Authorities Investigate Company Accused Of Giving Bogus Parking Tickets
Investigators Say Criminal Charges Expected
Updated: 8:58 am CDT May 30, 2008
DEFOREST, Wis. -- A Madison-based company is the subject of an investigation by state and local officials into reports of area residents getting fake parking tickets.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportThe company, a private security firm, isn't authorized to write tickets, WISC-TV reported.Madison and DeForest police, along with the Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing, executed search warrants at the headquarters of Metropolitan Protective Services, located on Seybold Road, as well as at the DeForest home of the company's owners.According to a police news release, authorities said the investigation began after several Madison residents said that they received parking citations on their vehicles. The citations identified the company as Metropolitan Private Police and requested them to send payment to a DeForest PO box.Sarah Peeler is one of at least a dozen people who received a ticket in recent weeks when parked legally in front of her own apartment. She found a $25 ticket on her car."I didn't know why because I was home. I live here and I pay rent here," she said.She said that she became concerned when the ticket threatened to suspend her license if not paid on time and there was no way to fight it."I had some stuff in my trunk that I wanted to unload so I pulled there. I went in the house, I was in there for about less than 30 minutes. I came back out and didn't notice the ticket right away," she said.Peeler said that the address on the ticket was a PO Box in DeForest, but she didn't think that made sense and left messages with the company but never heard back."If it goes past the due date, then it doubles and I get suspended license. So that's when I was like, I need to call somebody and talk about this because I don't want my license to get suspended," she said.Madison police said that the bogus tickets have been popping up all month, starting at Peeler's apartment on Atticus Way and spreading to other apartments and businesses."It's against state law to simulate a legal process, which a parking ticket is. You can't do that," said Madison Police Capt. Jay Lengfeld.Authorities said that at least two people are involved in the scam.Both cities' police departments said that motorists shouldn't pay such a ticket, and instead should contact DeForest police."I just don't know who's doing this stuff or why people have time on their hands to do that. I mean, I go to work, I don't make much, I'm just a regular citizen," said Peeler.Authorities said that they've met with the Dane County district attorney's office and criminal charges are expected.Police said that no arrests have been made at this time although they expect the business owner to be charged with attempted theft by deception, simulating a legal process, and threats to accuse of a crime.WISC-TV attempted to contact Metropolitan Protective Services on Thursday, and was referred to another number. As of late Thursday night, that call wasn't returned.Stay tuned to WISC-TV and Channel 3000 for continuing coverage.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportThe company, a private security firm, isn't authorized to write tickets, WISC-TV reported.Madison and DeForest police, along with the Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing, executed search warrants at the headquarters of Metropolitan Protective Services, located on Seybold Road, as well as at the DeForest home of the company's owners.According to a police news release, authorities said the investigation began after several Madison residents said that they received parking citations on their vehicles. The citations identified the company as Metropolitan Private Police and requested them to send payment to a DeForest PO box.Sarah Peeler is one of at least a dozen people who received a ticket in recent weeks when parked legally in front of her own apartment. She found a $25 ticket on her car."I didn't know why because I was home. I live here and I pay rent here," she said.She said that she became concerned when the ticket threatened to suspend her license if not paid on time and there was no way to fight it."I had some stuff in my trunk that I wanted to unload so I pulled there. I went in the house, I was in there for about less than 30 minutes. I came back out and didn't notice the ticket right away," she said.Peeler said that the address on the ticket was a PO Box in DeForest, but she didn't think that made sense and left messages with the company but never heard back."If it goes past the due date, then it doubles and I get suspended license. So that's when I was like, I need to call somebody and talk about this because I don't want my license to get suspended," she said.Madison police said that the bogus tickets have been popping up all month, starting at Peeler's apartment on Atticus Way and spreading to other apartments and businesses."It's against state law to simulate a legal process, which a parking ticket is. You can't do that," said Madison Police Capt. Jay Lengfeld.Authorities said that at least two people are involved in the scam.Both cities' police departments said that motorists shouldn't pay such a ticket, and instead should contact DeForest police."I just don't know who's doing this stuff or why people have time on their hands to do that. I mean, I go to work, I don't make much, I'm just a regular citizen," said Peeler.Authorities said that they've met with the Dane County district attorney's office and criminal charges are expected.Police said that no arrests have been made at this time although they expect the business owner to be charged with attempted theft by deception, simulating a legal process, and threats to accuse of a crime.WISC-TV attempted to contact Metropolitan Protective Services on Thursday, and was referred to another number. As of late Thursday night, that call wasn't returned.Stay tuned to WISC-TV and Channel 3000 for continuing coverage.Copyright 2008 by Channel 3000. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
