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Driven From SF, Annoying App MonkeyParking Is Now Facing Ban In LA

SFist Contributor — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 11:30:00 GMT

Remember MonkeyParking, the jerky parking app that was run out of San Francisco after SF City Attorney Dennis Herrera said that its business was ”wholly premised on illegal transactions.” Well, now they're in trouble in Los Angeles, as LAist's Jean Trinh reports.

Parking already makes us feel like angry Hulk ready to smash something as we waste precious hours of our lives looking for a spot. There are smartphone apps out there that could make this even worse: they allow folks to auction off their public parking spots to the highest bidders (ahem...the ones who can afford it). Thankfully, L.A. is working on banning these type of apps.

The L.A. City Council asked the City Attorney to draft a law that would ban apps like MonkeyParking and Haystack, according to the L.A. Daily News.

"These predatory parking apps allow mobile phone users to squat on public parking spaces and auction them off to the highest bidder," a motion passed by the City Council said. "(It) threatens to further reduce the availability of street parking in many Los Angeles neighborhoods that already suffer from too few parking options."

The people who use the apps auction off the spots as they're leaving and share the earnings they make with the company. For MonkeyParking, on average a parking spot costs about $5 to $7, and the company gets a 20 percent cut out of it. According to KPCC, the company even hires people to drive around looking for empty spots and snagging them for the app.

Other cities like San Francisco and Boston already have similar bans in place. When San Francisco's city attorney Dennis Herrera issued a cease and desist order to Rome-based MonkeyParking in June, the company refused to comply, saying that what they were doing wasn't illegal, but the following month they disabled their app in the Bay Area.

After getting kicked out of San Francisco, MonkeyParking decided to set their sights on Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and L.A. County. However, it looks like they may need to move again as Beverly Hills and Santa Monica have recently issued similar bans.

Read all of SFist's MonkeyParking coverage here

Week Around the -ists

Brock Keeling — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 11:29:30 GMT

Gothamist found that an explosive set off outside the Times Square army recruiting center may be similar to five past bombings in New York City.
Seattlest worried when severed right feet and bottles of rat poison started washing up on local beaches.
Shanghaiist was surprised by Bjork's rooting for Tibetan independence at her concert (see video), and the political fallout has only just begun.
SFist debated the merits of new bronze plaques that will be placed in locations where San Francisco's homeless have died.
DCist was obliged to respond to the worst Washington Post Outlook column ever published, in which conservative writer Charlotte Allen tried to make the case that women are dumb.
LAist found Satan's ice cream truck trolling the streets, and they recorded the music.
Some crafty Torontoist readers didn't like the dearth of ski hills in downtown Toronto, so they just built one of their own on their deck and (of course) recorded a video of them all taking turns on it.
Bostonist knows the city's subway and bus system, the MBTA, has problems. So does this 17-year-old who submitted a report and told the MBTA brass how to fix it.
Phillyist explored the possibility of an Ivy League prostitute, while their commenters debated the most ethical approach to proving or debunking the story.
Londonist spent a little too much time looking at airbrushed operatic private parts, and enjoyed an enlightening comment from someone who was there.

Week Around the -ists

Brock Keeling — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 12:02:05 GMT

A posthumous tribute wall dedicated to singer/songwriter Elliot Smith sat defaced by graffiti for months on end -- LAist said enough, so did the fans and city council.
SFist was surprised to learn that chronic presidential candidate Ralph Nader picked former San Francisco Supervisor Matt Gonzalez as his running mate.
Phillyist explored the possibilities of green cleaning.
In the latest edition of Reel Toronto, a bi-weekly feature looking at films shot in Toronto that attempt to disguise that fact, Torontoist checked out the cinematic masterpiece that is Undercover Brother.
Shanghaiist is amused by this video of a busker playing the flute with his nose!
Bostonist read the rumors that Tom Brady might be Calvin Klein's next panty model, which indicates that he is slowly turning into his supermodel girlfriend, Gisele Bundchen.
Seattlest got excited when former Nirvana drummer and Fighter of Foo Dave Grohl announced his presidential bid.
Gothamist found New Yorkers are proud of their subway system, even if it's got rats in it.
Austinist unveiled their special SXSW coverage minisite, with artist interviews, day party previews, and festival news.

Week Around the -ists

Brock Keeling — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 09:02:49 GMT

Torontoist spent its week uncovering who was behind mysterious ads for a drug called "Obay" that popped up across the country (Scientology? Frank Shepard Fairey?), first tracing them to an advocacy group called Colleges Ontario and then confirming their suspicions a few days later.
Phillyist learned how to put on a puppet show – it's not as easy as you might think!
Shanghaiist discovers that the average starting monthly pay for fresh graduates in China has risen to 1,798 Yuan (or US$251).
SFist welcomed in the year of the rat via San Francisco's annual Chinese New Year Parade.
Bostonist was stunned this week by the news that the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has been cutting bus and train rides from their schedule to save money. Only they neglected to tell passengers about it.
Chicagoist covered last week's Obama and McCain wins.
Gothamist was thrilled to hear that a kitten lost at a subway station was rescued after 25 days underground (a transit worker found her after he started to meow!). Georgia the cat was dehydrated and suffered a fractured leg but is, overall, in good condition.
Much to the surprise of everyone at Londonist, apparently London airports are so amazing, police action was required to remove one man from Gatwick.
LAist asked the question, why does everyone hate hipsters?
Austinist reported live from the Democratic Presidential debate.

Week Around the -Ists

Brock Keeling — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 10:55:01 GMT

Phillyist explored an impending implosion and lived to tell the tale.
Gothamist marveled at the city's new NYC-branded condom campaign - especially the use of a Toronto landmark in the advertising. (Also, fun fact: Gothamist turned five years old yesterday.)
Tired of the worldwide Scientology protests? Torontoist totally isn't: they covered the big downtown protest the day it happened, and followed up with an examination of all of the protests' legality, according to hate crime laws, a few days later.
LAist also got into the fray outside the "Anonymous" Scientology protests, netting a killer photo essay and some on-site video of the vociferous crew in their masks.
And would you look at that: SFist covered last Sunday's thetan hatefest too.
According to Seattlest, area travel author Rick Steves and the Washington state ACLU want to talk to you about legalizing pot.
DCist took a good look at the results of the "Potomac Primary" and put together an interactive map that shows the breakdown of exactly why Washington, D.C. is Obama Country.
Speaking of which, Austinist reported on Mayor Will Wynn (heh) endorsing Barack Obama.
Chicagoist continues to be obsessed with all odd Obama accessories, like these fly one-of-a-kind, hand-painted kicks.
And in non-Obama/Scientology-free news, Bostonist met with one of the wine world's biggest renegades, Gary Vaynerchuk, host of the Wine Library TV podcast.

V for Vendetta

The Writers Strike Is Over!!!!!!

Brock Keeling — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 18:59:31 GMT

Just moments ago, in a letter to its members, the WGA announced that writers have voted by a 92.5% margin to lift the “restraining order” and officially end the strike. The move comes on Day 100 of the labor dispute.

WGA president Patric Verrone is expected to hold a press conference in just a few moments at the WGA Theatre in Beverly Hills, where members voted this afternoon.

Sunday's Scientology Protest

Brock Keeling — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 10:39:34 GMT

And honk they did. Yesterday a worldwide Scientology protest took place by "Anonymous" (AKA Project Chanology, an Internet-based protest against the Church of Scientology), and we caught a few images of the action on our rickety, old cellular communication device. Had we had a better camera, we could've gotten images of the police surrounding the Scientology building entrance; the tour guide telling his gaggle of tourists that John Travolta was, in fact, inside the Montgomery Street building (he was not), and more. Alas.

Anyway, it was a most spirited and youthful protest, one that stuck close to its agenda without branching off into "Free Mumia"-like mini protests. We had a surprising amount of fun watching these kids protest the Church of Scientology.

Check out LAist's, Austinist's, DCist's, and Torontoist's coverage. For more images of San Francisco's protest, follow the jump.

Week Around the -Ists

Brock Keeling — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 11:14:13 GMT

SFist worried over drugstore chain Walgreens celebration of Black History Month.
Gothamist was surprised that apparently New York City is the fourth most miserable city in the country, after Detroit, Stockton, CA, and Flint, MI.
Shanghaiist finds out what the Chinese think of Hilary and Obama.
It was with a healthy amount of schadenfreude that Phillyist reported that former Eagle, and now Cowboy (ew), Terrell Owens owes the Eagles a significant wad of cash.
Torontoist is two weeks into a new feature, Vandalist, that aims to feature the best street art and graffiti from around the city. This week's edition was a beautiful and hopeful play on birds on a wire.
Chicagoist, after seeing a smoking ban go into effect this year, debated the convenience of smoking shelters.
Austinist showed some love for Barack Obama.
Seattlest went back in time to see the future, or something like that.
DCist chatted with songstress Aimee Mann.
Londonist walked around murderer/barber/gourmet Sweeney Todd's Fleet Street.
LAist might see rent control go away in California, and people on both sides of the issue feel passionate about it.
Bostonist celebrated the first anniversary of one of the city's most infamous moments--Aqua Teen Hunger Force Day.

Image credit: Nature abhors a vacuum

Week Around the -Ists

Brock Keeling — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 08:15:48 GMT

Gothamist learned that actor Heath Ledger was found dead in his SoHo apartment, cause of death unknown so far (but apparently the masseuse who found him called Mary-Kate Olsen before 911).
Bostonist considered sending a link about the Super Bowl, but damn! The New Kids are reuniting!
Although Sylvester Stallone is a native of New York City, his Rocky character lets many Philadelphians consider him a native son – so Phillyist just had to attend a preview screening of .
Shanghaiist swoons over Shanghai's coolest tattoo artist.
LAist has a dirty little secret and it comes in the form of an addictive sour frozen yogurt chain -- Pinkberry.
Torontoist discovered a pro-life billboard downtown that begs its watchers to think of the children('s toys).
SFist found itself green with envy over the advent of the automatic weed machine.
Houstonist brought it after witnessing Taucha Hogue make it to the championship round for College Cheerleader of the Year.
DCist saw a "snotty-nosed little brat" get read to filth by a school administrator's wife over a snow day, or lack thereof.
Londonist received a Bloggie nomination for Best European Weblog.
Seattlest threw down the gauntlet after calling Denver "overrated" when compared to their own mountain ranges.
Austinist took a ride with Clean Air Limo, Austin's first green private car service.

Rambo

Week Around the -Ists

Brock Keeling — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 11:01:33 GMT

Gothamist went to the scene of the Trump Soho construction collapse, which left one construction worker dead and others injured (an indirect culprit - Manhattan's hot real estate market, causing rushed construction jobs).
Shanghaiist is confused by media reports as to whether Playboy will be available in China during the year of the Olympics.
LAist got fugged in an interview with the Go Fug Yourself girls.
Torontoist set hearts aflutter by featuring some fake information flyers being distributed around their transit system by street artist extraordinaire, Posterchild.
SFist uncovered even more of SOMA district's recurring neo-Naziesque graffiti.
Phillyist visited scantily-clad women giving out Tofurkey in honor of Philadelphia's favorite founding father.
Londonist witnessed Amnesty International bringing Guantanamo Bay to the American embassy to raise the profile of the continuing campaign to close the detention center.
Seattlest reviewed J.J. Abrams' new camcorder monster movie.
DCist was relieved to hear that Stephen Colbert's portrait is finally hanging up in the National Portrait Gallery.
Austin was in shock after hearing about an Arlington stepfather who sodomized his stepson who sodomized his daughter.
Chicagoist healthily reported on week three of the smoking ban.
Houstonist saw a recent Rice University scientific creation, touted as "the darkest substance known to man."

Week Around the -Ists

Brock Keeling — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 10:04:32 GMT

Londonist pondered who might be the next sponsors of the London Eye and whether or not readers would be willing to donate £1,000 each for a Londonist Eye.
Shanghaiist was shocked to find a cameltoe in the city's only English-language paper.
Gothamist believed that a writer who wanted pre-gentrified gritty New York and ended up getting beaten up during a mugging learned his lesson.
DCist followed Mayor Adrian Fenty and the D.C. Council to New Hampshire, where they helped introduce a bill that would signal that state's support of voting rights for the District.
Torontoist learned a brand new threat this week, thanks to a police officer who pulled over a driver in the city's entertainment district and told him––actually––"I'll break your fucking ponytail." Oh, and then they tased him.
SFist witnessed (and predicted) San Clemente's Greg Long winning this year's Mavericks Surf Contest.
LAist reported on everything you wanted to know about this year's most anticipated movie, Cloverfield, as told by director Matt Reeves.
Bostonist watched as Bronson Arroyo, formerly of the Red Sox and now of the Cleveland Indians, pleaded to return to Boston--in song.
Chicagoist saw lightning strike twice.
Austinist rapped about Texas rap.
Houstinist interviews Big Daddy’s Ass Burn Hot Sauce founder Trevi Biles.
Phillyist supports an end of the city's "quack-tacular" duck tours.
Seattlest discussed this year's presidential election with some top-notch political writers.

Day Around the Bay

Brock Keeling — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 18:12:23 GMT

Wee: Yellow Cab slip 'n' slide. [WhatImSeeing]
The Glas Kat returns this week! (Death Guild fans of ~~Walnut Creek~~ the Bay Area, rejoice!) [Eater]
Kill 'em with kindness. [BeyondChron]
Novelists are smarter than you. [SFGate]
One Ecker's early reveal care of the storm. [Curbed]
Desktop of the now. So do it. Now. [Nature abhors a vacuum]
An estimated 50 gallons of oil spills into San Francisco Bay after today's crane pratfall. [Examiner]
14,000 PG&E slaves are still powerless. [SFGate]
Taser/MP3 player combo. [LAist]

Image credit goes to Plug 1 at WhatImSeeing

Week Around the -Ists

Brock Keeling — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 11:09:59 GMT

LAist listed a top ten list of sorts: things they hope not to see in Los Angeles in 2008. (one example, pictured above).
Shanghaiist was surprised to learn that "godless," "atheist," and "commie" China is soon going to be the world's largest supplier of Bibles!
Torontoist picked some of their favorite photos of 2007.
Londonist was relieved to hear the fire at the Royal Marsden hospital didn't harm any of the patients even though it was a pretty big blaze.
Phillyist resolves to be better in 2008.
Gothamist marveled at a lawsuit from a nightclub patron who was beaten up by bouncers over a questionable bill.
Bostonist has a word of advice for all ballplayers--look up the name of the drink in Urban Dictionary before you endorse it, OK? Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis has signed up to market an energy drink entitled the "SlumpBuster."
Austinist has your SXSW 2008 news and rumor updates.
Chicagoist breathed easier after smoking was banned from any and all indoor spaces in 2008.
SFist witnessed a mighty storm - well, mighty for Californians, that is - blow through the Bay Area.
Seattlest saw controversy about Starbuck's new Skinny Latte grow even wider.
Houstonist chats with a College Cheerleader of the Year candidate.
DCist reads about Ruben Castaneda, a crack addict and Post Metro correspondent.

Photo Credit: Malingering

Week Around the -Ists

Brock Keeling — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 09:25:19 GMT

SFist saw Christmas Day turn tragic after a Siberian tiger escaped from her pen at the San Francisco Zoo, killing a visitor and mauling two others.
Phillyist counted down the top ten items on Philadelphia's New Year's wish list.
Gothamist looked at the wooden bikes being offered for NYC's first bike share program on Governors Island.
LAist received a Christmas present in the form of a drunk Santa Claus in a g-string.
Bostonist launched Veggieist, a brand-new weekly column that is already whetting the appetites of vegans.
Torontoist is ending the year by naming its heroes and villains of 2007––the people, places, and things that they've either fallen head over heels in love with or developed uncontrollable rage towards over the past twelve months.
Shanghaiist saw their city turn into a Christmas wonderland.
Chicagoist will never tire of watching a local news anchor's hilarious reaction to a car crashing into the studio. No one was hurt, so it's OK to laugh.
Austinist interviewed the intimidating but always brilliant Joe Rogan, chatting about News Radio, Fear Factor, Dane Cook, and more.
Seattlest mourned the loss of iconic jazz pianist Oscar Peterson.
Londonist cheered after hearing news that London, it seems, is the capital of the world. (Sorry, NYC.)
Houstonist tells an interesting tale about Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher getting trapped in the powder room at a Houston Hotel.

Image credit: Flickr user Steve Rhodes.

Week Around the -Ists

Brock Keeling — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 09:22:31 GMT

A sad week for LAist as they lose their trusted and amazing editor Tony Pierce to the LA Times, but what a blast his last week was. He shared his 25 Favorite CDs of 2007 and wrote a great review of just a good movie, No Country For Old Men. At UCLA, thousands of students celebrated the end of their quarter by running around campus in their undies (lots of photos in a two-part photo essay, one, two). That wasn't the only photo essay either: Joss Whedon/Mutant Enemy friends and Star Trek actors all joined in at the Writers Strike and KROQ's Almost Acoustic Christmas brought two nights of amazing bands that included Avenged Sevenfold, Linkin Park (Part I), Modest Mouse, Muse, Spoon and The Killers (Part II). Not only is L.A. a great music town, it has just been named the best city for bookish types. For those who are looking for something a little more active, American Gladiators are back (yes!) and if that's not enough, how about a Christmas gift of action and adventure?

Phillyist is counting down to 2008 (and really enjoying it - yes, in that way!), leaving them exhausted, disoriented, and irritable.