Why Dallas Needs to Be More Walkable

By Robert Wilonsky Thu., Jan. 22 2009 at 11:25 AM

Categories: News

Because, look, your ride just ain't safe. KXAS-Channel 5 has the story of the "brick-wielding vandals" targeting cars in East Dallas. In all, more than 24 folks had their cars smashed up late Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning -- without anything being stolen. Alas, this no-really? note at the bottom of the piece: "Dallas police suggested residents park their vehicles in garages instead of out on the street."

And then this: KTVT-Channel 11 ran a piece last night about a "rash of tire boots" kicking ass in Deep Ellum and downtown. Who's to blame? Not the city. Nope, says Barry Annino, it's Parking Company of America, which he says booted his car in a parking lot Annino, um, owns. (If you've been booted, you definitely don't wanna look here. Not at all. Never.) And then there's this piece from WFAA-Channel 8 about the need for new street signs -- federally mandated because of, ya know, "older drivers." No, not you, Mom.

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Write a letter to the Better Business Bureau when this happens. I got booted (after paying) in downtown once. I looked up the company and they'd had complaints for scams in other cities. I wrote to the Better Business Bureau and got a check for the full amount back within a month or so. Make them go through the hassle that they put you through and they'll get a write up on record for unfair business practices.
The place I work owns a parking lot, and had Parking Company of America running it. But PCA is WAY too outlandishly aggressive about booting, so the relationship was terminated. I just have to say - I miss the parking attendants - they knew all of the regulars, and would cut you some slack at the start of the month. But it's so much cheaper per month in a non-attended lot!
I don't have much sympathy for those who do not pay and are booted; however, the lots I'm familiar with have poor signage (if any). There aren't really any rules at this point on booting -- towing companies have to have permits, which is why Barry Annino is pushing for a "booting" ordinance to create some standards. There are two problems that are much more serious. First, folks are getting booted who have paid in full, either on a monthly basis or by paying the slot. The parking company has no real system for keeping track of who has paid and who hasn't. During the day, $2 is the fee for the day. If they clean out the box at noon (and take your $2), it looks like you haven't paid when they come back at 3. Then you get the boot. Second, the folks getting booted are blaming the Deep Ellum merchants for this situation. Deep Ellum doesn't need another reason for folks to stay away. Seems to me that no one is driving to Deep Ellum to park in these lots -- they are coming down to patronize the businesses, and the lots benefit from those businesses. Much more booting will solve that problem -- the customers will stay away!
More cars were hit this morning.
Start with your own yard.
Any chance we could get these guys to work on Lower Greenville for a few weekends??? Just the business parking lots, mind you. We can take care of the Resident Parking Only streets all by ourselves.
I saw some of their handy-work (smashed rear window) on Prospect Ave yesterday morning and thought it was an isolated incident (mad girlfriend or sumsuch). Man, that sucks.... what a misserable way for a bunch of people to start their day.
Dear Stinker The drivers with monthly parking passes that hang in the windshield pay (upfront) $80 a month to park in those private lots. The parking enforcers should have noticed the parking passes that clearly dangle from the rearview mirror. There is absolutely no reason to boot someone who has paid in advance and has clearly displayed his or her pass.
You need to add back photos and more text to the RSS feed. Without them it just blends into the rest of the local news feeds.
Yes, RoB, two folks interviewed for the story said they didn't pay -- shoulda known better. But several others say they did have the proper permits and/or paid the box and still got the boot.
Another reason we need PCA out of the neighborhood, their lots are dirty, underlit and subject to crime. Why they wont just build some smaller(2-3 story)parking garages in the neighborhood is something ive been asking for awhile.
<i>"It's like they're waiting to catch somebody doing something wrong," said Scott. Um, yes, that's the idea. So pay the parking fee and you'll be fine. <i>"They make an honest person into a dishonest person." And how exactly do they do that? <i>The two admit they failed to put money in the pay box</i> But remember, they're honest people! Coming next week: Unfair Parking brings you tips on how to make slugs that work in parking meters, and how to fool red light cameras.
In Dallas, with the proper permits and compliance signs on private property, you are required to pay to park there. Amazing how many people can not grasp that concept. The owner/operator is perfectly within his rights to immobilize the vehicle until fees are paid. It is much cheaper than having your car towed which is also within the rights of the owner/operator. If you ever had to retrieve your car from an impound lot where towed, you would be agree that booting is better.