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May 21, 2008 6:54 pm US/Central
Minneapolis Discusses Plan To Ban Car Boots
(WCCO)
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Car wheel boots, or clamps, immobilize cars parked in the wrong spots.
CBS
Car boots -- drivers hate them, property owners love them, and Minneapolis is considering banning them.
Car wheel boots, or clamps, immobilize cars parked in the wrong spots.
Wednesday, the public weighed in on the common practice of booting, and a proposal to ban them.
In this busy area of Lyndale Avenue French Meadow Bakery rents part of the parking lot owned by the CC Club.
"What we want is just our parking spots. A lot of times when I go there on Saturday morning the whole parking lot's full," said CC Club owner Lester Emard.
That's why the CC Club owner relies on booting companies to keep parking spots clear for his clientele.
"We have a lot of problems because of irate people and it's our property. So, we have a right to boot, now they want to take it away," said Emard.
Booting companies wait for drivers to park where they're not supposed to then clamp on the boot and charge around $100 to remove it.
"I was shocked and upset about the amount of money," said Minneapolis Resident William Wells.
Wells parked in this video store parking lot while he rented a movie.
Then he went across the street to get a quick cup of coffee and saw a guy booting his car.
"He told me I abandoned the car for the day and that I owed him $100 in cash at that very moment," said Wells.
The city has more than 300 complaints, issued 52 citations and collected $25,000 for illegal booting business actions.
"We don't believe there are such widespread problems with the present license holders that a prohibition is necessary," said boot company attorney Tom DeVinke.
Wednesday, a city council committee approved the boot ban ordinance with a provision that the city licensing director can allow it in lots where towing is not an option.
The full council will vote on this in two weeks.
A city license inspector said he and others spend 20 percent of their work time dealing with booting company violations.
Police said violent disputes often break out between booting employees and drivers which prevents officers from dealing with more serious crimes.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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