ComplaintsforHartford Parking Authority

• Initial Complaint

  06/07/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I live on sisson ave and the parking on the other side of the street was full I can't park on that side so I parked on the side where I live and I got an 45.00 ticket I called them and they gave me an bad attitude

  Business response

  06/10/2024

  Good afternoon,

  Thank you for reaching out to us! I spoke with you the day you were in the office, and was able to assist you with resolving the citation error. Can you please provide further information regarding the individual who gave you a “bad attitude”? Any information you can provide regarding the interaction would be helpful. I would like to look into this further on our end.

  Thank you in advance for your assistance researching this matter!

  Best regards,

  Jill M. T****
  Chief Executive Officer | Hartford Parking Authority
  ###-###-####
  ************************** ** ****** *** *** ****** ********* ** *****

  
  

• Initial Complaint

  12/27/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I recently moved to downtown on 11/03/2023. I was never informed by my management that to park on the street in front of my building I needed a permit (management has never heard of any residence permit for the city of Hartford). I was ticketed for $85 on 11/04/23 for parking in front of my building. I went to Hartford Parking Authority to clear the issue and notify them that I recently moved in hopes of getting the ticket waived. They asked if I could provide them with a part of the lease that has my name, address, and date of move-in. I supplied them with a part of the lease that has all of these listed and they told me that it is not sufficient enough. I sent them mail as another way to verify my residency and they still won't take it. Per the Hartford Town Ordinance, there is nowhere that states that I have to provide this to get a ticket waived. I called the mayor's office in the hope of assistance with the situation, only to get a call from the Hartford Parking Authority's CEO (Jill T****) with an attitude saying that I did not understand what was being asked of me or that I can to pay the fee. My documentation and I are being discriminated against. I have been very patient and honestly tried to give the proper documentation. Even my building management told me that what I gave was enough to verify my residency and move-in date. I want the courtesy that was extended tome in the first place and to have the ticket waived. I don't want my documents to be discriminated against. Also, many residences of the Hollander building are now being harassed and ticketed more than ever for parking infronty of our own building!

  Business response

  12/27/2023

  Good morning,
  
  Thank you for reaching out to us! As I had stated in our previous correspondence, in order for us to provide a one time courtesy for your citation, we would require a copy of your lease or mortgage agreement that includes the following:

  Your full name
  The street address of the residential property (apartment, condo, house, etc) being leased or mortgaged
  The effective dates of the lease or mortgage (not the date the contract was signed).
  
  Once you send us a copy of a lease or mortgage statement with those pieces of information, we can void your citation as a one time courtesy.

  The documentation you had provided did not include your name, the street address of the leased residence, or the effective dates of the lease. You provided us with an acknowledgement of receipt of documents with a signature field and a date, presumably the date that you had signed the acknowledgement. While this may be the date you started your lease, the documentation does not verify that information.
  Additionally, the mail you had provided unfortunately does not assist with the one time courtesy or your Resident Parking Permit application, as the address listed does not match the location of the citation or any of Hartford’s resident parking zones.

  If you can provide us with the requested documentation, we’ll be more than happy to void your citation as a one time courtesy. However, we do need to be consistent with our requirements for courtesy dismissals, and are requesting the same address verification from you that we would require from anyone else making the same request.

  If you have any further questions or concerns, now or in the future, please don’t hesitate to contact me anytime!
  
  Best regards,
  
  Jill M. T****
  Chief Executive Officer | Hartford Parking Authority
  ***** ************ ***** ************************** ** ****** *** *** ****** ********* ** *****

• Initial Complaint

  11/20/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I received a parking violation notice of assessment on 11/6/23. I was never in Hartford on the date the citation was issued, 8/30/23. I was at work on the date and time the citation was issued and so was my car. I attempted to appeal it on the Parking Authority's website but was informed that it was past the time limit to do so. I wrote to the Hartford Parking Authority (see attached) to request that the citation be dismissed and charges removed. I subsequently received a Delinquent Violation Notice with additional charges. This is incredibly frustrating and unfair. How can I be denied my right to appeal something that I never received in the first place? I have no connections to Hartford on that day or previously. I want the citation dismissed and the charges removed. I appreciate any assistance you can provide me. Thank you.

  Business response

  11/20/2023

  Good afternoon,

  Thank you for reaching out to us! I have reviewed the citation ******** and have determined that there was an error with the license plate recognition scan. The actual license plate in the citation images is one digit off from your license plate. Due to the error, this citation has been voided accordingly. I will also bring the error to the attention of the general manager for the parking enforcement staff so she can address it with the individual who issued the citation.

  I apologize for the inconvenience. If you ever have any questions or concerns regarding parking in Hartford in the future, please don't hesitate to contact me directly at the email address or phone number listed below.

  Best regards,

  Jill M. T****
  Chief Executive Officer | Hartford Parking Authority
  Phone ###-###-####
  Email ************************** ** ****** *** *** ****** ********* ** *****

• Initial Complaint

  10/25/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I am writing to express my deep concern and frustration regarding the recent notice given to the Hartford Parking Authority on 10/19/23. I would like to bring to your attention the contradictory statements made by the Hartford Parking Authority and the subsequent wrongful actions that have affected me. During our initial communication, the Hartford Parking Authority explicitly cited a standard policy to justify the denial of my chosen method of payment. However, I am astonished to learn that this policy does not exist, as verified by their admission that a search within their department's files failed to produce any evidence. This inconsistency raises serious questions. Hartford Parking Authority's admission that they will continue engaging in discriminatory practices without merit, despite the absence of a written policy, is deeply troubling. Discrimination of any kind is not only morally reprehensible but also illegal. I implore the Hartford Parking Authority to reconsider their stance immediately and ensure that their practices embrace fairness and equal treatment for all individuals interacting with their organization. Additionally, I would like to bring to your attention, since being wrongly informed of the existence of a policy that prevented my chosen payment method, my vehicle has been held in their tow lot, accruing daily lot fees. I seek immediate resolution and compensation for the expenses incurred due to the Hartford Parking Authority's misleading and incorrect information. I kindly request that the BBB follow up on my behalf with the Hartford Parking Authority to ensure the prompt resolution of this issue. I ask that the Hartford Parking Authority provide a detailed explanation regarding the existence of any written policies related to payment methods and the nature of their discriminatory practices. Additionally, I urge them to take immediate action to rectify their unjust treatment and waive the accrued tow lot fees.

  Business response

  10/25/2023

  Good afternoon,
  
  The Hartford Parking Authority verbally informed you of HPA’s policy requiring cash payment for citation balances of $800.00 or more. This policy has been consistently upheld for all individuals for the past 12+ years. After speaking with you, I reached out to the City of Hartford’s Corporation Counsel, and was advised that unwritten policies, especially when based on consistent past practices, are enforceable.
  
  To allow you to process your payment using an alternate method that does not reflect our policies would in itself be unfair and discriminatory. The HPA strongly promotes consistent, transparent, and fair practices.
  
  Best regards,

  Jill M. T****
  Chief Executive Officer | Hartford Parking Authority
  ***** ************ ***** ************************** ** ****** *** *** ****** ********* ** *****
  

  Customer response

  10/30/2023

  
  Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because: as CEO of HPA has consistently stated, HPA is enforcing a standard policy. I requested that the policy be presented in writing. HPA has shown evidence of an official policy which can be upheld. HPA is deliberately using this tactic of denying compliance and consumer efforts of obtaining their property by using unethical methods of debt collection.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ****** *******

  Customer response

  10/30/2023

  I am rejecting this response due to the following reasons: despite the consistent emphasis by the CEO of HPA, there is a lack transparency. Neither an offical copy of written or documented policies have been provided from HPA that can be considered  valid evidence amonst their claim . Despite my request for proof or a copy of the policy, HPA has not provided any official documentation. HPA's deliberate refusal to comply and obstructing consumers from obtaining information and retrieving their property is unethical practices in debt collection. 

  
  

  Regards,

  ****** *******

  Customer response

  10/30/2023

  I contacted H******* *********** ******* ** *** **** ** * ******** **. They clearly stated that  they have no say in this matter and did not make any statements in regard to this matter. ******** *********** ******* have no Authority over what policies HPA claims it has.

  Business response

  10/31/2023

  Good afternoon,
  
  The Hartford Parking Authority has maintained a cash payment requirement for citation totals equaling or above $800 for the last 12+ years. Regardless of the fact that this policy is unwritten, it has been consistently and fairly applied to all individuals for many years now. While the HPA is currently working on formalizing our policies, we will continue to uphold this policy equitably and without exception.
  
  The Hartford Parking Authority has answered your query regarding our payment policies, and will not continue to further engage regarding your disagreement with this policy.
  
  Best regards,

  Jill M. T****
  Chief Executive Officer | Hartford Parking Authority
  ***** ************ ***** ************************** ** ****** *** *** ****** ********* ** *****
  

• Initial Complaint

  10/19/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I received a parking meter ticket on the date of August 17 of this year for my vehicle, which was at home during my vacation. The ticket was issued for August 17, but made it to my home October 18th, 2023. I have proof that my vehicle was not in use during that time of my vacation, and I was not in Hartford with my vehicle which was stored at home. I’m afraid that this company is a scam. There many reviews against them state that. The images I have included in this settlement are of the parking ticket and two images. One of my bag that was for my vacation and the second image is with a timestamp of me at work that day, after having been dropped off by my mother in her ******. And I’ve also included my time sheet of my work schedule that day to have proof that I was at work.

  Business response

  10/19/2023

  Good afternoon,

  Thank you for reaching out to us! I've reviewed the parking citation, and have confirmed that there was an unfortunate error in the license plate recognition scan. This citation was not assessed to your vehicle. Given the error, the citation has been updated to the correct license plate information and then voided. I apologize for the error and inconvenience. 

  If you have any further questions or concerns, now or in the future, please don't hesitate to contact me anytime!

  Best regards,

  Jill M. T****
  Chief Executive Officer | Hartford Parking Authority
  Phone ###-###-####
  ***** ************************** ** ****** *** *** ****** ********* ** *****
  

  Customer response

  10/19/2023

  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ****** *****

• Initial Complaint

  08/11/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Hartford Parking Authority issues 3 citations to my car in the months of April and May 2023. I attempted to pay these citations via phone and website for over 2 months and was unsuccessful due to the HPA website and phone line being down. The citations kept on accruing cost despite the website and phone line being down, the only option was to go in person which I was unable to due to to work constraints. I expected the issue to be solved so I kept trying to pay in this way but continued to be unsuccessful. On 8/11/23 I attempted once more to pay via website and this time I was redirected to the office of Parking Management, whom I also had attempted to contact over the past two months and had also been unsuccessful. There I was told that HPA would not bear any responsibility over their non-functioning payment methods and that the only option still remaining was to go pay in person or mail in a check, and that if I were to do so I would still risk my car being towed. This company deliberately allowed customers citations to accrue interest overtime and have not taken any responsibility as to how their faulty system single-handedly contributed to this issue. This is appalling, unethical and should be rectified, allowing people grace periods that are consistent with the period of time their systems were down.

  Business response

  08/22/2023

  Hello *** ******* *****,
  
  Thank you for reaching out to the Hartford Parking Authority! I have reviewed the statement that you submitted, and I completely understand your frustration. We had determined to remove the pay-by-phone option due to an unfortunately high number of issues with the system. Shortly thereafter, we had an issue with the web payment portal that resulted in that payment option being unavailable while we worked to resolve the problem. I would be more than happy to speak with you and review your citations and unpaid citation penalties (late fees) directly to see how I might be able to assist. Can you please contact me at ###-###-#### or via email at **************************?
  
  Best regards,
  
  Jill M. T****
  Chief Executive Officer | Hartford Parking Authority
  ***** ************ ***** ************************** ** ****** *** *** ****** ********* ** *****
  

• Initial Complaint

  08/11/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On the evening on 8/9/22, I left my place of employment, ***** * ** * *** ** *** ********* **********. I had parked my vehicle on the street in a metered parking space. I paid the meter that morning as I normally do. Upon exiting and walking towards my car, I noticed my car was not in sight. I went to the security officer, and informed him how do I report a stolen vehicle. He asked for make and model and told me that it was towed and I should call the police. I contacted the police and they told me that I had $300 of unpaid parking violations. I informed the officer that I never received the hard copies, and that I pay the meter fee when I park on the 3 days that I work. He told me to reach out to Hartford Parking Authority tomorrow as it was 8:30 pm. On 8/10/22, I went to the parking authority to inquire why I had parking violations and did not receive a hard copy or written communications from the Hartford Parking Authority. The representative said she didn't know, and printed out the tickets. I asked who wrote the tickets she didnot want to provide the info. I was forced to pay $300 dollars for tickets I knew nothing about in order to retrieve my vehicle. I also had to pay $180 dollars for the tow. I never received correspondence on these tickets nor did I have hard copies. I have been paying meter charges for parking and was informed at the towing place by a meter rep, that the lines and meters are incorrect and the company I use to pay the meters is not reporting properly. I have peers who have been parking longer than i have been parking and they never get tickets nor have they been towed. I believe my vehicle is being targeted, and i wan this matter fully investigated.

  Business response

  08/11/2022

  Section 22-42 of the City ** ******** Municipal Code states that any vehicle found parked upon the streets and public grounds of the city and where there are two (2) or more unpaid municipal parking citations issued, may be subject to immobilization and/or towing upon the issuance of the third parking citation. Those vehicles with two or more unpaid parking tickets that are parked on City streets are designated as scofflaw and, as such, subject to immobilization and/or impound.  
  On August 8, 2022, at 10:50am, the individual was issued a citation for meter non-payment. In reviewing the individual’s meter payment activity for that day, we found that payment was made at 11:29am, 59 minutes after the citation was issued. The Hartford parking Authority (HPA) also found that this individual also had three (3) past due citations, two of which were for parking in a marked bus stop. Under section 22-24 of the City ** ******** Municipal code this allowed HPA to immobilize and eventually impound their vehicle.
  Furthermore, citations are always placed on the vehicle windshield, directly under the passenger side wiper blade. A letter of assessment is also sent to the license plate owner once the citation goes past due, which means the individual in question had at least six to nine notifications that they had citations and were past due.

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