Stop Sign of a Different Kind

Question from New York (Long Island).

My parents live in a "gated" community with a Home Owner's Association. The board recently decided start issuing traffic fines for those who violate any of the numerous stop signs in the community. (They are everywhere!)

When you enter at the security "checkpoint" they record your license number along with whomever you are there to visit.

My parents just received a bill for $50, claiming that my car "didn't come to a complete stop" at one of the signs last week. I routinely stop at the signs in the community, but that point really doesn't seem to matter.

Is this legal? The bill only has a date. No time, no indication of which stop sign. There is no indication of who reported this - apparently anyone in the community can report anyone else at any time.

Is there any recourse? My parents seem resigned to paying the bill, since if they do not, the HOA will put a lien on their property.

With all the politics and arguments in the community, this seems like a recipe for disaster. There have been many problems with the HOA management, and my parents have been outspoken against the current board at meetings. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that this "ticket" was reported while I was parked in front of their house, simply as "payback" for some imagined insult.

How can this be challenged?

Check the bylaws for how they would protest this to the HOA.

Apparently, there is a grievance committee and they are going to protest the fine (which I didn't think they would do - their initial reaction was to just pay it and not make any waves.)

Turns out the roads are "private," so they get to make whatever rules they want.

Very frustrating situation. I have no problem with wanting people to drive slow and come to a complete stop at a sign. But these folks have put in stop signs every 30-50 feet (whether or not there is an intersection). They were originally designed as a speed control measure and are now being looked at as an income generating tool. In all probablility, the grievance committee will be people sympathetic to "we need money" cause and just uphold the fine.

Some of these HOAs have gone nuts with rules and enforcement. Now if I could only levy fines and fees (with the power of a property lien behind it!) for anyone that crosses my property, maybe it wouldn't bother me so much. :)