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Lookin' to Put a Boot Up Someone's Ass

By Robert Wilonsky in News You Can Actually Use, Actually

Friday, Jun. 19 2009 @ 3:18PM

So, the city still hasn't figured out the whole to-boot-or-not-to-boot parking-lot problem -- but, look, it's only been an issue since January, and, well, what do you expect? If nothing else, the briefing docs get thicker and thicker -- here's the 50-page package prepared for this week's Economic Development Committee meeting. That said, the Save Deep Ellum coalition -- who this affects plenty, as evidenced by the warning signs taped up in every eatery's window last weekend -- just sent word of rally planned at Dallas City Hall for next Wednesday ~~from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m~~ at 1 p.m.

The long and short of it is: The parking companies want to be able to boot without having to provide electronically generated receipts, claiming the machines are too expensive for the smaller lots. To which business owners and residents say: No effing way. Says today's call to arms, in which their point is made far more eloquently than it is here: "The parking companies have hired a high priced lobbyist in order to get their way." Which is why the Save Deep Ellum'ites have fnally decided to get in the parking companies' way.

Update: The official flier for the event can be found here.

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10 comment(s) / Post a Comment

Anonymous says:

How about this, then:

The booting companies can only boot a car only after they've gone down to City Hall, filled out a "Permission to Boot" application (with sworn affadavit) and paid the requisite fee, and had that application approved by city staffers (which may take six to eight weeks), at which point the case would be set for trial in municipal court. Once a judge, having heard the evidence from both the booter and the alleged parking scofflaw, has signed off then the boot can go on.

Posted On: Friday, Jun. 19 2009 @ 3:38PM

Mark says:

See above for "high-priced lobbyist" at work.

Posted On: Friday, Jun. 19 2009 @ 4:07PM

Deadpan says:

Sounds like a job for the North Texas Club of Anonymous Angle Grinder Enthusiasts.

Posted On: Friday, Jun. 19 2009 @ 4:45PM

John M says:

If unpaid parking is such the rampant problem that they claim I would think that booting would be highly profitable, enough to offset someone standing there handing out paper receipts or an electronic meter.

I mean, really, is it that surprising that a group would fight so hard to engage in a highly profitable practice that gives the the victim little immediate recourse and puts the onus on the victim to provide evidence that the parking lots refuse to provide to them?

By not requiring proof that the victim didn't pay you are being given license to randomly extort anyone with no accountability, how can any rational person think this is fair?

Posted On: Friday, Jun. 19 2009 @ 6:05PM

Holly says:

Does the flier really say "Many of our favorite restaurants have seen a decline in bossiness already"? Isn't a decline in people being bossy a good thing? Just wonderin'.

Posted On: Saturday, Jun. 20 2009 @ 2:13AM

david says:

Just hire a few more people to write tickets then if people don't pay suspend their license. Pink Laptops

Posted On: Saturday, Jun. 20 2009 @ 7:22AM

c'mon says:

Just another reason I avoid Dallas and prefer downtown Fort Worth.

Posted On: Saturday, Jun. 20 2009 @ 3:55PM

Dave says:

ONLY IN DALLAS !!!

Posted On: Saturday, Jun. 20 2009 @ 4:05PM

chris von danger says:

The big issue w/ the parking lot owners across this city is the fact they got their properties either by purchasing them in good economic times or handed down by another party, which is very common and similar to tow lots in that regard. If they're going to boot, they need to suck it up and buy automated pay stations, dont give me this crap about not "having the money" to buy one. Elsewise, they need to be held accountable if they boot in both criminal and civil proceedings.

Posted On: Sunday, Jun. 21 2009 @ 8:20AM

Bailey-boo says:

If they can afford to hire a lobbyist, why can't they afford to buy electronic meters?

Posted On: Monday, Jun. 22 2009 @ 12:07PM