About the Department

The Department of Public Courtesy was established in response to a situation that had gotten out of hand. It has no budget, no building, no authority, and no plans to acquire any. It issues citations because somebody has to.

The Department does not collect fines, maintain records, or share information with anyone, because the Department is a joke — a serious one, but a joke. What it does have is a code, a seal, and a very particular tone.

The Department's position on enforcement. You are not a cop, and neither are we. The cards are funnier than an argument and considerably safer. Leave one where the offense happened, put one on a windshield, cite the behavior, and keep walking. If a card is going to start something, don't hand it over — that is the entire training.

On repeals. The Department has repealed three sections it got wrong. It will repeal more. A code that never changes its mind isn't a code, it's a grudge.

On the seal. Non potes ibi parcare. It is not good Latin. It means "you can't park there."