A 77-year-old Coast Guard veteran who has lived in Hollywood Beach since the late 1980s was dismissed from a $125 parking invoice after he asked 7News’ Help Me Howard for help.
Don Hanson said he drove through a private lot near his building to avoid going around the block, but he insists he never parked there. The company said his car was in the lot for 24 hours without payment. Hanson said the entry photo was from just after midnight on June 20, and the exit photo was taken the following night during another shortcut.
Hanson’s employer confirmed he was at work during the time the company said his car was parked. His pay stub showed he clocked in at 3 p.m. and clocked out at 11:29 p.m. Hanson said he could not afford the bill.
Howard Finkelstein said Florida law limits private parking companies and gives drivers a 15-minute grace period to find a space or change their minds. Finkelstein said Hanson fell within that window and the invoice should be canceled. A 7News reporter timed the shortcut at about 15 seconds.
After 7News contacted the company, it called the problem a “camera capture error” and dismissed the invoice. The company asked Hanson to stop using the lot as a shortcut, and he agreed. Howard advises drivers who receive similar invoices to check the details closely, since computers can make mistakes.
