City of Alexandria, Virginia Alexandria parking enforcement uses extortion to raise money via false parking tickets!!!! Alexandria Virginia

While legal parking was difficult ( to be expected) i received quite a surprise..... After finding a legal metered space, paying for two hours parking (no problem) and retrieving my car before meter expired, I was  quite surprised to find a $40 ticket on my windshield for "misuse of meter".  Meter person ticketed vehicle because the receipt had slipped down a bit-- although it was still visible AND clearly the meter had been paid as I did not receive a ticket for expiration. The online citation even has a picture they took of the receipt displayed in my vehicle's window!  within 48 hrs., they refused dismissal of the ticket even when I mentioned the picture (their picture nonetheless!) showing the ticket clearly displayed!  Now they upped the charge to $50.00 as the are charging extra $10 for contesting the ticket.  So much for a "fair" day in court!  I am incensed and will never visit this ripoff city again.   I think this is VA governments way of meter officer meeting quota and/or earning more money.  I DO NOT OWE THEM ANYTHING!

I want to warn driving visitors about this practice.  I don't know if it is limited to this meter policeman or a city wide practice, but it is not very tourist friendly AND an unreasonable charge to top it.  I would have loved to see more of old town since I had not been there in 20 yrs., but if this is how they operate, it isn't worth it.  I find a visit filled with "fear" that I will receive a random "misuse of meter" ticket not worth the trouble.