Ethically, it seems as though the punishment is well out of proportion for the transgression. However, it seems as though it is worth the harm done to a few rule-breakers if the punishment prevents others from parking there. In other words, the "good" to the general community outweighs the harm of the severe individual penalty. The philosophy that supports this is:

a. utilitarianism.
b. ethics of care.
c. deontological ethics.
d. ethical formalism.