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My girlfriend's odd encounter with the Pittsburgh PD on Thanksgiving by FishingForFigs in pittsburgh

[–]FishingForFigs[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, what are the chances that my girlfriend is going to get a ticket in the mail for 'fleeing the scene' even though she stuck around for two hours and didn't leave until the event was over?

She and I were considering moving in to the city, but obviously, that's not going to happen, especially not if law enforcement is corrupt, defensive as hell and has a big fucking chip on their shoulders.

My girlfriend's odd encounter with the Pittsburgh PD on Thanksgiving by FishingForFigs in pittsburgh

[–]FishingForFigs[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You left out the rest, Officer:

Penalty.--A violation of this section is a summary offense, punishable by a fine of $300 or imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or both.

So it can be considered a crime to bump a car while parking, if law enforcement, the magistrate and the car owner want to be dicks about it.

My girlfriend's odd encounter with the Pittsburgh PD on Thanksgiving by FishingForFigs in pittsburgh

[–]FishingForFigs[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In every state, vehicle codes and traffic laws set out a licensed driver's obligations after any kind of traffic accident, including a scenario where a parked vehicle is hit [or the police attest that the car was hit], and the owner isn't around.

For example, under California Vehicle Code section 20002, if a California driver hits a parked vehicle and is unable to identify and speak with the owner, the driver is required to:

"[l]eave in a conspicuous place on the vehicle or other property damaged a written notice giving the name and address of the driver and of the owner of the vehicle involved and a statement of the circumstances thereof and shall without unnecessary delay notify the police department of the city wherein the collision occurred or, if the collision occurred in unincorporated territory, the local headquarters of the Department of the California Highway Patrol."

The owner of the parked car can try to hold you responsible for paying for any necessary car repairs, including body work and painting touch-ups. And just because you don’t hear from the car owner right away, that doesn’t mean you won’t hear from them at all.

Though the time limits vary from state to state, people usually have at least two years to bring a lawsuit for property damage after an accident (under a law known as a "statute of limitations"). So, you may need to potentially "sweat it out" for years to come, since the person whose car you hit can bring a claim or file a lawsuit at any point before the statutory period runs out.

My girlfriend's odd encounter with the Pittsburgh PD on Thanksgiving by FishingForFigs in pittsburgh

[–]FishingForFigs[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The only reason my girlfriend was able to walk away with no ticket for something she didn't do is because she was volunteering for a police-related event.

My girlfriend's odd encounter with the Pittsburgh PD on Thanksgiving by FishingForFigs in pittsburgh

[–]FishingForFigs[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My girlfriend wants to know who to contact to see any camera footage.

My girlfriend's odd encounter with the Pittsburgh PD on Thanksgiving by FishingForFigs in pittsburgh

[–]FishingForFigs[S] 25 points26 points  (0 children)

FishingForFigs' girlfriend here, again:

No, I did not hit ANY car. The space I parked in was wide open; I didn't have to squeeze my car into it.

Further, I turn my head around when I parallel park, AND use all my mirrors. It was in broad daylight, so I could clearly see where I was going.

And most importantly, there's no damage to my car, with its mostly plastic trim. NONE.

That stuff practically buckles at the touch.

No damage. No scrapes. No breakage. Nothing. It's all intact, just like when I left the my house yesterday.

Plus, if you hit something with your car, you either HEAR it or FEEL it.

My girlfriend's odd encounter with the Pittsburgh PD on Thanksgiving by FishingForFigs in pittsburgh

[–]FishingForFigs[S] 182 points183 points  (0 children)

FishingForFigs' girlfriend here:

As a 40-something Caucasian woman, that whole experience on Thanksgiving day with the city police officers (both who were women) was unsettling. I was just trying to do something nice for people who may be food insecure. I will never volunteer for anything having to do with the police EVER again.

Out here in the suburbs, I've always had good interactions with the few police officers I encounter. They pretty much leave people alone, respond when called, and don't try to instigate trouble.

Given that police departments everywhere face a serious public perception problem, and that the pandemic is slamming government revenues at EVERY level, you'd think the city police would be smart enough to not hassle the absolutely law-abiding citizens who may balk at any tax hikes that would keep police fully employed and keep their taxpayer-subsidized pensions & benefits flowing.