Massive parking fines inspired one Australian man to create an iPhone app that lets users warn each other when parking officers are spotted lurking near their cars. Last year alone, he paid thousands of dollars in fines. The final straw came when he was ticketed in his own neighbourhood despite a parking permit that he pays hundreds of dollars for each year. The app lets users "sign in" and report sightings of parking officers with a single push of a button. Cartoon faces wearing a police cap then appear plotted on a map of the area, along with a notice thanking them.

Each year, the city of Santa Monica takes in $13 million from parking violations, and Parker and Harati hope they can turn a large part of that amount into profits. And with cities throughout California operating under similar street sweeping rules as Santa Monica, they see the potential for a big expansion.

Since they began seeking subscribers two months ago the, Ticket Angels have signed up more than 60 clients, mainly in the North of Montana area. They hope to soon cover all of Santa Monica.