Graffetti printed on my SEL windshield

[mtb9153]

Wanted to share an unpleasant experience I had at work today, see attached picture.

 

I work part time in Palo Alto California as a supervisor for a school crossing guard company.  Today was the last day of the school year and I was working at this particular busy intersection crossing students.  When I returned from my 1 hour shift I found a Palo Alto Police officer standing next to my Max along with a nice older than me lady whom I found out was the owner of the home I was parked in front of.  As I approached I asked if there was a problem?  The officer said yes is this your vehicle?  You are illegally parked in the middle of her driveway opening.  She called and complained.  I said your kidding what driveway?  The officer said that driveway and proceeded to point to it.  Sure enough I was indeed parked in front of her driveway which I never saw in my hurry to park and get to my corner for work.

 

Rather than bore you with all the details I tried getting out of this obvious error on my part by using the excuse I never saw it or I never would have parked here if I had.  Followed by can't you cut me some slack since I'm a city servant ensuring the safety of the city's children?  The officer said sorry she (the owner) is filing a complaint so I have to write you a ticket for illegal parking per California vehicle code # XYZ.  So I have to pay $46 to clear this up.

 

Now here is the clincher and the root of my topic title above.  Apparently the woman before calling the police took matters into her own hands, maybe to vent her frustration over my doing this injustice to her?  I don't know.  But as the attached pictures shows she took a black felt tip marker and wrote a note across my windshield which was strategically written right in my line of sight behind the wheel.  The note reads..."Blocking Drive took a picture called the police.

 

Now is it just me or has this sweet old lady crossed the line and declared war on my CMax?  I think I have a case against her for trashing my private property.  I just might make a call to the Palo Alto City police tomorrow.  I was in the wrong I admit, but I think she crossed the line of her rights as a city property owner by writing on my car.  I just hope the writing will come off otherwise I'm going to need a new windshield.  As big as it is guess what that will cost?  Comments anyone?

[Jus-A-CMax]

It will come off but its all dependent on whether you want to press this issue or not. If you want to press it, pay a professional detailer to remove it, take the bill to to Small Claims court and file a suit, serve her the paper and let her sweat it out. However, its obvious that other people have parked in front of her driveway before as it sounds like its poorly marked and its obvious shes done this before to other cars.

 

Bottomline, you may be wrong but this does not give her the right or justification to vandalize your vehicle. Infact, graffiti is more serious charge. And she'll do this to other cars...but hey, it could be worse, you could have been towed and thats more money to take your car out of the pound.

 

Now U have to decide what karma you want out of this... :headscratch:

Edited May 31, 2013 by Jus-A-CMax

[mtb9153]

It will come off but its all dependent on whether you want to press this issue or not. If you want to press it, pay a professional detailer to remove it, take the bill to to Small Claims court and file a suit, serve her the paper and let her sweat it out. However, its obvious that other people have parked in front of her driveway before as it sounds like its poorly marked and its obvious shes done this before to other cars.

 

Bottomline, you may be wrong but this does not give her the right or justification to vandalize your vehicle. Infact, graffiti is more serious charge. And she'll do this to other cars...but hey, it could be worse, you could have been towed and thats more money to take your car out of the pound.

 

Now U have to decide what karma you want out of this... :headscratch:

Jus thanks for your thoughts.  I have to decided if it is worth my hassle to pursue this or let it go.  I'm just steaming right now that she did this.  Once I can cool off and see more clearly I'll probably let it go.

[Laurel]

I am surprised the police in attendance didn't call her out on the vandalism that she did.  I think in your shoes I would write a letter to the editor of your local paper including a picture and the address.  Sort of public shaming for punishment to her.  I wouldn't want to get tied up in court over this.  But she needs to be called out over it.  I'm sorry this happened.  What is wrong with people?

[Jus-A-CMax]

Jus thanks for your thoughts.  I have to decided if it is worth my hassle to pursue this or let it go.  I'm just steaming right now that she did this.  Once I can cool off and see more clearly I'll probably let it go.

Wise choice but no matter what - you should file a report with the police as soon as you can so its on record. You have the officer who ticketed you, file a report with him since he was there and saw the whole incident and you have the picture. Even better if you took a wide angle picture with her house in the background as well to prove the graffiti was done at her place. Don't leave it for too long and if you decide to let it slide, toss out the police report. 2 wrongs dont make a right.

 

 

Laurel - people are nasty, I think shes old and cranky that many drivers have obviously parked in front of her place but she is not doing anything to warn drivers since it sounds like this place, the drivway is not clear at all (not like a slab of concrete).

Edited May 31, 2013 by Jus-A-CMax

[mtb9153]

I am surprised the police in attendance didn't call her out on the vandalism that she did.  I think in your shoes I would write a letter to the editor of your local paper including a picture and the address.  Sort of public shaming for punishment to her.  I wouldn't want to get tied up in court over this.  But she needs to be called out over it.  I'm sorry this happened.  What is wrong with people?

Good idea

Laurel thanks

[mtb9153]

Wise choice but no matter what - you should file a report with the police as soon as you can so its on record. You have the officer who ticketed you, file a report with him since he was there and saw the whole incident and you have the picture. Even better if you took a wide angle picture with her house in the background as well to prove the graffiti was done at her place. Don't leave it for too long and if you decide to let it slide, toss out the police report. 2 wrongs dont make a right.

 

 

Laurel - people are nasty, I think shes old and cranky that many drivers have obviously parked in front of her place but she is not doing anything to warn drivers since it sounds like this place, the drivway is not clear at all (not like a slab of concrete).

Jus the driveway openings in this community are weird, it is a much older neighborhood and homes are worth well over $1million.  The concrete opening is really part of the rolled up curb.  Meaning the driveway is all part of the curb and causes quite a jolt as you drive up over it.  There really is no break in the curb for each homeowner.  Her driveway is a narrow old black top surface leading up to her home which is closed off by a wooden fence/gate maybe across it which is flush to the front offset of her home.  It didn't look like a driveway to me in my rush to park there.

[slampro]

I live 3 houses away from a middle school, and can tell you that people sometimes park in front of our driveway (sometimes just partially). Not often, and usually only once. We have never called the cops. We usually write a note(on paper) and place it on the windshield. We have 4 drivers in the house, each with their own car. The most effective way we have of getting our point across, is simply finishing the job. We will take the vehicles and arrange them on our property, and in the street(blocking our own access), and making it impossible for them to leave. :hysterical:  They then have to knock on the door, and we explain ourselves while unblocking their vehicle. That technique usually has no re-peat offenders. Sometimes they get a little upset, but usually they understand, some have even gone away kind of laughing.

[salsaguy]

...until the one that keys your doors, slashes your tires and comes knocking on your door with their 9mm!

Edited May 31, 2013 by salsaguy

[slampro]

Well, that hasn't happened, count it lucky if you want. I have cameras pointed at the drive(and street) and the front door. If we saw someone like that, well then yeah the police would be called, and I would have it videotaped. I have a german shepard behind the door, and well I live in Texas, so I'd tell them to bring the coroner too.

[fotomoto]

I live 3 houses away from a middle school, and can tell you that people sometimes park in front of our driveway (sometimes just partially). 

 

We leased a house with an option to purchased that was directly across the street from a large school (5th-12th).  We had lots of parking issues (blocking drive, parking on grass, etc) but over the year we lived there, the biggest issue was the constant trash dropped by kids walking to and fro'.

[ArizonaEnergi]

I would clean it off, drop it, and move on. The time to complain was when the policeman was standing there, but you missed that in all the excitement. I would fantasize about painting "NO PARKING" in dayglow orange paint across her curb some dark night, though, but that would be wrong too.

[Edsel]

Agree 100%

 

I would clean it off, drop it, and move on. The time to complain was when the policeman was standing there, but you missed that in all the excitement. I would fantasize about painting "NO PARKING" in dayglow orange paint across her curb some dark night, though, but that would be wrong too.

[Seth7721]

File a police report and go to a shop to get it fixed. Then take her on to Judge Judy to make her pay. If you do please tell us. I will have to make sure I look for your case on Judge Judy. 

The court is filmed in California you know.

[zhackwyatt]

I would think some rubbing alcohol would take if off.  If not, trace over it w/ a Dry Erase marker and it would come right off.  No need to pay a professional detalier.

[mtb9153]

Thanks all for your varying remarks.  Now that it has been almost 24 hours since the incident occurred.  I'm seeing it in a different light and leaning towards just removing the writing myself with a spray can of remover I have in my garage called "Goof Off", The Ultimate Remover.  Shows on the can that it removes marker pen ink, crayon, and lipstick.  So I think it will be off my windshield shortly.  I did call the city police complaint desk and found that no police report was filed by the officer who wrote me the ticket.  So there is no actual report on the incident in the daily police report which are posted online for public review.  But allot more serious crimes did happen yesterday so they have much bigger issues on their plate to deal with.  As ArizonaEnergi put it...I would clean it off, drop it, and move on.  But putting it on Judge Judy does seem exciting as mentioned by another owner.

[mtb9153]

The offensive writing on my windshield is gone.  Goof Off removed it in seconds plus it cleaned allot of other stuff off my glass like bug guts and flying debris remnants from normal driving.  Goof Off smells allot like a product I've used for years from 3M (adhesive remover) but can't find in local auto part stores any more.  This product should be used in a well ventilated area since it has a strong smell.  I suspect it contains property's much like CRC Industries Brakleen which can not be shipped to California anymore due to clean air regulations.

Edited May 31, 2013 by mtb9153

[dtorres]

Lol. You should have told the officer that you wanted a private person's arrest for vandalism and sent her to jail ;-)

 

As far as the parking ticket is concerned there's letter of the law and spirit of the law. He doesn't have to write the ticket just because she called and probably should not have in light of her writing on your car.

Edited June 1, 2013 by dtorres

[Jus-A-CMax]

Hee....mtb should go back there and park it again...but before doing it, set up a video camera to catch her writing on the screen. Oh she'll do it again and again...and mtb has the equipment. Lets see vandalism or parking infront of driveway...

 

Sorry, just being mischevious. Well, not sorry really... ;)

[Wingrider01]

I would clean it off, drop it, and move on. The time to complain was when the policeman was standing there, but you missed that in all the excitement. I would fantasize about painting "NO PARKING" in dayglow orange paint across her curb some dark night, though, but that would be wrong too.

 

I live right in between two very popular restaurants on either end of the block, on either side of my driveway is a No Parking sign, violators will be towed. About once a month I call the tow company to come get a car out of my driveway opening, the most recent was the last Friday, car was hooked and towed, owner could not pick it up unit this Tuesday, was a really expensive dinner for them - 300.00 tow charge, 100.00 a day storage, lot is not open on weekends or holidays. My job has me on call 7x24x365 and if I get called I have to get there as quickly as possible. 

 

By the way to the OP - the ticket is the proof that the officer was there. He or she was negligent in not pursuing the damage to personal property, the witch had no right to do what she did. Around here if the property damage is more then 750.00 it is a Class D felony, if under 750 it is a Class B misdemeanor, in a lot of the cases a 2nd degree Tampering charge can also be filed a class A misdemeanor. Not sure what the laws are in your area though

Edited June 1, 2013 by Wingrider01

[zhackwyatt]

I dunno, the damage wasn't permanent.  If it was on the paint, maybe a different story.  I tend to turn-the-cheek in these matters.  She probably has that problem a lot.  Not excusing her behavior, but sending her to jail and a fine for non-permanent damage is a little over board in my opinion.

[mtb9153]

Hee....mtb should go back there and park it again...but before doing it, set up a video camera to catch her writing on the screen. Oh she'll do it again and again...and mtb has the equipment. Lets see vandalism or parking infront of driveway...

 

Sorry, just being mischevious. Well, not sorry really... ;)

Jus I forgot to mention here that when I got back home there was a message on my answering machine from the police saying my car was illegally parked and if not moved it would be towed.  I wonder what they would have done about my dog which was waiting in the car?  He's not a big dog but very protective of my property.  He's a Westie and they bark allot when invaded.  Plus the tow truck driver would have had to deal with the Max not being in neutral or having the smart key fob in range, but I'm sure they have ways around those obstacles.  I went back to her house 24 hours after the fact and took the attached pictures.  There was a driveway but I sure never saw it.  How well! going to cost me 46 bucks to put it behind me.

Edited June 1, 2013 by mtb9153

[Noah Harbinger]

Jus I forgot to mention here that when I got back home there was a message on my answering machine from the police saying my car was illegally parked and if not moved it would be towed.  I wonder what they would have done about my dog which was waiting in the car?  He's not a big dog but very protective of my property.  He's a Westie and they bark allot when invaded.  Plus the tow truck driver would have had to deal with the Max not being in neutral or having the smart key fob in range, but I'm sure they have ways around those obstacles.  I went back to her house 24 hours after the fact and took the attached pictures.  There was a driveway but I sure never saw it.  How well! going to cost me 46 bucks to put it behind me.

 

Wow, that is an extremely well camouflaged driveway!

[ScubaDadMiami]

Sometimes, you have to make a stand.  Sometimes, life is too short.  If only I could figure out which to choose when.  ;)

[Jus-A-CMax]

Yeah its hard to see but no doubt, the concrete does delineate a driveway - next time check carefully. I once got done for parking in a lane that was suppose to be clear for the gutter cleaning but that was my fault for not being dilligent in an innoculous looking street.