Ticketed Valentine Seeks Parking Justice

Chris Kruse

Kruse's paid street parking expired at 6:56 p.m.

a ticket written one minute after expiration." Well, Chris Kruse did after he and his wife went to Chez Shea on Saturday for their early Valentines Day celebration, paid $8 for downtown street parking, and then returned to their parking spot to find, as Kruse told me over e-mail, "."

"My wife was irritated," Kruse said. "I was shocked. We both thought it was petty. My reaction is that next time I'll park in a private lot. Cost is similar enough. I know the city is desperate for money, but I work hard to earn mine and have choices as to who I give it to. The food was perfect, just was unfortunate to have that extra city tax."

Chris Kruse

Kruse's ticket was written at 6:57 p.m.

Recall what William Edwards, Director of Parking Enforcement for the Seattle Police Department, told me back in December:

"Our philosophy, and what we put out, is: 'Don't do that. Don't write people tickets one minute after. Go around the block, come back later' ... We shouldn't be writing anybody tickets for one minute after."

I'll be back in touch with Edwards about the case of Chris Kruse, and will let you know what I hear.