Camera glitch erased $125 parking fine for veteran who drove through lot in 15 seconds

A private parking company in Hollywood Beach voided a $125 invoice for Don Hanson after admitting a camera error caused the charge. The 77-year-old Coast Guard veteran disputed the bill after the firm claimed his vehicle occupied a space for 24 hours without payment. Hanson said he only drove through the lot to reach a spot near his building.

The dispute began on June 20, when the company recorded Hanson’s car entering the property just after midnight. The system failed to capture his immediate exit. Instead, the invoice paired that entry with an exit photo from the following night. This pairing made two separate trips appear as one long stay. Hanson noted that his actual trip through the lot lasted less than a minute.

Hanson provided proof that he was working during the time the company said he was parked. His employer confirmed he drove to work that day. His pay stub showed a shift starting at 3 p.m. and ending at 11:29 p.m. WSVN’s Help Me Howard contacted the employer, which verified the schedule and Hanson’s presence on the job.

The company issued the charge after its camera software malfunctioned. WSVN tested Hanson’s route and completed the drive in 15 seconds. The station presented the employer’s confirmation and the timing data to the parking firm. The company acknowledged the capture error and dismissed the $125 fee.

Howard Finkelstein, the host of the Help Me Howard program, explained that Florida law grants drivers a 15-minute grace period. He stated that private companies cannot charge a driver solely for passing through a property. The ruling aligns with the state's regulations on temporary stops in private lots.

Hanson has lived in Hollywood Beach since the late 1980s. He described the area as crowded but expressed pride in his military service. He recalled losing a close friend in Vietnam in 1969. The unexpected parking fee added pressure to his finances, as he was already managing other bills.

The parking company asked Hanson to stop using the lot as a shortcut in the future. Hanson agreed to the request. He described the resolution as one less burden while he continues to cover his living expenses. The firm removed the charge from his account following the investigation.