The City of Greensboro North Carolina instituted an amnesty program and by voiding late fees, collected $70,000 of the over $2 million owed the city. On average they collect about $38,000 a month from parking citations.
Let’s see…the city is owed $2.2 million in back parking ticket charges, of which $1.4 million is late fees. To collect the $70,000 they forgave $200,000 in late fees. Read about it here.
But now the hammer is coming down. They are going to tow any care with three or more outstanding tickets.
Good move. I may not be motivated by late fees, but if I have to pay my tickets and then a towing charge to get my car back, I would suggest that in the future, my parking fines would be due on time.
I assume that the towing company has the right to sell the car if the person doesn’t show up to pay within a certain time. Makes sense, the city gets the money for the fines and….what? Who gets the money from selling the car? I assume the city with a fee going to the towing company. If not, towing companies would be out there towing everything in sight.
If you are collecting about half of the parking fines due, what you have is a law with no consequence. Most people know they don’t have to pay so they simply don’t pay. These types of procedures make for a better city government, a better parking program, and a better city.
JVH
One Response
Clamping the cars works out more cost-effective than towing. Clamping has two problems – it’s possible for the clamps to be removed and stolen, and the vehicle in question is left stuck in what may be an inappropriate place – but clamping can be undertaken more quickly, and without the need for specialist vehicles or a pound to remove the vehicles to. Where the vehicle is found somewhere where parking is allowed – but the time limit is exceeded, or payment should have been made but wasn’t, clamping can be a very effective form of enforcement for parking restrictions.