METERMAN” vs. LOS ANGELES!

(May 10, 2007 – Los Angeles, CA) – In response to purposefully confusing parking signs, malfunctioning meters and over-zealous enforcement officers, “Meterman” (aka Troy Griffin) is ready to wage his next battle on the streets of Los Angeles. In his single-minded quest to increase awareness of this widespread problem, “Meterman” has been spotted throughout Los Angeles, armed with a “superpower” available to all; a quarter.

SEC. 88.12. of the Los Angeles Municipal Code reads: It shall be unlawful for any person to deposit or cause to be deposited in a parking meter any coin for the purpose of increasing or extending the parking time of any vehicle beyond the legal parking time which has been established by the Department for the parking space adjacent to which said meter is placed. In other words…”Don’t feed the meters!” The question then becomes, is Meterman breaking the law?

“Absolutely not!” replies “Meterman” / Griffin from his Hermosa Beach base. “This is one example of how the law is written to be deceiving. It is perfectly legal to add money to a meter as long as the car doesn’t stay parked beyond the posted time.” Griffin, who originated Meterman in his home state of North Carolina before bringing his fight to the “car capital” of the world, goes on to say, “The only way to determine how long a car has been parked in one spot is by parking enforcement officers “chalking” the tires so the burden of proof lies on the city.”

Meterman originated in North Carolina, as part a local television show produced by Griffin titled Random Insanity, and the character quickly stuck a chord with audiences and local media. “I was amazed at how quickly people picked up on the idea of Meterman,” says Griffin. “The added bonus was the feeling I got by helping strangers. I knew then that Meterman’s message needed to be heard by as many people as possible.”

Donning a caped costume with his signature “M” emblazoned on the front, the diligent Griffin can be seen throughout Los Angeles County, armed with a pocketful of quarters and a singular purpose…to raise awareness of the inconsistencies in parking meter laws while encouraging others to look out for their fellow citizens and enjoy the benefits of a good deed.