Caine O'RearRichmond.comWednesday, December 14, 2005Until this week, Richmond motorists who had more than three unpaid parking tickets would have their cars towed. But now, thanks to a new parking enforcement program adopted by the City of Richmond, their cars won't be towed - they'll just have an electronic boot attached to their wheel.
The program, which will be in full effect starting in January, is being tested this week by the City's parking enforcement patrol. In addition to the boot, the parking patrol will now be electronically scanning license plates to identify motorists who have been delinquent on paying their fines, making Richmond the only city in the country to adopt both the scanning and boot technology.
The program was proposed by Mayor L. Douglas Wilder earlier this year and approved by City Council in late November. Wilder said the boot program would be less time-consuming than towing, and would speed up the City's collection of fines.
The new program should benefit motorists, too, according to Britt C. Drewes, public information manager for the City's Department of Public Works. "Before, you'd walk up and have that panicked feeling, wondering where your car is," she said.
Now motorists can get back in their cars much sooner. To remove the flourescent yellow boot, which is attached to one of the passenger-side wheels (a notice is taped to the window, in case the boot isn't seen), motorists must call an 866 number to get the code to unlock the boot. Once they have paid their fines by credit card, they are issued the code which they must enter on the boot's key paid to disable the boot.
The boot then must be returned to Lanier Parking Service on 1923 E. Franklin St.
If the motorists don't have a credit card, then they must come down to City Hall - by another means of transportation - and pay the fines with a check or money order.
In the past, if motorists had outstanding fines, they would be issued a letter by the City requesting that the fines be paid at City Hall.
"We had outstanding tickets that weren't being paid," said Drewes. "This [the new program] allows us to take it to the next level with enforcement."
Currently, the City estimates that $800,000 needs to be collected in unpaid parking fines, Drewes said. During the past fiscal year, the City issued $3.3 million worth of parking citations.
The City has 18 parking enforcement officers now operating on scooter, or by van. With the new program, the parking enforcement officers will now be working with the Richmond Police Department, as the police must put the boot on themselves.
The City of Richmond urges those with unpaid tickets to pay their fines promptly at the East District Initiative (701 N. 25th St.), the Southside Community Service Center (4100 Hull St.), online at www.RichmondGov.com or in person or by mail at City Hall (900 E. Broad St., room 102).
The parking violations department at City Hall said the "word has gotten out" about the new program and that more people have come in the last few weeks to pay outstanding fees.
Praises and Potholes
AAA Mid-Atlantic announces best and worst transportation moves of the year in Virginia.
(1/5/06)
News
Getting the Boot
This week, the City of Richmond is testing out its new parking enforcement program, which involves using an electronic boot.
(12/14/05)
Funeral Mash
Grave Digger and all the big trucks are coming out to play at the Coliseum this weekend. We spoke to monster truck pilot Randy Brown on the eve of Monster Jams.
(11/4/05)
Last American Heroes
Arena Racing USA, a Richmond-based company, is the only indoor stock car racing series in the country.
(11/3/05)
Opinion
The Soap Box
AAA Mid-Atlantic takes big oil companies to task for record profits in the wake of hurricanes and motorists' misery at the pumps.
(11/2/05)
20 Questions
Ted Linhart
President and owner of Dominion Auto Group. What he loves, how he plays, who he is. An inside look into one of our favorite Richmonders.
(10/31/05)
Automotive
Not Your Daddy's Pontiac
The Solstice roadster marks a departure of form for Pontiac, a company not usually associated with "cool" cars.
(10/28/05)
Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup: Martinsville
A look at the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Top 10 during the Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup: Stewart and Biffle tied at the top.
(10/20/05)
Automotive
Smart Shopping
Used car buyers should know signs of flood damaged vehicles.
(10/17/05)
Quality Time
Amidst all the race revelry, families find time to bond at RIR.
(9/13/05)
Sports
Sights from "The Action Track"
Couldn't make it out to RIR for Saturday night's Rock & Roll 400? Check out Richmond.com's photo gallery of the race.
(9/12/05)
