www.fighttheboot.com

BOOTMAN GETTING SUED FOR $12,500

2011-05-08T21:21:00.000-07:00

MARIETTA - After his car was immobilized at a parking lot near Marietta Square that's becoming well known for booting vehicles, attorney John Steakley filed suit.

Filed April 1 in the State Court of Cobb County against Bret Alan Tillman and Atlantic Coast Contracting, LLC, Steakley is requesting a judgment of $125, attorney fees and punitive damages of $12,500 from Tillman's booting service for holding his car ransom to unlawfully extort money, the suit claims.

Read more: The Marietta Daily Journal - Lawyer files lawsuit over vehicle booting

WHEEL CLAMPING RULED A CRIMINAL OFFENSE

2011-04-19T23:52:00.000-07:00

"It will become a criminal offence to clamp cars on private land, putting rogue firms out of business, under a ‘Freedoms Bill’ to be introduced in Parliament in the next few days.

The move is expected to save the public £55million a year in fees from a racket that the AA branded ‘legalised mugging’.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1355005/Wheel-clamping-private-land-criminal-offence.html#ixzz1K2mWxrIG "

Orlando City Council Clamps Down on Car Booting

2011-04-19T21:21:00.000-07:00

"Orlando City Council --

A key provision would cut the fee for removing the steel, locking clamp to $22.

The issue drew City Hall’s attention after the Orlando Sentinel reported several cases in which people had their cars booted improperly. Those include a Coca-Cola truck booted while making a delivery, a van booted with a family sitting inside, and several people booted while visiting their bank or lawyer’s office. "

SOURCE ARTICLE LINK

ALBUQUERQUE TO BAN PREDATORY CAR BOOTING

2011-04-19T01:55:00.000-07:00

City clamps down on parking boots
Albuquerque Express
Tuesday 19th April, 2011
(Source: KRQE)

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Albuquerque City councilman Isaac Benton will introduce new city ordinances to regulate private companies from booting cars in their parking lots.

The new proposals include: ...

•Placing at least two visible signs that cars will be booted, what the cost is for removing boots and a 24/7 telephone number for the booting service
•Companies must remove a boot within an hour
•They can charge no more than $75
•Private lots that boot must provide patrons with parking stubs so they can prove when and how much they paid
Benton said he's proposing the changes because city hall has received numerous complaints that cars are being unfairly booted.

If companies violate the laws, they could face fines up to $100.

http://www.krqe.com/dpp/news/local/central/city-clamps-down-on-parking-boots#viewSingle115972269

Parking boot gets the boot in one Georgia county

2011-02-03T13:11:00.001-08:00

Parking boot gets the boot in one Georgia county

Associated Press

Posted on February 3, 2011 at 8:52 AM

CANTON, Ga. (AP) -- Authorities in one Georgia county are giving the parking boot -- the boot. Cherokee County Commissioners have voted to ban the booting of cars and trucks. The clamps had been placed on cars that were "illegally parked" on private property. One commissioner says car owners were being charged up to 500 bucks to have the boots removed. But the owner of a company that uses the boots defends the practice. He tells the Cherokee Tribune the clamps were mostly used to prevent overnight parking of tractor trailers.

EDITORS COMMENT:

Notice how the owner of the car booting business defends the practice by making the absurd claim that it "prevents" people from parking there. Let's examine this closer, so you see why I say it is absurd:

If you paid the wrong meter box, or didn't pay on your way to the sandwich shop, you are not suddenly "guilty" of "parking illegally." Perhaps you were entering the shop to get change for the meter. Preemptive car booting denies the motorist any semblance of due process.

They immobilize your car in their parking lot, which is an unlawful seizure of your property, then they charge you a fine, or a "release fee". They arrogantly "punish" you to deter you from violating their rules in the future. To teach you not to park there "illegally", they keep your car trapped in the very spot they supposedly don't want you to be parked in. This means that they are knowingly preventing their own lot from earning money from other motorists who might have utilized that spot.

A NOTE ABOUT THE PHRASE "ILLEGALLY PARKED"

They throw around the word "illegal" in order to make you feel like you committed a crime. It's part of the overall high pressure strategy intended to lessen your resistance to the coercion. If you paid the wrong slot or didn't see the sign, you didn't commit a crime. Remember, we're supposed to be "innocent until proven guilty."

Car Booting on private parking lots is a ridiculous scam. They have no right to punish you, nor do they have the right to fine you. Your right to due process and your right to an appeal are both completely circumvented by these illegal booting operations. The idea that they have the right to do so because you're on their property is also nonsense.

Those who hire car-booters to manage their lots are solely in it for the money.

(CAR BOOTING A MILLION DOLLAR A YEAR EXTORTION RACKET)

These are multi-million dollar a year operations in larger cities. The lot owners display a very medieval understanding of property rights. These "private" parking lots are in public places, and masquerade as businesses. However, they are used as a means to entrap people, to seize their vehicles unlawfully, all with the express purpose of extorting their CASH.

If it was about parking lot control, their objective would be to earn money by selling spaces by the hour. If that really was the case here, they would not keep their own spaces blocked by booting cars. They would write tickets instead. And why don't they? Because they don't have a legal right to demand these fees.

The trick is simple. They pretend to be a business and solicit their parking spaces for your use. Then, if you don't pay, or pay the wrong box, they impound your car. They convict you of theft even though you may have been getting change to pay the meter. You are presumed guilty with no recourse, no appeal.

Car booting on private lots is a total scam. It's a coercive and unethical practice. Don't fall for it.

DOZENS OF CARS 'BOOTED' AT MLK PARADE

2011-01-17T23:08:00.000-08:00

Las Vegas, NV -- Dozens of parade-goers were steaming mad Monday afternoon when they returned to a downtown parking lot to find their cars had been 'booted'.

"A lot of people were yelling, a lot of people were swearing, a lot of people were cussing," says booted driver Breauna Trotter. "A lot of angry people."

SOURCE: http://www.ktnv.com/story/13858837/c

Illegally Booted Cars In Private Houston Lots

2011-01-17T13:37:00.000-08:00

HOUSTON -- Police have ruled more than 130 parking boots to be illegal on private parking lots throughout downtown Houston, but people have been forced to pay up regardless, Local 2 Investigates reported Tuesday.

SOURCE http://www.click2houston.com/news/

BOGUS CAR BOOTERS

2010-12-14T15:19:00.000-08:00

"BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC) - A Birmingham city councilman wants to give the boot to folks who boot cars."

SOURCE: http://www.myfoxal.com/Global/story.asp?S=13668566

MAN SUES BOOTING COMPANY AND WINS "BIG CHECK"

2010-11-20T10:21:00.000-08:00

Car Booting 'Gestapo tactics'

2010-10-14T13:01:00.001-07:00

With at least a couple of city councilors opposing the move, and one resident denouncing it as "Gestapo tactics," city officials agreed this week to delay booting cars in residential areas or private driveways until they can gather more information.

-- Steve Collins

http://www.bristolpress.com/articles/2010/10/13/business/doc4cb5da1bc1b23110910228.txt>/a>

BOOTING IN MORE RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS!!

2010-07-13T17:58:00.000-07:00

Here we go again. More clampers being hired to extort from private residences own driveways. Booting and demanding cash to remove the boot:

"They say that appears to constitute theft, also a crime."

"I think it's ridiculous," says Stephanie Filipelli."

"Unethical," adds Robert Soelberg, a retired police officer.

http://www.ktnv.com/Global/story.asp?S=12793954

According to Nevada's own laws, however, this practice is ILLEGAL:

http://www.ktnv.com/Global/link.asp?L=448429

PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION!

Thanks!

Theft, Extortion and False Pretenses

2010-06-17T18:04:00.000-07:00

VEHICLE WHEEL CLAMPING IS ILLEGAL IN SUDBURY:

"
The POA also provides for a trial to prove your were guilty of the alleged offence. You weren’t given a trial or the option of having a trial, you were just found guilty and forced to pay on the spot by a private company who is breaking the law.

Section 51 of the by-law articulates who can issue summons and tickets and NO WHERE does this by-law allow a private company to do ANYTHING to ANYONE regarding ANY alleged offence.

In short, you got screwed.

The city needs to require this company to reimburse ALL people who have been a victim of this scam since it began.

Or you can sue them and you can seek additional damages for violating your charter rights. You can seek you legal costs in fighting this, too.

And you will win, too!"

City of Moncton Begs for Boot Ban

2010-06-08T08:13:00.001-07:00

"I'm fed up with this issue and I cannot accept any arguments from staff that there's nothing we can do because this action occurs on private property," said Boudreau.

He added the municipal building inspectors regulate the number of parking spaces rental houses must have on their property, so there must be a way to regulate private parking as well.

He asked city manager Jacques Dubé to prepare a bylaw for the next council meeting June 21.

Until then, he said, he'll be boycotting any businesses that boot.

"This is a straightforward matter. Let's ban those idiotic items!" he said. "This booting stuff is insane."

SOURCE: http://timestranscript.canadaeast.com/news/article/1085208

Class action suit filed against 'booting' company

2010-04-01T05:03:00.000-07:00

"LEE COUNTY: A Fort Myers law firm has filed a class-action lawsuit against a local security company for unfair vehicle booting practices:

...a class action lawsuit filed on Tuesday that claims Whitestone's booting fines are "illegal" and "nothing more than a profit enhancer."

Last year, Collier County received so many booting complaints, most of them about Whitestone; it capped booting fines to $25.

Ernest Aviles, a former Whitestone employee, claims his boss told him 'I want you to kill Lee County. I mean, I want you to hit them hard' (with booting fees). "

SOURCE: http://www.abc-7.com/Global/story.asp?S=12191260#

TIRE CLAMPERS DEFEATED IN LEE COUNTY

2010-03-24T05:56:00.000-07:00

Source: http://www.abc-7.com/Global/story.asp?S=12191464

CAR BOOTER ADMITS TO CORRUPT BUSINESS PRACTICES

2010-03-21T02:43:00.001-07:00

"...Lee County commissioners will consider capping boot-removal fees at $50. Late last year, Collier County set a similar cap at 25 dollars, after receiving complaints about fees topping $200.

Mr.Aviles, a former car booter says a lower fee is "...only fair, especially in the economy right now. I've seen people wake up in the morning, they couldn't take their kids to school, they couldn't go to work, they didn't have 160 dollars cash in their pocket to get that boot taken off."

SOURCE: http://www.winknews.com/news/local/87967007.html

DALLAS CONTINUES FIGHT AGAINST ILLEGAL CAR BOOTING

2010-02-27T13:25:00.000-08:00

"I just came out to go get something to eat, and then I came and saw my car was booted," Rivera said. "If that many cars are getting booted, there's got to be something wrong."

View more news videos at: http://www.nbcdfw.com/video.

Francisco Guzman, who was parked just a few spots down, said he also paid the parking fee.

"There's a ticket here, and there's a couple of boots on my wheels," he said.

"We paid our $5," one angry customer told the parking lot attendant. "Where did it go?"

"There should be a camera showing that he put the money in there, because I witnessed him putting the money in there," said another irate customer. "We're not crazy. It has to be some kind of scam or something."

The drivers had to pay $100 to get the boots removed from their cars.

"This is theft, because I did pay the $5," Guzman said.

The car owners said they plan to appeal the fines they had to pay to get the boots removed from their vehicles."

RESIDENTS' CARS BEING BOOTED AND TOWED FROM THEIR OWN DRIVEWAYS!

2010-02-24T19:56:00.001-08:00

Another out of control booting company:

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

"The residents said they believed the park's management was getting a kickback from all the towing..."

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=9776182

WHEEL CLAMPERS TARGET CARS TRAPPED BY SNOW

2010-01-17T20:01:00.000-08:00

"Motorists who abandoned their cars in a pub car park returned the next day to find that they had been wheel-clamped. The drivers left their vehicles outside the Roebuck Inn, in Winchester, Hampshire, after ice and snow brought traffic to a standstill."

"This is the bit that is so galling about this story.....the pub was shut at the time, has been shut for days and has signs ALL OVER saying that it would not re-open until the new year. It's not exactly as if there were paying customers that lost out on parking spaces!!" --Jim Evans

SOURCE: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/weather/article6965764.ece

"CAR BOOTING" BAD FOR BUSINESS

2010-01-09T18:57:00.000-08:00

"...While details and locations vary slightly, the villain remains the same: booting companies.

A growing number of folks have parked in unattended lots, left their money in a steel box as instructed and returned to their cars to find a boot on the tire. The men in bulletproof vests who arrive to remove the boot will only set vehicles free for a large fee. Assertions that they paid to park get car owners nowhere, leaving them stranded with an immobile vehicle.

Finally, though, the city of Dallas is cracking down on booters gone bad.

Source: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/editorials/stories/DN-booting_30edi.State.Edition1.2df3ec2.html

CAR BOOTER FINED $18,000.00

2010-01-09T01:12:00.000-08:00

"California: Police Car Booting Extortion Scheme Foiled

Former reserve cop pleads guilty to forgery in scheme that made thousands from booting cars.

Brian Hanhart pleaded no contest on September 11 to forgery after being accused of running an extortion scheme while serving as a reserve sheriff's deputy in Marina del Rey, California. Hanhart runs Municipal Parking Services, a company that placed boots on vehicles parked in private lots in Lawndale and El Camino Village in 2004. Hanhart sought payment of $80-100 for the release of each car.

An August 2004 opinion by the state attorney general made it clear that police officers may only boot cars located on public streets. Hanhart must now perform ninety days worth of community service and pay $18,000 to charity -- an amount designed to deprive him of the profits gained from his illegal booting scheme."

Source: http://www.bootandtow.com/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=11

HOW TO COMBAT PARKING LOT FRAUD

2010-01-09T00:59:00.000-08:00

"...We intend to try to use video surveillance and any other means available to document what these THIEVES are doing. We have created a Facebook page called "We're Declaring War on the Parking Lot Boot Crooks in downtown Dallas", which we will use to document incidents. If you have a story to tell about the parking lot thugs, we would welcome your input to that page.

Posted by Mike O."

Source: http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2010/jan/02/how-combat-parking-lot-fraud/

DALLAS' NEW ANTI-CAR BOOTING ORDINANCE TAKING EFFECT

2010-01-09T00:45:00.000-08:00

"...Booting companies can be cited and fined up to $500 for each violation."

Source: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/010810dnmetparking.3d4f12a.html

Deep Ellum Bans "Tire-Boots"

2010-01-05T22:26:00.000-08:00

The rules have changed when it comes to parking in private lots in Deep Ellum. As of Friday, lots in Deep Ellum that allow booting must issue parking receipts, either electronically or through an attendant. The Dallas City Council approved the ordinance in August after hundreds of drivers complained about having their cars booted, even though they'd paid to park.

Barry Annino, President of the Deep Ellum Foundation says "...the new ordinance was more than a year in the making. “It’s taken thousands of emails, complaints and hours at City Hall.”

Source: http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local-beat/The-Parking-Rules--80486762.html

TIRE CLAMPING ILLEGAL IN SAN DIEGO

2010-01-02T00:28:00.000-08:00

"A company that was ordered last month by the state to stop clamping vehicles on Capitol Hill has moved its operations to San Diego, in a state where officials have also deemed the practice illegal.

Total Parking Solutions, a Seattle-area company, has been operating without a city business permit, according to officials with the Treasurer's Office in San Diego. Lot attendants have been demanding that vehicle owners pay $280 to remove boots from cars parked in business parking lots."

SOURCE: http://www.seattlepi.com/local/220385_clamping16.html

TIRE CLAMPING IS ABOUT MONEY, NOT PARKING CONTROL

2010-01-01T17:31:00.000-08:00

"The truth is that the majority of car clamping has nothing to do with preventing traffic obstructions...."

"...car clamping is now just an end in itself, an easy way to rake in cash from motorists who have to pay whatever outrageous sum is demanded of them."

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1213261/Curb-cowboy-clampers-Time-run-thugs-town.html

DAILY MAIL CALLS FOR CRACKDOWN AGAINST LEGALIZED MUGGERS (TIRE CLAMPERS)

2010-01-01T17:28:00.000-08:00

"The AA says the industry is 'totally immoral' and has clamped one in every 17 drivers.

Home Office Minister Alan Campbell admits clampers are 'indulging in unacceptable behaviour including unclear signage and excessive fees', and is planning legislation in this year's Queen's Speech."

SOURCE: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1212881/Curb-cowboy-clampers-Mail-leads-calls-crackdown-legalised-muggers-milk-1bn-year-drivers.html

DAILY MAIL DEMANDS ACTION AGAINST TIRE CLAMPERS

2010-01-01T17:24:00.000-08:00

"WHAT THE NEW LAWS SHOULD SAY

FULL RIGHT OF APPEAL

Motorists who receive penalties on public roads have a legal right to an independent appeal. Motorists clamped on private land are at the mercy of a completely unregulated regime.

At best, firms offer a right of appeal only to themselves, and are obliged only to send a letter explaining why the penalty is being upheld.

AN INDEPENDENT TRIBUNAL SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED TO HEAR APPEALS BY MOTORISTS WHO ARE CLAMPED ON PRIVATE LAND.

STRICT LIMITS ON PENALTIES

For parking offences on public land, maximum penalties are fixed by the Department for Transport. Outside of London, the upper limit is £70. Inside the capital, it increases to £120.

The charge for recovering a vehicle which has been towed away is £105, with a storage charge of £12 per day. The maximum charge for removing a clamp is £40.

On private land, clampers can charge whatever they want. Drivers regularly receive demands for £500.

THE MAXIMUM PENALTIES FOR INFRINGEMENTS ON PRIVATE LAND SHOULD BE IDENTICAL TO THOSE ON PUBLIC ROADS.

RESTRICTIONS ON TOWING

Councils are advised to remove a vehicle only if it is causing a danger, blocking access or if it appears to have been abandoned.

Private clampers routinely tow vehicles away within minutes of a parking offence taking place. This allows them to maximise profits by charging for both the removal of the vehicle and the original penalty.

NO VEHICLE SHOULD BE TOWED AWAY UNLESS IT IS POSING A DANGER, BLOCKING ACCESS OR HAS BEEN ABANDONED.

INCENTIVES FOR CLAMPING

Councils are instructed not to offer incentives to traffic wardens to penalise as many motorists as possible. Because private car parks are unregulated, no such arrangements exist.

Deals can be struck between clampers and landowners to pay a commission for each motorist who is forced to pay a penalty.

THE USE OF INCENTIVES SHOULD BE BANNED. CLAMPING FIRMS SHOULD RECEIVE A FIXED SUM FOR POLICING PRIVATE LAND, REGARDLESS OF HOW MANY MOTORISTS ARE ISSUED WITH PENALTIES."

BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU WARNS AGAINST "PREDATORY" BOOTING AND TOWING

2009-12-30T15:38:00.000-08:00

"...Be careful where you park, or you may come back to find that your vehicle has been booted or towed. Towing vehicles from private parking lots in Charlotte has become big business – so big that consumers are filing complaints with the BBB and some are alleging predatory towing practices."

SOURCE: http://www2.mooresvilletribune.com/content/2009/oct/09/bbb-warns-against-trolling-wrecker-services/c_0/#comments

REFUNDS FOR "CAR BOOTING" FEES

2009-12-30T15:33:00.000-08:00

JERSEY-- Has your car been booted? If it was done illegally, you'll soon be seeing a refund check. The City Council voted 5-4 (with Councilmen Mariano Vega, Bill Gaughan, Peter Brennan and Michael Sottolano voting against) to return money to residents whose cars have been illegally booted in the past four years. Jersey City Parking Authority Director (and former Ward B councilwoman) Mary Spinello has until Sept. 1 to submit a plan for the refunds. (Stay tuned for more on this ...)

SOURCE: http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2009/06/jersey_city_municipal_council_2.html

CEO OF BOOTING COMPANY "CRAFTED CITY BOOT ORDINANCE"

2009-12-29T07:02:00.000-08:00

HOUSTON- "A company called Equipark is among the new players in the arena. Chief Executive Officer Joe Martin said, "We're doing anywhere from 30 to 60 boots a day."

He admitted that he helped craft the city's boot ordinance while serving on the city of Houston Parking Commission."It kind of dawned on me that there may be a business opportunity here..."

"His company has employees aggressively patrolling a number of lots all over downtown. Local 2 Investigates found them booting cars where payment machines were broken and, in one case, where the valid payment receipt was simply flipped upside down on the dashboard.

Martin said, "We're not trying to find a way to trick them. If we can see that that's a valid receipt, we're not going to boot them, but if we can't see that it's a valid receipt, it could be a receipt they picked up off the ground, it could be a receipt from yesterday, there's just no way of knowing until you see the other side of that receipt."

Source: http://www.click2houston.com/news/21585736/detail.html?dsq=27467814#comment-27467814

AGGRESSIVE "CAR BOOTERS" ANGERING INNOCENT PEOPLE

2009-12-28T20:53:00.000-08:00

Some people are outraged over Jersey City's aggressive parking enforcement. Even innocent people are being caught up in the drama.

BOOTING VICTIMS CONSIDERING CLASS ACTION SUIT:

SOURCE: http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/news/investigative/091215-jersey-city-parking-boot-drama

AN EPIDEMIC OF TIRE CLAMPERS

2009-12-28T20:20:00.000-08:00

"...I was faced with someone who was rude, threatening and aggressive. Someone who charged me £120 to release my car. What has happened to decency? These clampers are a new breed of cowboy police who are being allowed to infiltrate our society."

SOURCE: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/aug/22/observer-panel-wheel-clamping-just

"Car Clampers" On The Rise

2009-12-28T20:17:00.000-08:00

"Car clampers are on the rise as the number of people holding licences for the unpopular practice has soared this year."

“A compulsory licensing scheme for operators will leave clamping firms in no doubt as to their responsibility to the public and anyone breaching the strict code of practice risks losing their licence. Firms will have to ensure signage is clear, fines are proportionate and towing practices are regulated.”
source: http://www.expressandstar.com/2009/12/28/big-rise-in-number-of-legal-wheel-clampers/

"LEGALIZED MUGGING" REGIME

2009-12-28T20:14:00.000-08:00

"...Newspaper’s demand for the regulation of a ‘legalised mugging’ regime worth 1billion-a-year."

"... Land owners who allow unlicensed clampers to operate from their property also face jail. Any driver who feels they have been wronged will be able to appeal to an independent tribunal, funded by a levy on parking and clamping companies.

At present, motorists appeal to the clampers themselves – scandalously allowing them to act as judge and jury.

WHY CAR BOOTING IS NOT A SOLUTION

2009-12-28T16:05:00.000-08:00

"Some may say that the high cost acts as a powerful deterrent, but when you consider the fact that many signs are occluded, and many regulatory times unclear, $60 seems like an awful lot to pay for inadvertent infractions, when deterrence isn't necessary."

"Employees of the company are paid solely on commission, meaning if they want money, they have to boot."

"...the lack of a decent appeals process."

"...what about the case of empty lots? Do complexes really need to enforce when there are no cars in the lot? There needs to be a stipulation in the system allowing for this. Again, if booters weren't paid solely on commission, I think we would see less ridiculous enforcement."

SOURCE: http://provopulse.com/?q=node/10889

DALLAS STILL FIGHTING PARKING LOT EXTORTION RACKETS

2009-12-28T00:03:00.001-08:00

"...the Dallas City Council passed an ordinance in August designed to crack down on booting companies and the parking lots that employ them...Lots that don't boot cars will not have to issue receipts even if they use towing to enforce payment.

...Council member Angela Hunt, who represents parts of Deep Ellum and who pushed for the receipt requirement, said she wants drivers to know that they are entitled to proof they paid:

"Do I think this will end all booting problems in Deep Ellum? No, because I still think there will be unscrupulous and unethical booting companies. But the city now has some method of penalizing these people in a forceful way," she said.

SOURCE: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/122809metellumparking.3b3bad7.html

BEWARE OF PARKING LOT EXTORTION

2009-12-27T21:40:00.001-08:00

"...$50 to have the boot removed. According to the Atlanta Police Department, this lot has had numerous complaints in the past. Please beware of this possible scam targeting convention-goers."

SOURCE: http://dailydragon.dragoncon.org/2009/beware-of-parking-extortion/

PARKING LOT EXTORTIONISTS MAY FACE $5000 FINE AND 6 MONTHS IN JAIL

2009-12-27T21:34:00.000-08:00

"Car clampers are to be banned from charging motorists what they like under a government crackdown...Bosses of private firms who break the rules would face six months in jail or a fine of up to £5,000."

SOURCE: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/2753890/Relief-for-motorists-as-rogue-wheel-clamping-bosses-face-new-crackdown.html

Government "Crackdown" on Parking Lot Extortionists

2009-12-27T21:30:00.000-08:00

“We want to make sure that best practice is being observed and we want to make sure that motorists are not being bullied or intimidated.”

SOURCE: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/road-and-rail-transport/5024036/Crackdown-on-rogue-parking-companies.html

Clamping Industry Out of Control

2009-12-27T21:28:00.000-08:00

The amount of money paid by motorists to clampers and private parking companies has reached "epidemic proportions", according to the AA.

SOURCE: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/road-and-rail-transport/6060854/Clamping-industry-out-of-control-AA-warns.html

FOUR TIRE-CLAMPERS ARRESTED FOR EXTORTION

2009-12-27T21:25:00.000-08:00

"At the moment the sector is largely unregulated, meaning the outrageous excesses of some operators are allowed to continue unchecked," said councillor Neil Eustace, chair of the council's public protection commitee."

SOURCE: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/5852427/Birmingham-clampers-arrested.html

Clamping is a State-Sanctioned Extortion Racket

2009-12-27T21:17:00.000-08:00

"By refusing to clamp down on the clampers, the police are neglecting their duty to protect the public..."

"Extortion is a particularly ugly crime. It is committed regularly, apparently endorsed by the Government. Firms claiming to "protect" privately-owned land from trespassers clamp any car that makes the mistake of parking in an area patrolled by such a firm. The firm's agents then refuse to unclamp the car unless paid hundreds of pounds by the owner or driver, who has to pay up or lose his car. The clampers will increase the fine unless it is paid immediately."

SOURCE: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/personal-view/5804259/Clamping-is-a-state-sanctioned-extortion-racket.html#postComment

PARKING LOT EXTORTION AT STARBUCKS

2009-12-27T20:47:00.000-08:00

Extortion Scam

"This is the biggest scam I've ever seen. I was visiting in Charlotte, had a couple of minutes for a cup of coffee, decided to run into Starbucks. I was driving a big truck and couldn't fit in the small parking spaces behind Starbucks, so I parked in the lot behind that. I was in Starbucks less than 5 minutes, came out to get in my truck and couldn't believe this thing was attached to my wheel! This is extortion. All he has to do is sit there and collect money from innocent, unsuspecting people, while telling you there IS a sign there. (But it's in 10 pt type.) I went into the office and told the lady I don't know how she can sleep at night! How can we get the word out? I am sending a letter to Starbucks asking that they put a sign on their door!"

July 18, 2009 by Kris in Frankfort, KY

SOURCE: http://www.merchantcircle.com/business/Key.Man.704-332-7767/review/read?cid=727993

CAR BOOTING A MILLION DOLLAR A YEAR EXTORTION RACKET

2009-12-27T20:42:00.000-08:00

"Parking Enforcement Systems is a private company categorized under Parking Stations and Garages and located in Birmingham, AL. Current estimates show this company has an annual revenue of $500,000 to $1 million and employs a staff of approximately 5 to 9."

SOURCE: http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/a12i6/i_got_a_boot_on_my_car_i_moved_it_and_they_said/

Parking Lot Thug Facing 43 Counts of Extortion, 12 Counts of Coercion

2009-12-25T20:49:00.001-08:00

“He simply went too far,” spokesperson for the Augsburg public prosecutor’s office Matthias Nickolai said.

The 30-year-old man is accused of 43 counts of extortion and 12 counts of coercion after forced money out of drivers for illegal parking under contract of supermarkets, hospitals and clinics, Nickolai confirmed."

SOURCE: http://www.thelocal.de/article.php?ID=23543#comment1871968

Dishonest, Unregulated Wheel-Clampers

2009-12-25T20:43:00.000-08:00

"The activities of less than honest wheel-clampers have been the subject of numerous newspaper articles and Watchdog-style TV shows for many years. Having concluded that self regulation was not the answer, with effect from 3 May 2005 the government introduced a licensing regime for wheelclampers in England and Wales, making it unlawful"

Source: http://www.practicalconveyancing.co.uk/content/view/9847/1126/

Extortion in Victoria, British Columbia Parking Lots

2009-12-25T20:36:00.000-08:00

"As residents we have no recourse against these assholes, “pay us or you will regret it.”

Did the governments not ban racketeering and extortion to rid us of the “Mafia”?

But its ok because for Robbins Parking to do it. At least the Mafia extorted money in return for protection. Robbins parking extorts money from us and we get nothing in return other than an unsafe place to park our vehicle for a short period of time."

Source: http://www.psyc3d.com/victoria-parking-woes/comment-page-1/#comment-2620

Petition To End Tire Clamping on Private Land (SCOTLAND)

2009-12-25T20:33:00.000-08:00

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Outlaw Private wheel clamping and vehicle removal companies. More details

Submitted by Tom Halvey – Deadline to sign up by: 15 January 2008 – Signatures: 263

More details from petition creator

"The Facts about wheel-clamping in Scotland, in 1992 wheel-clamping on private land was banned overnight, as it was declared to be extortion and theft. * Many clampers don’t have offices and work from PO Box addresses or from mobile phones. Charges can range from around £50 to over £500 for the removal of clamps and towing away fees. The government brought in legislation that has effectively legitimised extortion by clamping companies, how can clamping be a crime of extortion in one part of the U.K. and is then legitimised in another area of the U.K.

Fines/costs levied are far in excess of anything that could be called reasonable.We are concerned that there are inherent flaws with the licensing scheme arising from the fact that there is no enforceable code of practice that clampers have to abide by upon receiving a licence and are still able to charge as much as they like. The government should look to rectify this as a matter of urgency."

Is Private Clamping Legal?

2009-12-21T23:48:00.000-08:00

"According to the RAC, the clamping of cars by private companies could be an infringement of the 1998 Human Rights Act. The motoring organisation says that the fines charged by private individuals are usually exorbitant and unjustifiable.

The fines for parking on private land are also demanded without any type of legal process and this is something that the RAC would like to see changed. The changes would certainly help people with courier jobs, as there is nothing worse than returning from a delivery to find a large yellow wheel clamp placed on your beloved van."

"So how exactly is wheel clamping illegal? Chris Elliott, a barrister for the RAC, argues that the concept of one citizen punishing another is alien in English law and that the purpose of clamping is simply to prevent a vehicle being on private land without permission. Therefore, Chris argues, clamping is perverse as it perpetuates the harm caused to the landowner which is ultimately a self-inflicted wound.

The only tactic is to punish or deter, both of which have no foundation in English law. This is because they are based on a notion that one person cannot punish another and that punishment is a power reserved solely for the State.

There are further arguments by barristers that the practice of clamping is also contradictory to protocol 1 of the Human Rights Law, which states that every person is entitled to the peaceful enjoyment of his possessions and should not be deprived of them, unless in accordance with English law."

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Is-Private-Clamping-Legal?&id=3060854

Wheel Clamping Is Illegal In Britain

2009-12-21T23:42:00.000-08:00

"A NUMBER of articles and letters have appeared in the Argus over the past two weeks on the question of wheel clamping.

When are those involved going to wake up to the fact that wheel clamping is illegal under the laws and constitutions of Great Britain.

Arbitrary fines were made illegal some 600 years ago by the Magna Carta, which guaranteed the right of trial before any fine or other punishment could be imposed.

This has been ratified several times since, in such acts as the 1689 bill of Rights, the 1701 Act of Settlement, and Article 6 of the 1998 Human Rights Act.

No one can be subjected to a fine unless found guilty in a court of law.

Putting up notices stating an intention to clamp illegally parked vehicles does not make the act lawful. Under civil law, as opposed to criminal law, you cannot have your goods seized for non-payment of a debt unless the debt has been proved in the civil court and a warrant issued.
Neither do any of the clamping firms have any defence by claiming to be licensed. No one can be licensed to break either the criminal or civil law,

Anyone who has been clamped is quite entitled to sue for damages in the civil courts. "

Source: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=764326

WHEEL CLAMPING RULED AS "EXTORTION" AND "THEFT" IN SCOTLAND

2009-11-29T23:33:00.000-08:00

The Facts about wheel-clamping

In Scotland, in 1992 wheel-clamping on private land was banned overnight, as it was declared to be extortion and theft.
Many clampers don’t have offices and work from PO Box addresses or from mobile phones. Charges can range from around £50 to over £500 for the removal of clamps and towing away fees.
It is estimated that the clamping industry is worth somewhere in the region of £240 million per annum, with around 350 firms operating across England and Wales.

Examples of Cowboy Clamping behaviour

The RAC Foundation has received hundreds of complaints about cowboy clampers over recent years. Our dossier of cases includes:

A postman who was clamped whilst delivering a parcel to a customer’s front door
A lady who reported her car stolen, only to be telephoned by clampers a month later, demanding £900 for the release of her car
A clamper who forced a heavily pregnant lady to walk two miles to a cash point to get the clamp release money
A hearse was clamped with a body in the back of it
A disabled lady was clamped when her badge feel off the windscreen of her car. Despite producing her badge, the clamper demanded payment and claimed he was “clamping for charity”.

A man was clamped when he stopped because the clamping lorry had run into the back of his car.

Legislation

In 2001, in response to The Foundation’s and motorists’ concerns, the government passed legislation in the form of the Security Industry Act in order to set up a licensing scheme for clampers. The Security Industry Authority (SIA) was later set up in 2003 to implement the scheme.
As of 3rd May 2005, clamping without a Security Industry Authority Licence became a criminal offence. Anyone clamping, towing or blocking vehicles for a fee will now need a licence.
All wheel-clampers now have to undergo training, criminal record checks and identity checks in order to be granted a license to clamp.

SOURCE: http://www.racfoundation.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=284&Itemid=30

Reno Officials Investigate Car Booting Companies

2009-10-25T19:32:00.000-07:00

"Reno police and city officials are investigating car booting companies after numerous complaints of employees demanding cash and other alleged ordinance violations."

Investigators found the car booters had "...refused to identify themselves" and that these businesses, who are governed by both the licensing department and Reno municipal codes, were "...not really meeting the guidelines and requirements..."

SOURCE: http://www.tahoedailytribune.com/article/20060523/REGION/105230021/-1/REGION

ORLANDO CITY COMMISSIONER WANTS TO BAN CAR "BOOTING" IN PRIVATE LOTS

2009-10-14T13:33:00.001-07:00

Orlando city commissioner wants to ban the practice of "booting" cars parked in private lots. It has been described as "...out of control."

Click here to read what residents have to say about private car booting operations:

http://www.topix.com/forum/city/orlando-fl/T6IIV1I2NS4R67AQD#comments

Here are a couple highlights:

"The boot serves no purpose... it's a straight up money grab. It doesn't free up a parking space - which is supposed to be the reason for enforcing illegal parking anyway.

At least towing frees up the parking space for those who are "supposed to be there"... or at least that's the excuse.

These predatory tow companies are the lowest forms of life."

and

"...to place a boot on a vehicle is technically theft since the vehicle owner is being deprived of use of the vehicle without lawful cause since there is no inclusion in any code for a private entity to boot a vehicle, only to tow it.

So, if push comes to shove the tow operator could be charged with grand theft, dealing in stolen property, and extortion for requiring $100 payment to release the stolen property. It would probably only take one arrest of the greedy tow truck operators to make this practice come to a screeching halt. "

Tougher Rules For Dallas Car Boot Operators

2009-10-14T13:26:00.000-07:00

"The compromise approved Wednesday will require receipts given by machines or a lot attendant as proof of payment for any lot opened after Wednesday.

It will impose the receipt requirement in phases for existing lots.

The largest number of boot complaints came from Deep Ellum, and that area will get the receipt requirement on Jan. 1, 2010. Other lots would be added by July 1, 2011.

By Jan. 1, 2011, all lots in the city must provide receipts before they will be permitted to boot cars."

SOURCE ARTICLE

Fury at Car Boot Clamping

2009-10-11T18:59:00.000-07:00

"There was outrage at a car boot sale when clampers swooped on Sunday morning bargain hunters.

Tyres on the clamping company's van were slashed as tempers flared and police were called."

"Lewes MP Norman Baker, who was browsing nearby stalls, said the row highlighted the need for greater scrutiny of the way clampers operated and the fines they charged."

SOURCE ARTICLE HERE (click)

BBC NEWS: Should Private Car Clamping Be Banned?

2009-10-11T16:23:00.000-07:00

The practice of clamping cars parked on private land should be made illegal in England and Wales, according to the AA. What do you think?

The public have absolutely no protection if a private parking firm acts unfairly

Paul Watters, the AA

The motoring group argued that "immoral practices" are common among private parking firms and government plans for greater self-regulation would not work.

Trade body the British Parking Association said the AA had suggested no "credible" alternative. Wheel clamping is already banned in Scotland and in Northern Ireland only unlicensed vehicles can be clamped.

Does car clamping on private land work? Have you been clamped on private land? Should England and Wales follow Scotland's example and ban clamping? What alternatives would you suggest?

READ FULL STORY HERE: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8212776.stm

Car Booting - Atlanta, GA Complaints - $50.00 fine for visiting the store

2009-10-11T16:12:00.000-07:00

Many residents of Atlanta have complained about unlawful booting:

"Fight Predatory "booting" and towing by boycotting those shopping centers who's property owners hire these companies. Tell the store managers you will not be returning to spend your money there! Tell everyone you know to avoid these places and write about them on the internet! It will make a difference!

NO ONE LIKES HOW THESE SCAMMERS MAKE MONEY!!! They may be legal, but that does not mean they are right! Legality is only a matter of acceptance. If enough people complain, and loudly, then the laws will change!

I am a victim too. The "Disco Kroger" parking lot at 3330 Piedmont Rd. near where Piedmont crosses Peachtree Rd. is one of these places. It is regularly patrolled by men in white vans who work for EPS, a company that will place a tire lock on your car if you leave the parking lot for ANY LENGTH OF TIME. You will be charged $50, and in my case they will claim they can run your credit card for the money, cancel the transaction, and require cash to remove the boot. Don't ever pay them in cash! If you pay them through your credit card company, you can dispute the charge. If necessary, I recommend calling a police officer (which I didn't do but should have) to act as a liason to keep the EPS employee straight and honest, and keep you safe. These "employees" will get confrontational with you if you get angry! BEWARE!!

EPS is located at Peachtree Street, Suite 400 Atlanta, Ga 30303 (404) 605-9242.

The Property owners of the Disco Kroger Shopping Center are Equity One Inc. Located at 1600 NE Miami Gardens Dr
North Miami Beach, FL 33179 (305) 947-1664"

SOURCE: http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/car-booting--atlanta-ga-c27564.html#c455895

Is Clamping a State-Sanctioned Extortion Racket?

2009-10-10T19:14:00.000-07:00

"By refusing to clamp down on the clampers, the police are neglecting their duty to protect the public, says Alasdair Palmer."

"Vehicle clamping isn't designed as a deterrent, but as a cash cow."

SOURCE: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/personal-view/5804259/Clamping-is-a-state-sanctioned-extortion-racket.html

Car-Booting Punishable With $5000 Fine in Washington

2009-10-10T19:08:00.001-07:00

Using "The boot" to immobilize a vehicle on private property in Washington is now a crime punishable by a year in jail and a $5,000 fine:

"In response to numerous consumer complaints, the Legislature passed a law making such impounds criminal."

Source: http://www.seattlepi.com/local/233988_clamping26.html

Fredericton Company Gives Boot to "Car-Booters"

2009-10-10T19:01:00.000-07:00

A complaint against a parking enforcement company in Fredericton has led to a ban on the controversial method of blocking unauthorized vehicles known as booting:

"We are talking about a method of enforcement that is illegal. Keeping your property "hostage" until the "ransom" is paid is illegal. Gluing his papers all over your car is illegal.

Locking your wheel with bolts could interfere with your tire alignment, could scratch your wheel covers and car, being sneaky , threatening and intimidating people is just wrong and illegal.

He is not police, who gives this guy the right to enforce the law anyway?"

SOURCE: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/new-brunswick/story/2009/02/09/nb-parking-boot.html

Poor Signage Leads to More Car Booting and Angry Customers

2009-10-10T18:50:00.000-07:00

Here's another case from September, 2009 out of Canada:

"Jon Norman, who manages the Great Canadian Pub on Orange Lane, said the crackdown has been hurtful to his business, mostly because the crackdown has come without warning.

"I've lost customers," he said. "Maybe (the parking crackdown) it's necessary, but the implementation's been bad. They've got these tiny little signs with small print that are about the size of a stop sign."

SOURCE: http://timestranscript.canadaeast.com/news/article/793288

Dallas Boot Law Vote Delayed

2009-10-10T05:17:00.000-07:00

View more news videos at: http://www.nbcdfw.com/video.

"...city councilmembers Wednesday delayed for at least two months a vote on a law to regulate parking lot booting. It comes after months of meetings and angry complaints from customers.

The complaints center chiefly on lots where customers put cash in a slot but receive no receipt to prove they paid. The immobilizing boot is placed on a wheel as a penalty for failing to pay. The fee to remove the boot is generally $100.

Many people insist they were booted unfairly.

“All we’re asking for is a reasonable ordinance, you provide a receipt,” said Sean Fitzgerald with the Deep Ellum Community Association.

Fitzgerald was prepared for a planned public hearing and city council vote on Wednesday, with dozens of supporters to speak and a petition with more than 800 signatures."

Source: http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local-beat/Dallas-Backs-Off-Boot-Law-Vote.html

Private Parking Lot "Booting" Ruled Illegal in Washington State

2009-10-10T01:41:00.001-07:00

In 2005, authorities in the state of Washington ordered companies operating in parking lots to stop using the "boot" to punish drivers for trespassing on business parking lots.

"There are no laws regarding the use of wheel clamps, but attorneys for the Licensing Department said that using them to immobilize someone else's vehicle is illegal for anyone but an authorized government agent, such as a police officer."

"Using a clamp to immobilize a vehicle is to deprive the owner of the vehicle of the use of his property. That vehicle is being held for ransom, basically, until the owner pays the money to release it...That's an impound."

Source: http://www.seattlepi.com/local/208947_clampdown22.html

Tire Boots "Plague" Dallas Parking Lots

2009-10-10T01:04:00.000-07:00

Tire booting is considered a "plague" in Dallas. Overzealous private parking companies are said by one driver to be "...waiting to catch somebody doing something wrong," and that "...they make an honest person into a dishonest person."

The practice of private booting has aptly been described by many as a "money making scheme." I suggest that the term "racket" makes more sense because the "car booters" create circumstances unfavorable for anyone parking in their lots, and then they extort money (CASH ONLY) from drivers who want their cars back.

SOURCE: http://cbs11tv.com/local/Tire.Boots.Plague.2.914624.html

Kim Holland or KRQE News 13 Previews Unethical "Boot Man"

2009-10-10T00:06:00.000-07:00

Reporter Kim Holland or KRQE News 13 provides a little background to the parking lot disputes which have happened in the past, and why people are so upset by the manner in which their cars are being booted. One point that needs to be accentuated: the parking lot's payment box is on the opposite end of the lot, a whole block away.

This makes it very unclear to the Subway sandwich shop patrons that they are even supposed to pay. The signs that do exist are bent up, graffiti enhanced, and placed so high up on the wall that they're all but lost among the advertisements.

People find it frustrating because they are made to look like they are trying to get away without paying, when in reality, most are simply caught unaware. It is my contention (and that of many others), that this is part of an intentional ploy to entrap unsuspecting drivers:

"...how they're doing it is awfully suspicious and there's a lot of drivers that are upset with the method..."

"It's an unusual way that they're booting these cars....but its not..... quite......right..." --Kim Holland

Minneapolis City Council Bans Unregulated "Car Booting" Industry

2009-10-09T23:10:00.000-07:00

The city of Minneapolis found the "Car Booting Industry" to be an unregulated, obnoxious practice and they had the good common sense to eliminate it. I hope that Albuquerque will take similar measures to protect it's residents.

According Minneapolis' city council's report:

"...booting companies were observed booting without adequate signage and without proper authorization."

This is exactly what is happening to residents of Albuquerque. The place where my car was booted had signs, albeit graffiti covered, weather-torn, and poorly placed ambiguous ones. The report went on to explain that:

"...several companies also charged unauthorized fees, used intimidating behavior and threatened to have cars towed if booting fees were not paid immediately..."

This too, resonates with observations by people in Albuquerque, including my own. I would definitely say it was "intimidating behavior," not to mention weird. The word "sketchy" also comes to mind. I was being staked out by a creepy, beat-up car with tinted windows. The man inside refused to identify the name of his "business" or to provide so much as a business card or a receipt. I had no way of verifying if he had a legitimate right to boot my car in the first place.

Furthermore, the toll-box was over 50 yards away on the other side of the (mostly empty) lot. His behavior and methods weren't what I would have expected from an actual parking lot attendant.

It was clear to me, as it has been to far too many others, that this "boot man" is intentionally creating the problem in order to provide a solution--at a profit. In other words, it's a racket.

Source: http://www.mndaily.com/2008/06/18/city-council-bans-car-booting