From California Post · · 1m 20s
LA caught issuing 12,500 bogus street sweeping tickets
City claimed it was proactively dismissing erroneous fines, but thousands remained on the books.
In brief
City claimed it was proactively dismissing erroneous fines, but thousands remained on the books. Los Angeles issued over 12,500 street sweeping tickets on days when no sweeping occurred, worth nearly $1 million in fines. Originally reported by California Post.
LA issued tickets with no sweeping
The city wrote over 12,500 street sweeping tickets on days when no sweeping was scheduled. The bogus fines totaled nearly $1 million.
City claimed proactive dismissals
LADOT initially downplayed the problem, saying it occasionally dismissed erroneous tickets proactively and sent reimbursement instructions to drivers who paid.
Thousands of tickets stayed active
Only about 1,800 of the 12,500 erroneous tickets had been canceled. LADOT later found 4,600 more cancellations but couldn't explain why they were missing from its data.
Department announces audit
After being questioned about the discrepancy, LADOT announced it would audit the citations and reimburse any paid tickets issued in error.
“LADOT is committed to fair and transparent parking enforcement policies”
Poor neighborhoods hit hardest
Fewer than 5% of roughly 2,000 questionable citations in South Park, one of LA's poorest neighborhoods, were dismissed.
“I can't buy food if I have to pay a ticket”
350 drivers never got refunds
About 350 motorists who paid erroneous citations in 2025 were never reimbursed, with the city blaming some drivers for not responding to notices.
What to remember
Los Angeles issued over 12,500 street sweeping tickets on days when no sweeping occurred, worth nearly $1 million in fines.
