Video report by Mike Krafcik, Fox CT
Text by Jenna Carlesso, Hartford Courant
This summer, parking delinquents in Hartford will get the boot. Literally.
On July 21, the city’s parking authority will begin putting immobilizing boots on cars whose drivers have amassed five or more unpaid tickets. Boots will be placed on vehicles for up to 24 hours, during which drivers may pay their outstanding fines. After 24 hours, cars may be towed.
The crackdown is part of an effort to collect about $13 million in unpaid fines.
“It’s a signal that we’re getting more serious about collections,” parking authority CEO Eric Boone said. “The purpose of citations is not revenue generation. It’s behavior modification. You’re not following the rules, so you get a smack on the wrist. But we have to put some teeth behind it. Obviously, with $13 million in backlog, there’s not enough teeth behind it.”
The enforcement is “essential,” Mayor Pedro Segarra said Friday, “to ensure that our limited on-street parking resources are properly shared.”
But before that effort starts, parking officials are offering offenders an out.
From June 23 to July 18, motorists with citations that are more than six months old will get a 20 percent discount if they pay outstanding tickets. The discount applies to the total amount — fines plus penalties — for up to five citations.
To receive the discount, all outstanding tickets must be paid, officials said. The citations can’t be subject to an appeal or under a payment plan.
The parking authority will pay $12,000 for the boots and $6,000 in advertising for the amnesty program, Boone said.
The authority accepts payments at its parking management office, 160 Market St.; online at hartfordparking.com; or by phone at 866-425-3269.
For inquiries about towed vehicles, motorists may call the Hartford police records division at 860-757-4150.