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Yes, Really: City Workers Paint Handicapped Sign Around Woman’s Car…Then Tow It

Feb. 6, 2013 5:29pm Madeleine Morgenstern

City Workers Paint Handicapped Sign Around Womans Car...Then Tow the Car Away

Image source: YouTube

A Tel Aviv student thought she was safe to leave her car parked in a legal parking spot on the street Sunday.

She was wrong.

When Hila Ben-Baruch returned in the evening, her car was gone — with a newly-painted handicapped parking sign in its place.

“I have parked on that street for nearly half a year, [I live there] and know well where I can and can’t park,” she wrote in Hebrew on her Facebook page, according to the Times of Israel.

Ben-Baruch called the city to find out how her car could have been towed from a once-legal parking spot in a matter of hours with no advance warning. Instead, she was accused of knowingly parking in a handicapped spot and told she’d have to pay 1,350 shekels — about $365 — in towing and violation fees.

On Monday, she went to the building across from where she’d parked with the hope there might be security camera footage to prove her innocence. She was in luck.

“While the car was parked in a white-and-blue [legal] zone, two city hall workers arrived and began painting a handicapped space around the car!” Ben-Baruch wrote. Viewing the footage, she said she didn’t know whether to “cry or scream.”

She posted the video on Facebook and had her story quickly go viral — it was shared thousands of times and she made national news in Israel.

Tel Aviv’s mayor and deputy mayor each apologized for the incident and said it had all been a mistake: It’s apparently fine for city workers to re-designate a parking spot — even if occupied — but workers are supposed to inform the parking inspectors’ office that the vehicle had been parked legally.

The city released Ben-Baruch’s car and waived all fines against her.

(H/T: Gawker)

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Comments (92)

Advection
Posted on February 6, 2013 at 9:30pm
She was guilty until proven innocent, and all she got for being falsely accused was a “sorry”.

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- El Pistoffo
  Posted on February 6, 2013 at 9:50pm
  This crap infuriates me. They always get off with some stupid little excuse, “it was a mistake.” STFU!!! You got caught. She should get her own damn parking spot for a year for the crap they tried pulling on her. Just saying “its a mistake” doesn’t cut it any more. Consequences do.
  
  Report this comment
- American Soldier (Separated)
  Posted on February 6, 2013 at 11:28pm
  What are you talking about?! They “gave” her $365!!!
  
  Report this comment
- dfissell
  Posted on February 7, 2013 at 12:17am
  whats get me is why the car parked in the non parking zone was not towed also ?
  
  Report this comment
- KyleD
  Posted on February 7, 2013 at 1:39am
  Seriously, even in the US if you make a mistake as a citizen you get thrown a giant fine and possible jail time but if you make a mistake as a government official all you have to do is say “oops” and get away with it.
  
  Report this comment
- Walkabout
  Posted on February 7, 2013 at 6:04am
  KyleD
  Diito, you have that right.
  
  Report this comment
- 4xeverything
  Posted on February 7, 2013 at 8:10am
  Wait…she wasn’t physically harmed. She didn’t lose money. She was falsely accused and then she was vindicated. She doesn’tdeserve anything but a real appology…nothing more. Remember, this is how the entitlement mentality begins…you don’t deserve more than what it is you have people.
  
  Report this comment
- ThemDemsLie2much
  Posted on February 7, 2013 at 9:19am
  Yep! They were wrong because they got caught on film. Democrats are everywhere!
  
  Report this comment
- Dismayed Veteran
  Posted on February 7, 2013 at 9:39am
  The painters need to be executed by death by parking tickets.
  
  An apology is what was required and one was given. In the real world, people make mistakes all the time. Often only a sincere apology is needed to right the matter. If this happened in the US, there would be people posting on this site that the painters should be fired, their boss should be fired and the city sued. Maybe just civility towards a simple mistake should be the first course of action.
  
  Report this comment
- Xyskalla
  Posted on February 7, 2013 at 10:38am
  I completely agree with you, 4xeverything. I think people are just tired of the double-standard that if we make a mistake, we pay through the nose, but if they make a mistake, there are no consequences.
  
  Report this comment
- OutOfTheAether
  Posted on February 7, 2013 at 11:25am
  She should check to see if they got any paint or scratches on her car a sue for damages
  
  Report this comment
- innocent1bystander
  Posted on February 7, 2013 at 11:36am
  At least they waived the fines in NYC or San Francisco, they would have charged her regardless. She would have had to take them to court which they know would cost her more than the citation. That’s straight from the progressive playbook, that’s why they keep fining the Amish dairy farmers only to lose again and again in court. They know they’re violating the rule of law by prosecuting the Amish, but hope to force the Amish to submit to their unconstitutional regulations by bankrupting them with legal costs.
  
  Report this comment
- smllms
  Posted on February 7, 2013 at 11:49am
  4xeverything
  
  Normally, I would agree. By far, most mistakes require nothing more than an apology to be done. In this case, I don’t. 1)There could be damage to her car, and it should be returned to her in the same condition she left it. 2)She should be reimbursed for time lost, as though the city rented her vehicle. 3)She should be reimbursed for her time spent doing the detective work to bring light to the truth–did she have to take time off work? miss classes? did it cost her anything (cab fare)?
  
  If I make a mistake that costs someone I always offer to reimburse them. Also, I teach my children that part of apologizing is discovering how they can make things right between them and the person they wronged. Sometimes, nothing is necessary. Sometimes, it’s just a commitment not to repeat the action. Sometimes, they need to replace what they deprived the other person of. Why would that not apply here?
  
  Report this comment
- HisStoryUn
  Posted on February 7, 2013 at 12:34pm
  If this woman had not had the video, the violation and fine would have stood. She would have been forced by tyrants to submit even though they were wrong (and likely deliberately so)! An apology would never suffice if the actions were on purpose and the story doesn’t say for certain either way. I tend to see this skeptically and from the prism of the government is usually willing to hurt individuals because they can. If they get caught, “oops” is all you get. They are basically evil and no “sorry” will change that.
  
  Report this comment
- Artiewhitefox
  Posted on February 7, 2013 at 3:29pm
  The people that painted around her car are not sorry at all. They are sorry they did not get away with deceptive thievery.
  
  Report this comment
Liberal_Christian
Posted on February 6, 2013 at 9:28pm
that’s crazy

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judyaz
Posted on February 6, 2013 at 9:21pm
Amazing.

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Dkoonz
Posted on February 6, 2013 at 9:11pm
Another scam to get more money for the city.

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- Sparhawk
  Posted on February 6, 2013 at 9:26pm
  And this one wasn’t even the Democrats.
  
  Report this comment
- SgtB
  Posted on February 6, 2013 at 9:41pm
  Tow truck services are a racket. I’ve seen a guy have his truck break down and have to leave it on the side for a couple hours while he went to get parts; only to return to no truck and to have to pay more than $300 to the tow truck company and all the while get hassled for proof of insurance and registration which were in the glovebox of the car (which he wasn’t allowed to retrieve). Personally, I find it very startling that more tow truck drivers don’t have arson committed against their homes.
  
  I understand their legitimate uses. But they are used far to liberally and they commit grand theft on a daily basis.
  
  Report this comment
- El Pistoffo
  Posted on February 6, 2013 at 9:53pm
  SGTB
  Posted on February 6, 2013 at 9:41pm
  Tow truck services are a racket and they commit grand theft on a daily basis.
  —————————————————————————————————————-
  You sir are correct
  
  Report this comment
- Xiccarph
  Posted on February 7, 2013 at 11:02am
  The ways a gov’t at any level can raise money is only limited by their imagination. Since they make the rules/laws, and their badges give them the power, the Proletariat have zero to say or do about it. Grabbing the people’s money is the goal of every gov’t, regardless of what flag they operate under.
  
  As for private towing companies, they are contracted by the city/state/whatever, gov’t bodies. Its the bureaucrats that tell the towers who to tow. Its easy to blame the tow companies, but they are doing what they are told by the lawful powers who hired them…its not up to them to tow or not to tow. Its easy to blame them cuz they are the ones you have to deal with directly, but they, like you, have to dance to the tune of the “authorities” with the badges, guns and laws to tell them to do what they do. City run towing departments are a different animal, but they also follow orders of superiors, who being an “authority” as opposed to a private contractor, are usually more of a pain because they are driven as part of the authority to grab make as much money as possible.
  Traffic rules/laws are big money…the more laws they make, the more money they make. Handicapped spots, child car seats, seat belts, and the latest gold mine, “inattentive driving” and cellphones, and excuse to pull you over lines their pockets. And who can argue with the “..if we can only save one life by passing this law…” speeches? Its their raison d’etre.
  
  Report this comment
hades3
Posted on February 6, 2013 at 8:55pm
Not new! I lived in a 13 unit condo development at one time. The street was re surfaced after 6 years. When the yellow lines were repainted, a set of double yellow lines were repainted, which indicated the space between the sets of lines were considered a traffic island. Two residents of the complex were cited when thy crossed the island too make a left hand turn into the only entrance of the complex. The alternative was to pass their drive way, drive a half mile before they could make a u turn. I went too city hall and complained. Too late the residents had already paid their fines.

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denkat56
Posted on February 6, 2013 at 8:49pm
Holy cow I thought that meter maids were tough.

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Miami
Posted on February 6, 2013 at 8:10pm
It looks funnier than it is

Yes they did paint the box but the sign and the blue sidewalk curb was there.

Still very funny

PS: is it still towing when they lift it up?

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- hslusher
  Posted on February 7, 2013 at 12:53am
  the legal parking spaces are blue read the article before commenting
  
  Report this comment
- Miami
  Posted on February 7, 2013 at 3:28am
  Whoever wrote the article is a fool White and blue are legal
  
  White – common
  
  Blue – handicap
  
  Red – illegal
  
  Not to say the sign posted by the tree…!
  
  I read the article and watched the video
  
  Report this comment
- mzk1
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 1:52am
  Sorry – in Israel blue means legal but generally means there is a fee for parking there.
  
  Handicap spaces tend to be assigned to individuals, so probably the person requested to park. The criminal here is the lazy worker who refused to look into the issue. It could, however, be an issue of understaffing, not uncommon here in Israel.
  
  Report this comment
JUSTANOTHEROPINION
Posted on February 6, 2013 at 7:48pm
I can’t type and laugh hysterically so never mind!!!

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perry1980
Posted on February 6, 2013 at 7:25pm
Stay in America

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- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on February 6, 2013 at 8:57pm
  You mean like in NYC, Chicago, DC, LA, or other U.S. metropolitan area where the mayor would tell you go take a hike, but pay your fine first. I can hear Nanny Doomberg now. At least their mayor and deputy mayor not only apologized but made sure the fines were waived.
  
  Report this comment
nesmond
Posted on February 6, 2013 at 7:22pm
Looks as if Hamas or Hezbollah are changing their tactics. Instead of blowing up pizza parlors and such, they have decided to just cause inconvenience and legal troubles to their victims.

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Saff SGT
Posted on February 6, 2013 at 7:21pm
This is why it is important in US we keep all gun rights even if we have to draw a line in the sand, eheheheheh

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BlackCrow
Posted on February 6, 2013 at 6:47pm
They would have to paint over my disabled veteran license plate.

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nzkiwi
Posted on February 6, 2013 at 6:10pm
Local and national governments all over the world are staffed by dishonest people who believe, with some justification, that they can do whatever they want and get away with it.

On the rare occassions that they get caught, they simply say that it was all a misunderstanding and apologise.

In New Zealand it is sometimes possible to lay a complaint of abuse of bureaucratic power, and that is probably the same in Israel. The downside is that these people are often also vindictive and will find a way to gain retribution in the future…

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- decendentof56
  Posted on February 6, 2013 at 8:06pm
  NZKIWI……
  Right you are. I worked a second career with Verizon and spent that time in Philthadelphia. The Philthy Parking Auth is ruthless. One day I went to my truck and found TWO tickets under the wiper blade! It didn’t matter if you were a utility serving their city or not, they lived to ticket!
  
  By the way, do you know ‘Kiwi’ Trevor Loudon? He spoke at our Tea Party meeting last year. What a great speaker! I first saw him in the film “Agenda”, Grinding Down America.
  He knows way more than 99% of the stupid Americans who are trying as hard as possible to give away their freedom. How right Yuri Bezmanov was over 30 years ago when he tried to tell us how our youth’s minds were being turned into mush.
  
  Report this comment
- nzkiwi
  Posted on February 7, 2013 at 2:01am
  I haven’t meet Trevor Loudon but I would very much like to one day. I go to his site regularly and it’s well worth a visit if you haven’t been their recently. His research is superb; I don’t know how he does it.
  
  http://www.trevorloudon.com/
  
  Today’s front page of his site is very interesting.
  
  There is usually a lot of reading involved so people like Supah, and his fellow trolls, would not be interested. It is well worth setting time aside for it.
  
  Report this comment
Ghandi was a Republican
Posted on February 6, 2013 at 6:08pm
Rather efficient for Government work!

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- mewnani
  Posted on February 7, 2013 at 8:51am
  They’re always quick to get money from you but slow to give them money they promised beforehand to you.
  
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Beachmastermax
Posted on February 6, 2013 at 6:08pm
Grand theft auto with a hate crime adder. Arrest the employees involved.

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UNALIEN
Posted on February 6, 2013 at 6:05pm
another funny Italian fiat stuck in roadway
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Kq9MBm1Piko

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- steve-in-pa
  Posted on February 6, 2013 at 7:45pm
  That’s a good one, a Catholic procession, bikers and a bunch of cops. I was keeping an eye out for the vestal virgins and some gladiators, they had to be coming along next, lol.
  
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circleDwagons
Posted on February 6, 2013 at 5:58pm
Where is The Jerk? This one is too eazy.

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- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on February 6, 2013 at 9:02pm
  I was wondering the same. Hating Israel and Jews in general must make one tiresome. I know that I am tired of him.
  
  Report this comment
helmuit_7
Posted on February 6, 2013 at 5:57pm
This is sure gonna sell alot of new tow trucks

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- littlebitflighty
  Posted on February 6, 2013 at 6:37pm
  THAT’S what I thought! Never seen one like that LOL
  
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Larry E
Posted on February 6, 2013 at 5:52pm
If it’d happened in the Peoples Republic of NY she’d have been outta luck I’ll betcha.

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- gosutag
  Posted on February 6, 2013 at 6:01pm
  Stop being so ignorant. Do you really think all people in NY are exactly the same?
  
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- John.Galt
  Posted on February 6, 2013 at 6:12pm
  @Gosutag – read what Larry E wrote, it said nothing about the people of NY…
  
  Why are you New Yorkers so sensitive! ROTFLMAO!
  
  Report this comment
- John.Galt
  Posted on February 6, 2013 at 6:13pm
  In NY the fine would be $1000 and it would take 2 weeks for them to find your car!
  
  Report this comment
- Cherokee160
  Posted on February 6, 2013 at 6:13pm
  Yes, Gosutag…We do!
  
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Bookster
Posted on February 6, 2013 at 5:41pm
You might want to actually read the story. It isn’t here in the USA where we can sue anything that has a pulse, it was in Tel Aviv.

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neiman1
Posted on February 6, 2013 at 5:39pm
All governments are the same. They are out of control

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publicas
Posted on February 6, 2013 at 5:35pm
Gotta make some coin for the city coffers somehow. Much safer than having cops patrol and bust perps in ‘scary’ sections of town…

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Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on February 6, 2013 at 5:35pm
Great Googely Moogely, don’t tell Bloomberg about this, he will solve the entire cities budget, New York States Budget, and balance our budget, all within a year. There will be Handicap spots everywhere, even park benches will have them.

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- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on February 6, 2013 at 9:07pm
  Yeah, but think of all the paint they would have to purchase in bulk on the NYC economy, and the overtime for painters and tow truck drivers.
  
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- Twobyfour
  Posted on February 7, 2013 at 7:32am
  They can use chalk instead. The advantage would be that chalk is impermanent and can be always
  “re”-applied to spots where there’s a car.
  
  Report this comment
DefyTYRANNY
Posted on February 6, 2013 at 5:32pm
Wow thats some Roscoe P Coaltrain s*** right there!

Hehehe, I love it. C’mon flash lets go.

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- urnokid
  Posted on February 6, 2013 at 6:18pm
  Boss Hogg made them do it
  
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Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on February 6, 2013 at 5:32pm
She should sue the city for all she could get. This is a flagrant violation of the law.

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- 3monkeysmomma
  Posted on February 6, 2013 at 5:37pm
  This is Israel.
  I don’t know if its against the law, but it sure ought to be.
  
  Report this comment
- hkyfan36
  Posted on February 6, 2013 at 5:43pm
  She lives in Israel which means she is on the the obama drone kill list. Her car towed is the least of her worries.
  
  Report this comment

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