Bruce Redwine says that he has watched Fairfax County parking enforcement officer tickets his customers cars for expired tags or inspection stickers for several years now. Finally, he says that he has had enough and is speaking out.
In almost all cases, he explains, the vehicles are waiting at his garage for state inspection or repair at his Chantilly, Virginia autoshop.
The last time it happened, the Washington Post reports that he snatched the latest ticket out of Officer Jacquelyn D. Hogues hand and added some profane commentary on top.
Officer Hogue didnt take kindly to having mean words written about her. As a result, she had Redwine arrested for felony assault on a police officer.
The most amazing thing is that parking enforcement officers arent technically police officers. But that didnt stop her buddies on the force from charging him accordingly.
When the case first went to court, Redwine was sentenced to four days in jail.
Thousands of dollars in legal fees later, Redwine has appealed and won an acquittal. But the whole incident has left him extremely bitter.
The Washington Post reports that Redwine doesnt understand why Fairfax police have zealously sought to enforce laws on expired tags or inspections, mainly on drivers who are making the effort to get their cars into compliance, while on private property.
Ray Barrera of A&H Equipment Repair said, theyre harassing the small businesses trying to make it in this tough economy.
He says his customers have been charged a total of $60,000 in fines and fees over the past six years
all while parked on his private property, and all while awaiting inspection for the things they were being ticketed for.
(Article by M. David and Jackson Marciana)