When there are many people using common facilities, we need rules to ensure that residents and their guests people have fair access.

Before we look at various questions and answers, perhaps it would help if you knew a little about PATROL ONE's business philosophy, and how that influences your association's parking enforcement.

We work at the pleasure of your Board of Directors and Property Manager. Working with them, we have developed and received approval for all parking enforcement rules.

The parking rules of most community associations differ, one from another, in some manner. All the rules for the properties we service are tailored to specific needs of that community.

Please note: Your association's parking rules can be found in not only the CC&R's, but also in the Parking Rules and Regulations for that association. In most associations, the Board of Directors is empowered to make whatever Parking Rules and Regulations they deem necessary and appropriate.

PATROL ONE does not make any of the parking rules or regulations for your association.

The following questions and answers are generally true and appropriate; however, questions and answers specific to your exact case and association may vary somewhat. We hope the following will answer most of your questions.

Have questions regarding a citation/violation? Visit our Citation Questions section for additional citation descriptions.

1. What does the California Vehicle Code have to say about the authority of my association to make rules in regard to parking?   back to top
If you will refer to the California Department of Motor Vehicles Code, 22658 and 22658.2, you will find the answer. Please note that 22658.2 is the section specifically designed for Common Interest Developments. You can find this information by going through a link on the Patrol One website (www.patrol-one.com)

2. If I didn't get a citation, is the towing of my vehicle illegal?   back to top
No. All citations are courtesy notices, except in those cases where the association fines violators. Therefore, it is not necessary for you to acknowledge the citation in order to be subject to towing.

3. May I demand of PATROL ONE, copies of the citation I received, or did not receive, but they say was issued?   back to top
No. PATROL ONE's officers cite vehicles, turn the citations into the PATROL ONE data entry personnel where they are placed in a database. The citation is then destroyed to save storage space. Keeping hard copies of citations is laborious and costly, and really proves nothing. The officer will testify that he wrote the citation, and the fact that it is in the computer proves some else saw it.

And, we have had several cases of people removing the cites from other people's cars. It seems these misguided individuals believe they are somehow saving the violator from being towed or fined.

4. Does PATROL ONE have some "arrangement" with the towing company(s)?   back to top
No. California State law specifically precludes a security company from owning any part of a towing company, and vice versa. Further, PATROL ONE's policy is to have an "at arms length" relationship with all towing companies and as such does not take "kick backs", "finder's fees", or other forms of remuneration. If you are able to prove otherwise, PATROL ONE encourage you to file a lawsuit.

5. Are PATROL ONE's patrol officers blind, or stupid?   back to top
Neither is the case. We do hire real people; people who, from time to time, do make honest mistakes. Most frequently, however, we find cases where a violator claims he/she was cited or towed in error, which turns out to be a case where the violator does not understand the community association's rules.

6. What is Safelisting?   back to top
Most associations have areas such as Guest Parking which become jammed with the same cars every night, unless there is a program in place to restrict parking. One way to resolve that issue is to "inventory" all the cars in that area every night and cite those which exceed some reasonable number of nights. PATROL ONE has developed an improved method of restricting parking in these areas. This method requires any vehicle in the subject area after 10:00 p.m. or midnight (choice is up to the Board of Directors) to be SAFELISTed, or be subject to citation(s) and towing.

SAFELISTing requires a resident to either visit our website or call Patrol One and supply certain vehicle information. The guest will be given a confirmation number to put on a piece of paper and display in their windshield so the patrolling officer knows to leave the vehicle alone. SAFELISTing is generally restricted by the Board to 10 days in 90 days, in order to free up much needed guest parking spaces.

Most associations ask us to also note the name of the caller, his/her address, and a call-back number.

Note: Not all associations offer Safelisting, and Safelisting rules may vary. check with your Property Manager if you are unsure about your association's Safelisting guidelines.

7. Explain Permits, Decals, Passes & Hangtags   back to top
In order for the associations to control parking and so the parking enforcement officer can know who is who, various parking programs have been developed using different types of identifying objects. Depending on the association's intentions and goals, PATROL ONE might suggest any of the above items.

8. Who do I call for a Permit?   back to top
Depending on the association and its rules, you may be eligible to obtain a parking permit through your property manager or from PATROL ONE direct. If you will call PATROL ONE during normal business hours, we can assist you in determining your best course of action.

9. Explain the "rolling" ticket window and Inventory Window.   back to top
When determining whether or not a vehicle is subject to tow, the association rules usually say something like, "Cite twice, and tow on the third violation." Of course, the next question is, "During what period?" To say that the look back period is 10 years would be too long. No one would remember being cited for something 10 years ago. To say one week would allow someone to be in violation twice in a week and that's too often. So, the "window" is the look back period, and it's most frequently 180 days. The period is chosen by the association, so check with yours to be specific. Note that the window is a "rolling" one and as such, it means we take the last citation and look back from it the number of days in the window. For example, if the rule is cite twice and tow the third violation in 180 days, and the vehicle was cited on July 16th and September 10th, and today is December 1st, we'd look back 180 days to June 4th, and see there are two prior cites and today's cite which will be the third in 180 days. The vehicle is subject to tow.

10. Do all citations have to be for the same violation to make the vehicle 'subject to tow'?   back to top
Almost without exception, associations stipulate that cites are cumulative toward eligibility to be towed, and are not required to be for the same violation to accumulate.

11. Why didn't the officer who towed my car, not knock on my door and advise me?   back to top
We used to do that until we found that people would park in the fire lane and wait for the officer to come to their door and knock. Unfortunately, people took advantage.

It's interesting to note that it takes us about 20 minutes, minimum, to arrange for a tow. So, if your vehicle is towed from a fire lane and your excuse is that you were away from it for just five minutes, be aware that it takes much longer than that to arrange for a tow.

12. A vehicle is in my Assigned Space. Will PATROL ONE tow it?   back to top
PATROL ONE works for the association and in that capacity is allowed to enforce association rules in the "common area." Usually, your assigned space, in legal terms is referred to as "exclusive use space." As that, it is legally very similar to being your garage. Therefore, if someone has parked in your space, they have injured you and not the association. Consequently, as agents of the association, PATROL ONE cannot act on your behalf, so you will have to do that. PATROL ONE will be happy to give you the number to a reputable tow company, however, you must call them and must sign for the tow.

13. PATROL ONE did not accept a note I left on my dash.   back to top
We did accept notes years ago, but what we found was that people began to write notes every night and sometimes the notes were very vague and although they might show a reason for the violation, the reason might not be valid. Therefore, to make it uniform, we eliminated the confusion by eliminating the notes. Remember, you can call PATROL ONE , 24/7 if you have an emergency reason for violating and the person who answers will tell you whether or not your association will allow a variance. Some will, and some will not. Please note that a "Confirmation Number" written on a piece of paper is not the same as a descriptive "note" asking us not to tow a particular vehicle. Confirmation Numbers are accepted as proof that a vehicle was Safelisted with us, while "notes" are not accepted.

14. I have a garaged vehicle with a permit, but I need to park outside for a couple of nights.   back to top
In almost every case, your association allows PATROL ONE to SAFELIST your garaged vehicle for some period of time. Again, it all depends on your association rules. Call us and we will check for you.

15. Commercial and R.V. Rules.   back to top
Most associations do not allow commercial vehicles, nor do they allow recreational vehicles. The exceptions MAY be for commercial vehicles, which are engaged in providing some service to a residence and recreational vehicles which are being loaded and unloaded. The rules are specific to each association. Check your association rules.

In general, Commercial Vehicles are vehicles which exhibit any of the following attributes:

1. Logos
2. Company Names
3. Telephone Numbers
4. Over 3/4 Ton
5. Ladders
6. Racks
7. Tool Boxes

In general, Recreational Vehicles are those which are like the following:

1. Motor Homes
2. Trailers of all types
3. Personal Watercraft
4. Boats
5. Aircraft
6. Cab-over Campers
7. Unlicensed Vehicles

16. I need to Safelist a vehicle with no license plate!   back to top
To request a Safelist for a vehicle that does not have a license plate, please use the last eight (8) digits of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), usually located on a metal plate on the dashboard of the vehicle. If the vehicle does receive license plates prior to the expiration of your Safelist request, you must notify us via telephone (714.541.0999) of the chage, so we may update your records.

16. At what time does my Safelist expire?   back to top
Safelists are valid from the day requested, until noon the following day. Example: A Safelist requested for 06/26/06 would become valid at noon on 06/26/06, and expire at noon on 06/27/06.

Still Have Questions?

If you have carefully read the above, and still have questions, please feel free to call PATROL ONE for our assistance. We may be reached at any of the following:

• 714.541.0999
• 949.367.8055
• www.patrol-one.com