot so strictly that I got a ticket 20 minutes after the meter expired.

 <!--[if !supportLists]-->3)      <!--[endif]-->In an economy this bad, where millions of Americans are laid off, you have the nerve to convert a $17 ticket to $120 AND require court appearance…all after 1 MONTHS TIME?!?

 <!--[if !supportLists]-->4)      <!--[endif]-->The building where you go to ask about or pay the ticket is only open DURRING THE HOURS MOST PEOPLE WORK?!?

 <!--[if !supportLists]-->5)      <!--[endif]-->YOUR staff kept the paper w/ the address where I had to pay the new fine.  When I sent that fine in to the address listed on ticket number 1, you refuse it AND DON’T EVEN TELL ME WHERE TO PAY IT?!?

 <!--[if !supportLists]-->6)      <!--[endif]-->YOUR letter you sent to me said wait for a notice – then I get a notice telling me I very well could be arrested and have a warrant out?!?!?!

 Wow.  Thank you Lower Merion township.  Your home page has the quote “A first class township”  I guess this means that if I am not one of the “first class” residents living in your township who make over 6 figures you don’t care.  It is nice to know the organization I HAVE PAID WAGE TAXES TO for the past 3 YEARS does what ever it can to get over on you and take your money.  YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELVES!