EXCLUSIVE Report From The Expired Meter
Scofflaws, hide your cars.
Because the City of Chicago, without any advance public warning, is literally, clamping down on motorists once again.
In an effort to catch more cars eligible for the dreaded Denver boot, and convince their owners to cough up the dough to pay off their unpaid parking tickets, a revenue starved City of Chicago has just begun 24 hour a day vehicle immobilization, six days a week.
Very quietly last Monday night, while most Chicagoans were asleep in bed, a fleet of 10 booting vans departed their parking lot staging areas located at 2735 N. Ashland Ave. for the very first sortie of overnight booting.
The first boot van pulled out a several minutes after 10 PM and began slowly prowling northbound on Ashland Ave., hunting scofflaw vehicles for just over a mile before catching it’s first prey of the night at 10:30 PM.
On Ashland Ave., just past Irving Park Rd. and directly in front of Lakeview High School, the very first victim of this new overnight initiative, felt the tight grip of cold yellow painted metal on its’ front driver’s side wheel.
13 minutes and another mile and a quarter later down Ashland, the same booter hit pay dirt again catching another scofflaw just south of Foster Ave.
The first night of overnight booting looked to be a very productive one.
With a black hole of a city budget deficit looming for 2010 and for as far as the eye can see, the Daley Administration, desperate to find revenue quickly, seems to be pulling out all the stops to bring in as much of the over half billion dollars in outstanding parking ticket and red light ticket fines owed the city.
The Department of Revenue hired and began training 12 new booters in September to beef up their ranks and prepare for the new around the clock vehicle immobilization strategy.
Up until recently, booting crews in Chicago started at 6 AM and continued into the early afternoon, ending around 2:30 PM. Additional shifts began in the early afternoon, with booting still continuing, but with a mild emphasis on releasing booted vehicles after owners paid the city what they owed for parking and red light camera tickets. In general, the bulk of boots applied during a day came during the morning and early afternoon.
Many Chicago drivers who utilize city streets to park their vehicles, understood this ebb and flow to booting. Boot eligible drivers who left for work early and then got home in the evening for dinner, had very little chance their car ever being caught in the jaws of a bright yellow boot. Because their cars were almost never parked when boot vans were prowling the streets of Chicago, they could go to sleep every night without fear. But that sense of security is now gone, with Sunday the sole day of the week without boot vans on the street.
“Now that’s messed up,” said a recently booted west side resident Greg Smith when asked about his thoughts on this change in enforcement policy. “Yes, I felt safe at night before. I was just shocked (when he was booted a few weeks ago), but I knew it was coming but didn’t know when.”
This new third shift, solely devoted to booting from 9:30 PM to 6 AM five days a week, will amount to an over 50% increase in the total hours of booting enforcement.
BOOTING BY THE NUMBERS
Year Boots % Increase
2005 48,365 7.1%
2006 55,641 15%
2007 58,898 5.8%
2008 63,515 7.8%
2009 65,420* 3%*
*Estimated
SOURCE: Chicago Dept. of Revenue
Over the past several years, the Department of Revenue has gradually improved the speed and efficiency of the booting process which has resulted in impressive increases in vehicle immobilization since 2004.
24 hours a day, seven days a week booting was introduced at city owned parking lots located at both O’Hare Airport in 2002 and Midway Airport in 2005.
2007 saw the DOR invest $1.5 million to outfit 26 boot vans with license plate recognition units that allow each boot van to scan several thousand license plates per shift, instead of having to manually enter license plates into a database. The resulting increase in booting productivity was immediate.
Then in July 2008, a Saturday shift was added to further expand booting hours.
Additionally, changes in booting eligibility has increased the number of target vehicles for boot crews. Last fall, Mayor Daley and the City Council passed an ordinance that lowered the booting threshold to two unpaid tickets more than one year old. Of course, three unpaid tickets in final determination will get you on the seizure list immediately.
However, this seemingly mild change in boot eligibility has increased the number of boot eligible plates by 39% or 191, 655 additional vehiles in seizure status as of August 2009.
It stands to reason that because the estimates for 2009 do not reflect booting numbers for November and December with the new overnight shift, total boots applied will be substantially higher when final numbers are tallied for the year.
In addition, while official DOR budget estimates for total boots applied in 2010 is a paltry 66,000, based on the city’s aggressive new round the clock booting initiative, this massive increase in booting hours should translate into a number closer to 100,000 immobilized vehicles next year.
Financially, this additional enforcement should help reduce the budget deficit by a couple of million bucks just in booting fees and perhaps rake in tens of millions of dollars in unpaid tickets next year when booted drivers pay to get their vehicles released.
Unfortunately, if you are booted overnight, the very earliest your vehicle can be released, even if you pay immediately, is 6 AM. Late night/early morning payments are accepted at both Midway and O’Hare DOR facilities 24 hours a day.
Department of Revenue payment facilities open at 8 AM Monday through Friday, with the Addison St. location offering the latest hours until 6:30 PM. On Saturdays, only the Central Hearing Facility is open from 8 AM to 3:30 PM.
In the meantime, scofflaw motorists are either going to have to pay up or find a way to stay out of sight from the now omnipresent boot van.
“Now you’re going to have people looking out their windows all hours, hiding their cars or sleeping in their cars,” exclaimed Smith. “Swear to God!”
Department of Revenue spokespeople declined a request for comment.
Posted in 
It was only a matter of time.
I’m curious about this license plate “reader” that they use – anyone know exactly how this works?
How does it differentiate between Il plates and out of town plates? Or temp plates for that matter?
Or do the boot vans just not bother with with those plates, since the chances of someone with a temp plate or an out of town plate being on a boot list is small?
I have zero sympathy. Challenge your tickets, yes, but if you lose, pay up. Don’t whine because you didn’t pay your tickets.
Greg… The bigger question is how well does it recognize different IL plate types with the same number? Same number, how’s that possible? Well, it’s true… In IL, different plate types could have the same “number”–what most people would assume to be the letters and numbers in the center of the plate…
Let’s use an example… How many different IL plates could have “MY CAR” as the “plate number”? The answer is 5!!! You could have a passenger car plate, a B-Truck plate, a motorcycle plate, a handicapped plate, and/or a “America Remembers” plate (with “MY C” imprinted and “AR” in vertical letters). This state is really f’d up in its plate types…
I was doing some research for one of my Masters classes..and discovered something interesting..
The Majority of Municipalities around the country issue Bench Warrants to people that fail to pay ANY Type of Violation Notice……Parking Ticket/Speeding TIcket/Administrative Notice of Violation.
Why doesn’t Chicago?
And 1PBFoot……actually there are more than 5.
Organ Donor (ORG plate)
Police Memorial (PML plate
Fire Fighter Memorial (FFM plate)
Eagle Scout (EG plate)
Tinted Window (TW plates)
College Plates (Northwestern, Depaul, Notre Dame, etc..)
Domestic Violence (PV plates)
Veteran Plates (UMC/USN/USA/USAF) (DD plate)
Armed Forces Reserves Plates (RF)
Purple Heart plates (PR Plates)
Bronze Star (BZ plate)
Purple Heart
RV plates
Antique Vehicle
Congressional Medal of Honor plates
National Guard
Silver Star
POW/MIA
Pearl Harbor
West Point BiCentennial
Universal Vet Plates(US)
Gold Star (GS)
I think thats a good start.
Dor -
So that still raises the question – how does the palte reader differentiate between the different plates, and out of town plates as well?
Also, this raises a question that I have asked before and Geek gave the answer, but it would be helpful to get this confirmed, for…uh…my own reasons.
My current plates are ticket free – but a car I have not had for 10 years – and plates I have not had for 10 years – is on the boot list. In fact, I had another plate in between that plate and my current plate.
I know you can legally be booted on any car you own for past notices, but do these plate readers actually process this into past plate numbers?
Geek said a few months back that as long as I keep my current plates clean I should be fine. Can anyone in the know confirm this for my peace of mind?
In the recent case of Choose Life Illinois v. the State of Illinois, U.S. District Judge David Coar recognized that Illinois has nearly 60 specialty license plates. Each has it’s own designation, according to court records, in the Secretary of State’s database.
Every specialty I’ve seen has letters on it specifying what plate it is. eg, my friend that has northwestern places, there’s 2 letters (vertically) on the left NU, with the numbers. Same with every other one I’ve seen, so it’s not like the reader has to read the background of the plate, just the raised letters/numbers.
Greg,
If you owe the tickets, why not pay up? It’s not fair to everyone else who does.
60 specialty plates? The state has way to many. Considering what they charge for these plates, the state can still claim that it’s broke. What’s wrong with this picture?
Ticketmaster -
I have had to take time to go for a hearing on so many tickets that were wrongly written – and I don’t mean some minor reason. I’m talking about a parking ticket at 6:30 pm in a zone with no parking till 5:00 pm. I’m talking about a ticket under a viaduct at 10:00 pm with a sign posted as no parking till 6:00. I’m talking about a ticket at a meter clearly flashing “fail.” I’m talking about a ticket for no alley parking next to a delivery door with my trunk open and flashers going as I was unloading. I’m talking about a ticket for street cleaning on a day when all the east west streets had “Street cleaning” signs posted and the east west streets didn’t – and I was parked on an east west street. And on and on.
In fact, one of the ones I owe for I was found liable for, even though I had clear evidence that the ticket was wrongly written.
My feeling is – right or wrong – I have had to give up so much time for tickets wrongly written that the few I owe for barely begin to make up for that.
Correction to the above -
All the NORTH SOUTH streets had the “Street Cleaning” signs posted and I was on an east west street.
Oh, and the ticket I got at Midway for stopping long enough to open my trunk and put a suitcase in, pick up my sister in law, and drive away. In fact, I didn’t even know I got the ticket till I got the notice in the mail. I wasn’t even there long enough for the ticket to be written while I was there.
Hey, lay off my veteran plates and all other military plates. I did pay an extra $30 to get my veteran plates issued and that more than covers the cost of making them. After all they are made by cheap prison labor. Second, these plates allow veterans to get some much needed recognition. So no whining about military plates, please.
Ticketmaster wrote:
“Greg,
If you owe the tickets, why not pay up? It’s not fair to everyone else who does.”
Because ticket writing is not about justice. It is not about safety. It is not about the public good. It is not about improvements to roadways.
Ticket writing is about revenue. Pure and simple. It is a tax, and a heavy heavy tax at that.
The same way that City Stickers are taxes. (Does anyone know, is there any other city that requires City Stickers for vehicles?)
The same way that Red Light Cameras are taxes.
These taxes are a heavy burden to citizens of this city. These taxes pose as Laws and Regulations for the good and safety of the general public. And many people fall for the lie.
But these taxes are not about the good of the citizens. They are about revenue.
And I don’t think anyone should pay these taxes.
Ever.
And then, when the City sees that Parking Tickets are a fruitless effort to raise revenue, the laws can then be easily changed to favor taxpayers like you and me.
Street Cleaning signs can be removed, because we know that Street Cleaning is also about revenue. (Street Cleaning on HALF the streets on the last Tuesday and Wednesday of the month? Are you kidding me? WHERE ARE WE SUPPOSED TO PARK? AND WHY IS IT THAT SOMETIMES THE STEET CLEANER DOESN’T EVEN BOTHER TO CLEAN THOSE STREETS?)
So called “Loading Zones” (another was just put up in my neighborhood that took yet another 2 parking spots away) could be layed out into something resembling some kind of order and sense, and maybe even for some kind of actual loading.
So called “Snow Routes” which seem to serve very little purpose other than to be one more sticky, tricky place to park in the winter, if it snows more than 2 inches, and sometimes even if it doesn’t!
Meters and payboxes can become a thing of the past, though a very dark spot on our City’s (and Nation’s) history.
Meter readers can get jobs doing something else. That will save the city some money.
Traffic court judges will have more time for viable court issues, instead of these circus issues like parking tickets.
Police will be able to focus on fighting crime, instead of fighting parking.
The Meters, Denver Boots, and all the illegitimate “No Parking Signs” can be taken to the scrapyard, providing additional revenue for the city.
The Absence of Parking Tickets will save countless trees from destruction, and keep our city cleaner by reducing litter from tickets blown off the windshields. The money saved by not having these printed up can go to fill the revenue gap.
Paper work will be reduced, saving more trees, more time, more money.
It will save gas, as people won’t drive around for hours looking for parking, because bogus loading zones will be reduced, bogus handicapped zones will be reduced, bogus “No Parking from here to curb” will be reduced, and the fear of parking on a snow route in the winter when there is a 10% chance of snow will be reduced.
The Pay Boxes can be turned into lemonade machines in the summer, and hot chocolate machines in the winter, powered by that nifty little solar panel on top.
Do I need to go on?
I’m fed up.
OIFVet wrote:
“Hey, lay off my veteran plates and all other military plates. I did pay an extra $30 to get my veteran plates issued and that more than covers the cost of making them. After all they are made by cheap prison labor. Second, these plates allow veterans to get some much needed recognition. So no whining about military plates, please.”
No one was complaining about military or any other plate. It was merely pointed out by Ticketmaster that there are 60 specialty plates in this state, which is A LOT!
And BTW, Thank You for serving in our military. I appreciate it very much. After 9/11 I actually considered joining up, though I’m married with 2 kids, and was 33 at the time.
So thank you for your service.
DoR employee…
I understand what you mean, but all of the examples you cite contain “extra letters” on the plate itself, which may even be raised/stamped (i.e. RV, RT plates). However, an Environmental plate would look like “(small)E MY CAR”, a Prevent Violence Plate would look like “MY CAR (vertical)PV”, a Fire Fighter plate would look like “MY CAR (vertical)FF”, etc. The state wouldn’t prevent me from getting a passenger plate that says “MY CAR FF” while someone else has the Fire Fighter plate that says “MY CAR (vertical)FF”…
The problem that I have is that between passenger, B-Truck, handicapped, and motorcycle plate types, the state relies on colors, plate sizes, itty-bitty text on the side, etc. to differentiate plates with the same “number”. So if you get hit-and-run by an SUV and tell them it was plate “ABC”, you also better know whether it was a passenger, B-Truck, handicapped (well, not motorcycle) plate with that number–or else the wrong guy could go to jail and a whole bunch of people get sued. That also translates into parking tickets–if the ticket is written incorrectly, which is VERY easy to do (I know, I have a specialty plate that you guys often screw up–automatic defense!), the guy who has the same passenger plate # is screwed.
LEADS makes things even more interesting, but I digress…
This has already caused problems on EZ-Pass toll roads. One guy had to get the Trib Problem Solver involved because someone with a heavy truck plate had the same “number” as this person’s B-Truck plate–another source of duplicated plate numbers. The New York Thruway kept sending this person violations in the mail and kept ignoring the fact that two trucks had the same “plate number”. The SoS office said for the article that if the last letter is “smaller”, then it’s a different plate type. Seriously, what authorities in another state would know that stupid little fact–or care to ensure they have the right person, as long as they get paid???
One other question… Since both B-Trucks and heavy (D and higher) trucks have the same plate code of “TRK”, how do you write a ticket to distinguish the B-Truck “12 345 D” vs. D-Truck “12 345 (small)D”?
Gret,
I hear ya! I have a couple of tickets myself that I will not pay on principle. One I fought and lost, while several others for the same alleged violation were won. Where’s the justice in that? And a red light I would have paid if I had received notice prior to receiving notice with a late fine tacked on.
Like you I have paid numerous tickets over the years when/where I was not in violation, not to mention my time to contest tickets over the years. The city owes me, not the other way around.
I also refuse to get a residential permit until such time as the tickets I paid for parking on my street with a car with temp plates that the city refused to give me a RPP for are made up for. That has already taken years (2.4 years x $25 permit fee for each ticket).
All this debate is very good, but it still doesn’t answer my original question:
How do the plate readers work?
How does it differentiate between the same numbers on different IL plates, temp plates, and out of town plates?
And do the boot vans just not bother with with some plates, since the chances of someone with a temp plate or an out of town plate being on a boot list is small?
Anyone know?
Greg…….I can’t answer how the software recognition and camera work in concert.
Having never been a booter, and not willing to do that job anyhow…I have no experience with the contraption.
I will make this comment again….Georgia and Michigan and several other states issue Bench Warrants for Failure to pay Municipal Violations….why doesn’t Chicago?
And John Adams….”Ticket Writing is about Revenue?”
Some of the violations the City has, I agree completely. Like 12 or more from the Curb, Park/Stand on Parkway, Stop Sign/Stop Signal (30 foot clearance required), 20 feet from Crosswalk (with posted signs).
Others……horse shit.
15′ from Fire Hydrant (should be 10′ to be honest)
Double Parking
Park/Stand Crosswalk
Park/Stand Sidewalk
Block Access Fire Lane/Alley/Driveway
Park/Stand under Fire Escape
Obstructing the Roadway
Park/Stand Intersection
Park/Stand Bike Lane
Street Cleaning (Even with Perm Signs…..morons still don’t move.)
“15′ from Fire Hydrant (should be 10′ to be honest)”
That distance is based upon the bend radius of a semi-ridged suction hose hooked to the hydrant and running back to a fire truck. These are non-collapsible large diameter black rubber hoses that flex about as much as short shanks does when he’s seeing cash in his pockets.
See http://www.gpmg.co.uk/FireDiary/DFS2/2Fire%20Hard%20Suction.jpg
And http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__-pMfc8Cl9U/SM0DVd_GobI/AAAAAAAABI4/yDv_dNegFxo/s400/No+Parking+In+Front+Of+Fire+Hydrant.jpg
I wrote in once before to this blog and expressed my deep gratitude for what you, the Parking Ticket Geek, provide on this blog. But now, I’m writing in to express some angst. I also have zero sympathy for those who don’t pay their parking tickets. I will never understand why “good” citizens who pay up right away decide to always go to bat for the deadbeats of the world and do it as though they’re fighting for somebody’s “rights”. When I first moved to Chicago 19 years ago, I was told by folks who’d lived here their whole lives to not pay my tickets because the city would never come after me. I knew someone who owed on literally a dozen parking tickets. Nevertheless, I always paid and only objected when I felt I had been wronged (and I usually won). I appreciate the way you look out for Chicagoans when the city seems to be doing something unethical or unfair to the consumer. But I’m finding your neverending mantra against what the city is doing to be getting old. It seems that no matter what the city does in this area, they’re wrong as far as you’re concerned.
John Adams, thank you. 60 plates is a lot indeed, but as long as the state breaks even on them I don’t mind.
The Educated Fool: could be that as long as Daley and the Daley machine are running the place there will be an authomatic and well earned distrust of their motives. I know I don’t trust them one bit, even though I think Daley has done some really good things for the city… at about 50-75% cost overruns. So then The Mare thinks of new ways to get into our collective pocketbook. I for one am fed up with that never ending cycle. I almost never get tickets, and when I do most of them get dismissed. On the rare occasion they don’t I pay up. I’m with you on that. But again, as lpng as the city is run by the Mare I won’t be grsanting them my trust.
WOW everyone!
GREAT discussions here. I LOVE it. Thank you all.
Here’s some thoughts.
Educated Fool, etal.
I respect what you are saying, but it’s not a black and white issue.
First, and foremost, this story is a news story. I tried to present the facts. I don’t believe there is an overt point of view within the piece.
If there is one, I think it may be an issue with the city not publicly announcing their intentions to do this. I know the DOR feels there are safety issues related to overnight booting, but you’re when you’re driving big white vans with “Dept. of Revenue” emblazoned all over it and with flashing yellow lights on top–you’re kinda hard to miss. Plus the word would have gotten out sooner than later.
It’s the covert nature of it that I don’t like.
As far as unpaid tickets, part of me agrees wholeheartedly with you. The other side is resistant for many of the same reasons others have listed above. I’ve received bad tickets, ones I could have beaten EASILY. But between, family, work, etc., I never got the chance. And it doubled and whatever. I eventually did pay it, but it was still a screw job.
In general I’m more for paying than running away from one’s financial obligations–even if it was a screw job.
Thank you for the input.
John Adams-
May I use your one long comment as a Guest Commentary for this Sunday. I’m not sure I agree with everything, but it’s eloquent and well written.
OIF Vet-
Ditto what John Adams says. Thank God for Veterans. God bless them all. I’m free because you had the balls to defend my freedom. Thank you.
Hey Facts!
Are you an attorney?
Again, thanks to ALL for the great comments.
The Boot Vans are not exactly Covert.
Big White Van….Yellow Bar lights on the top.
The majority of the scofflaws do not deserve to drive their car…..whether it is a Civic or a Bentley.
I feel that there should be more of a way to appeal violations with obvious errors or outright mistakes.
As was stated in a different thread, there is almost a months worth of time to contest any violation.
Boots hit vehicles that have more than 2 tickets over 1 year old OR more than 3-4 tickets in Final Determination.
If someone is in a situation that they are unable to pay off 2 tickets in a years time….or have more than 4 in less than 30 days (non-contested or no payment plan), then they have issues.
DoR-
“The Boot Vans are not exactly Covert.
Big White Van….Yellow Bar lights on the top.”
I totally agree. That’s my point. Why was DOR management trying to keep this initiative secret when a big white van is like billboard for the DOR? My guess is the boot vans on this overnight shift initially will clean up because no one knows about it.
Geek -
Exactly.
They may be noticable – but they are much less noticable when people are in their homes asleep.
Warning people this is about to happen means less revenue.
Luckily you and the media got this out in the public eye quickly.
I think the folks at revenue may have a hit out for you soon…
Hey Geek,
Feel free to use whatever I ever send in. It may take away some credibility from your article, but hey, whatever!
-John Adams
Greg-
Thanks for the kind words.
I will try to find time to look into LPR and see how it works.
As far as differentiating between plates, here is how I believe it works. Let’s call it intelligent (or in my case semi-intelligent) speculation.
I think when the LPR on the boot van gets a hit on the database, the booter manually does some sort of a double-check. They should be able to cross check make/model/color, maybe even VIN#.
If there’s confusion, I’m sure they can radio a manager to check something as well.
I think they need to be very careful and not boot someone they shouldn’t. Think of the hell that would be raised if someone or multiple someones were booted improperly?
I’ve only heard from one person who had claimed to be booted improperly. But they never responded to my followup questions.
So, that makes me think the boot crews work very hard to be as accurate as possible.
It’s very interesting technology.
Mr. Adams-
Thanks. I should have it up Sunday. If you feel any need to add to it, please e-mail me.
Good stuff though.
When I rode with the boot teams (oh do I miss those days), we had many safe guards put into place, so that we wouldn’t accidently boot the wrong vehicle. The LPR’s are extremely efficiant, and accurate.
Ticketmaster -
Then you may know the answer to my earlier question -
Does the LPR only check the current plate, or is there actually some cross referencing data that will link a current plate to long gone plates?
My only thought is that usually the city give amnesty for past tickets owed at the end of the year. We were hoping to pay some of the past due ones at this time as funds are now available.
So by not warning and also getting as many as they are able to “Boot” before the end of the year they are making more in the long run……would that be about right???
Ex-Marine
I am sorry Greg. I will not answer that question.
Ticketmaster -
Such a covert answer.
I am guessing that if there actually was a cross data base, you would have said yes to encourage people that the odds were greater to get booted.
The fact that you won’t answer leads me to believe that the data is not cross referenced, and you don’t want anyone in this situation to feel safe from booting.
That’s what I am trying to find out as I have a different car with different plates over three olds and wanting to know will it look for that one as well.
Thank you for inquiring to that point and seeking out the answer.
Greg,
I would suggest that you do not read anything into my answer. There are some areas that I will not discuss for various reasons. I would STRONGLY encourage you to pay your tickets. Better sooner than later. Collection agencies and Law firms are nothing to play around with. Especially if the City is adding on 22% to your outstanding bill if outside resources are required.
TM -
Thanks for your concern.
I understand about law firms and collection agencies.
I have 3 tickets that are 11 years old. I got a letter from a Law Firm 6 years about it, and that was the last I heard from them.
I have one other ticket from 4 1/2 years ago. I received a letter from a law firm 4 years go. That was the last I heard from them.
I do not have any other tickets I am liable for.
FYI – I had a hearing for all 4 of these tickets, and feel strongly I did not deserve the ticket, and felt I presented strong evidence. I still was found liable.
So I understand that there is always a risk, but since I havn’t heard from anyone in years about these, and since the amount I owe is very low, I feel pretty confidant I am a low priority.
I guess time will tell.
Though I would be curious if anyone else had a law firm or collection agency go after them so many years later for a small sum.
Greg……..TM avoids answering certain questions for the same reason I do.
If we get “TOO Specific” on certain matters…it makes it easier for certain members of Management to identify us and attempt to take punitive measures against us for perceived violations of the personal rules.
Attention:
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution is part of the Bill of Rights. The amendment prohibits the Congress from making laws “respecting an establishment of religion”, prohibiting the free exercise of religion, infringing on the freedom of speech and infringing on the freedom of the press. In the 20th century, the Supreme Court held that the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment applies the First Amendment to each state, including any local government
DOR -
It’s all good.
Seems like basically what is being said is that Revenue doesn’t want these answers known for some reason.
It is publicly stated that any car a person owns can be booted if they owe tickets on any plate they own.
I am just surmising that if plates were cross referenced by the plate reader and the booters, they would make that knowledge public as well as a scare tactic to get people to pay up.
I can understand that they would not want the knowledge public if this weren’t true.
We certainly do not want our valued PEA contributors to this site (DoR, Lady PEA & Ticketmaster) getting in trouble with DOR management.
That would be VERY uncool and my Catholic and already guilt-ridden conscience would not be able to deal with that possibility.
Hey EJ!
Before I approve your comment, I really need to communicate with you and learn more.
To say the least, I’m VERY intrigued. Get in touch please. would love to talk.
Please e-mail me at: info@theexpiredmeter.com
Speaking as someone that has never worked with the Boot crew…..it wouldn’t surprise me if the system was able to instant back check every plate owned before by the current plate being scan’d.
Well good news switched the title of the van last night and now I do not own it and I will deal with the tickets later.
Lost track of my GEO Tracker:
Vehicle in question was parked on Ashland then towed away to another location because of construction (No notice posted until just wo days before the materials delivered) I was away when I returned no car and not knowing where they towed it then ticketed like crazy.
OUCH!!!
Thank you for the info and the heads up.
I want to remind people of one little nifty thing..
Tow zone signs…temp or perm…..If a Streets and San Tow Truck sees you…they can grab the vehicle even if it hasn’t been ticketed and drive to Impound.
I see it happen every day.
Excellent piece of info DoR!
Good to know.
DoR: Let’s be honest. The city will tow your car in a work zone even if signs have NOT been posted. Seen it happen.
then there is the Nifty little Loop Rule.
No Parking in the Loop : 6am-6pm
If you are not on a meter, in a loading zone you can be Towed just because……Legally.
But that can’t explain away what I’ve seen on residential streets far from the Loop.
SS……..
If it is a work zone……and the crew has the proper permits for the site…..and they call in a complaint……thats all the city needs.
DOR employees and S&S tow truck drivers can not control the fact that Tow Zone Signs of the Paper type disappear thanks to assholes that don’t want to move their cars…
One of the reasons why the City is Moving away from teh Temp Street cleaning signs and are going to install Perm Posted ones that are cemented into the ground.