Buy Local. Get Booted.
Decatur Metro | July 26, 2009Margaret writes in…
My car was booted along with 10 others parked in the lot across the street from the Organic Farmers Market. I’d like to warn other Decaturites against assuming that they can park after 5 p.m. in the lot on the corner of Church and Clairemont. This lot is entirely empty after 5. The man who boots the cars sits in a corner of the lot in an unmarked white Chevy sedan waiting for unsuspecting prey. I, and others, parked for a mere 10 minutes for a quick run over to the farmers market. We were charged a whopping $75 to remove the boot. The boot company picked up $750 in about 15 minutes.
I’d be interested to know if the company Peachtree Immobilization is licensed to operate in the City of Decatur and if the city has set a limit on what the boot companies can charge.
Latest from Decaturish
I’ll bet you he’s only there on Wednesdays, too.
So sorry. I parked there too last Wednesday around 5:30 to go into the market. Not sure how I got lucky. . . .
Where exactly is this lot you speak of? There is no “corner of Church and Clairemont”; they are parallel.
If you mean Church and Commerce, which corner? There are lots on the Northwest, Southwest, and Southeast corners of this intersection.
Correction: The lot is on the SE corner of Clairemont and Commerce.
Second correction: SE corner of Church and Commerce.
According to http://www.peachtreeimmobilization.com ‘s “Staffing” page:
http://www.peachtreeimmobilization.com/staffing.html
all employees are required to wear an entire uniform and “have vehicles clearly marked with clearly identifying signage.” If the white sedan was in fact “unmarked”, then at the very least Peachtree Immobilization might like to be aware that its agents are violating internal policy.
Also, on their home page, PI describes their “agents” as “Our City of Atlanta booting agents…” Someone should definitely question whether they are licensed to work in Decatur.
Lastly, their website states that their “immobilization fee” is “typcially $50″
If anyone gets booted you should know that it is a fairly simple task to remove the boot. Let enough air out of your tire so that you can slip the boot off. Throw the boot in the dumpster. Remember to get your tire back to full pressure before going on any long trips. It sounds like a situation where it is not legal for them to boot your car, so I also suggest taking the license plate number of the perverts car that is spying on people and notifying the police immediately.
@Deodgur You can’t get the boot off that way. Trust me. And he’s not a pervert spying on people. He’s doing his job. The lot, which is on the corner of Church and Commerce, across the street from the Bank of America lot, is clearly marked as a pay lot. It takes two dollars, which is a LOT less than seventy five.
City of Decatur Code Sec. 98-84. Use of mechanical locking device or boot for automobiles.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person, except for law enforcement personnel, to affix mechanical locking devices, including those commonly referred to as “boots,” to any automobile parked in any off-street parking facility, lot or area located on private property within the city, regardless of whether a charge for parking is assessed, unless the following conditions are met:
(1) Signs shall be located at each designated entrance to the parking facility, lot or area where such a device is to be used indicating that parking prohibitions are in effect, such signs being erected so as to be clearly visible from each and every parking space.
(2) The wording on such signs shall contain the following information:
a. A statement that any vehicle parked thereon which is not authorized to be parked in such area may be subject to use of a mechanical locking device.
b. Set forth the maximum fee for removal of the device.
c. The address and phone number of the company setting the device.
d. The address and phone number of the owner of the parking facility, lot or area.
e. A statement that cash, checks and credit cards are accepted for payment.
f. A statement that no additional fee will be charged for use of checks or credit cards.
g. The address and phone number of the Public Safety Department.
(3) Phone numbers referenced in subsection (2)(c) above must be operable and answered in person during the hours mechanical locking devices are in use.
(4) Lettering on such signs shall be black on white, with reflective grade background, and be illuminated if out of headlight range.
(5) An attendant shall remain on-site at the parking facility, lot or area at all times when mechanical locking devices are in use and affixed to a vehicle. The attendant shall have immediate access to equipment to remove or release the locking device. The attendant shall have the means to accept and receive payment in cash, by check, if proper identification is provided or by at least one major credit card.
(b) Parking facilities, lots or areas that assess a charge for use of the facility, lot or area can use mechanical locking devices only when a receipt for each paid parking charge is provided.
Thanks, Steve. I just rode over (on my bicycle) to check the signs in the parking lot on the SE corner of Church and Commerce where my car was booted. The signs do provide all the information required by the Decatur City codes. The only way in which Peachtree Immobilization is in violation is that the bootman was driving an unmarked car.
Steve, your Code quotes get sexier every day.
Thanks to the Legal Eagles for that.
Then I certainly think they are in violation. Thanks again for another great session of City Code Fun with Steve!
you think they are in violation? either they are or aren’t. is their proper signage posted?
i am ever so paranoid about illegal parking, having lived in several big cities where parking was very difficult. its pure economics, much like scalpers for popular sports or entertainment shows. if people didn’t park illegally there wouldn’t be a market for the
booters.
and why did the original poster say “…for a mere ten minutes…” is there a minimum time when illegal parking is allowed? can i double park and hold up traffic because i just need to run in and do something? is 1 minute in a handicapped spot acceptable? 2? clearly the upper bound is 10. but if it was not illegal to park there, time is not an issue. if it was illegal, 1, 2, 10, 17, or whatever minutes is illegal.
doesn’t the lot on the other side of church provide free parking for the first 60 minutes?
but can someone please check the signage? not “well it was supposed to be 5 feet off the ground and its only 4.5 feet high.” not the technicalities. is it somehow marked no free parking at all times?
Citizen2, you most certainly get a boot off that way, unless boot technology has changed recently. There are several other ways to get them off as well. I’ve dealt with, and beaten two boots over the years. I would saw through the chassis of my car before I’d let those “people doing their job” get away with booting my car. Luckily nothing nearly so drastic is necessary. A boot is designed to look tough, but it’s far from a gordions knot, more like a facade.
(didn’t appear to post first time, sorry if this posts twice)
Why were you illegally parked?
I was not illegally parked, if I was I would have accepted the responsibility, even if it was a mistake. I prepaid as I was supposed to, both times. the sad reality is that the booters don’t care whether you followed their rules or not because their money slots conveniently (for them) don’t issue receipts. my advice is that if you get a boot, do a little research and remove it and give it to the police. If you can’t remove it for some reason then call the police so that they can remove it for you and take the booter to jail. But under no circumstances should you ever pay the booter when you’ve followed the rules, even if it is the convenient thing to do. It is akin to handing a bottle of gin to an alcoholic. You have a responsibility to do the right thing.
This booter is not welcome in The city of Decatur and I recommend that we all band together in encouraging the them to take their apparent illegal activities out of town, or confiscate the property through the proper legal channels and/or emminent domain.
Dedogur, when did you start playing the vigilante victim?
Not a big fan of booting, but where is the activity illegal? From everything I have seen/heard in this discussion, they appear to be following the law exactly as it is written.
Mmmm, I’d like to see somebody boot my car unlawfully (which it seems this company just might’ve done). All I can say is that the stereotype about Cubans & horrific tempers ain’t just a stereotype. Push a Latina sister too far, and you might just get cut, law license be damned.
I’d hate being booted, too, but isn’t that lot fairly clearly a pay lot? Or does it say something about 5pm?
People – just park in a legal way in a legal place and WALK to the market for your shopping!
I would suggest that someone go to the site to check out the signage and contact the DPD at 404-373-6551 to have them take a look.
I completely agree, Steve. If there’s a problem with the signage, or the company lacks the appropriate permits to operate in Decatur then there’s a case, but if you park in a pay lot without paying, then you shouldn’t really complain if you get caught!
FYI – you can park in the Town Center deck for free for the first hour. Why take a chance, even for ten minutes?
Because as Carolyn mentions above, people in Decatur tend tend to be LAZY and want a parking space right in front of where they want to go, yet still claim to want a compact, walkable community. Can’t have it both ways.
I still say our market should be on the Square instead of in the BofA parking lot.
I heartily agree with you Pete. But the last time I brought this up, commenters pointed out that when it was located back on the Square in 2005, prior to the construction of the MARTA plaza, foot traffic wasn’t all that great.
My response was…three of our four largest condos weren’t completed by 2005, so wouldn’t it be different today?
Never got much farther than that.
Decatur’s stated commitment to local food (and a pedestrian environment) and the location of it’s farmer’s market don’t really seem to jive.
Who is the sponsor of the market anyway?
From the Decatur Farmer’s Market website…
“DFM is in the process of achieving non-profit status. When this is accomplished (likely, for the start of 2009) an advisory board will be created. Until then, all decisions will be made jointly by the market founder and manager, Greg Coleson and Lauren Justice, respectively.”
So it doesn’t sound like there is a sponsor. I’m interested to know whether the market has to pay BOA to use that space. If so, then that’s just another reason to move it. Personally, I think the city should provide the space to the market free of charge.
DM, the challenge with the City providing space is where it could be with adequate space, central location, and accessibility. The Court House Square, for instance, is not City property. I’m sure the City and folks on this board would be open to suggestions.
Agreed as to the location.
Very interesting debate! Parking and booting clearly get people’s attention.
I’ve noticed Decatur as a whole doesn’t make it easy (i.e. offer cheap, plentiful parking) for people to park on the street, which should encourage people to walk more. Is it working?
Thanks for a very interesting discussion.
Street parking is plentiful – I can almost always find a spot within a block (OMG – walk a block!) of where I’m going. The meter rates, even after being increased, are less than Atlanta.
But, I agree with your premise of walking more.
Steve, I meant that the meter rates seem high — not that there’s not enough parking. You’re right — there’s a lot of parking.
The meter rates (also expensive in certain parts of Atlanta, as you say) to me suggest that the city wants people to walk more and drive less. I mean, if it cost 25 or 50 cents for an hour, as it did in the town in Pennsylvania I moved from last year, I’m guessing there would be no deterrent to parking on the street.
And by making parking cheap, cities/suburbs encourage driving everywhere.
I was specifically referring to the City of Atlanta for meter rates. The other effect of meter rates is that it encourages turnover in the parking places, which also leads to increased availability.
Perhaps it’s not clear — I think people should walk more! I’m just curious if it works.
Thanks for the warning. I have to admit that the couple of times I’ve been to the organic market, I’ve been very confused as to the appropriate parking situation. Some folks park in the BofA lot and walk over, and I’ve seen others park right in the lot where the market is going on. I agree that in an ideal world, we would 1) all walk to the market, and if that’s not possible 2) park legally, but option 1 is not always possible, and option 2 is sometimes more difficult than it should be to figure out (especially when you are rushing around trying to buy produce and fancy cheese and still get home in time for a reasonable dinner hour).
If it turns out that this is an illegal boot operation, perhaps we need to put in a call to Angle-Grinder Man (http://nielsenhayden.com/makinglight/archives/003745.html).
Oops, link got messed up. Here it is again:
http://nielsenhayden.com/makinglight/archives/003745.html
Small point about walking to market: I walk around Decatur A LOT! Nonetheless, shopping is one time when I cannot because I always end up buying more than I originally intended and have too much to carry home. I know there’s wheeled carts one can use but you have to know ahead of time that you’re going to be making purchases. Plus residential sidewalks are pretty rough on wheels once one gets away from the immediate downtown pavement.
While you still have the ability to walk, you should make it a point to do so. A block or two of walking would be beneficial, and you can take something on wheels with you just in case you “might” buy more than you can carry comfortably. The roughness of the sidewalks available is a given, in places, but maybe that will serve to remind you of the handicapped people who use these sidewalks every day with or without motorized assistance. Just WALK!
If it were walking a block or two, I would have no trouble. But like many walkers in Decatur, I often walk over a mile to get where I’m going, often around 4 miles total round trip, by the time I’ve finished all that I’m doing. When I drive, I’m often buying more than one cart of groceries or packages. Cycling is another great option but one is limited to what saddle bags can do for you. This isn’t to excuse folks who should be walking more or are parking inappropriately, it’s just to acknowledge that a market in metro Atlanta is going to have shoppers who want to load up a trunk full of stuff. If we were San Francisco, Chicago, or NYC, a farmer’s market could survive without parking. But the Decatur Wednesday market gets a lot of folks who are driving by on Commerce or Church and say “Hey, kids, let’s stop and get some bread and produce since we’re here anyway”.
Completely agree that rough sidewalks are unfortunate for handicapped and would love for them to be fixed for everyone. I don’t understand what’s the city’s responsibility and what’s the homeowner’s responsibility. Our silly residential area actually advocated for having no sidewalks at all so none is what we have. I’ve never seen a motorized wheelchair or other assistance on our street. I think handicapped folks have to have an adapted car or use the MARTA handicapped transportation option. I’ve seen the MARTA van on our street.
My town-bike’s grocery panniers (www.jandd.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FGBP-SPECIAL) have carried more than 60 pounds of groceries for one trip.
My next purchase will eliminate the need for car-oriented grocery shopping altogether: http://www.biketrailershop.com/catalog/578-croozer-cargo-p-199.html.
The alternatives to car-centered living are available and actually quite feasible, especially in cities like Decatur. My last trip from home (Winter Ave.) to the Wednesday farmer’s market and back took around 40 minutes. And, I purchased many unplanned goodies.
Also, I just returned from Portland where the nearby Whole Foods is smack in the middle of a neighborhood with a puny parking lot (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Portland,+OR&sll=33.7622,-84.312019&sspn=0.01172,0.019484&ie=UTF8&ll=45.523247,-122.636722&spn=0.002469,0.004871&z=18).
Okay, I haven’t REALLY wanted to tell everyone about this, but hey, why not since we are bemoaning lack of walkable grocery shopping? I got a big mouth. An ex of mine once owned a business in Oakhurst. The landlord of said building actually turned down an offer by WHOLE FOODS to buy the space. Owner of said building wanted to sell it to a developer for CONDOS. Condos fell through, Whole Foods moved on. Owner is a complete buffoon. I am left with doing quick grocery runs(okay, ice cream and Lifesaver Gummie Sours runs) to the Hop and Shop (which s actually much better than the Big H was).
So in other words, we almost had a Whole Foods in Oakhurst/Decatur about 3 years ago. I realize it is anecdotal, but I do believe my source and know absolutely he was in a position to know about the negotiations. What this has to do with parking I don’t know.
This is the cruelest thing that’s ever been written on a website. I hope you’re happy with the pain you’ve caused Nellie! This very moment I can hear yuppie’s up and down my street crying into their iPhones about the loss of great salad bar and seafood gumbo.
But seriously, I’m not sure I believe it. A Whole Foods within a mile of East Lake? These grocery rumors take on a life of their own. Anyone remember the one about the Trader Joe’s in the Salvation Army store? That one had about 4 or 5 lives.
Lyn, is this true? If it is, lie to me.
He swore to me that was one reason he lost his lease! I hope it’s not true I hate driving to buy my baby his $15 cheeses.
Just another one of those urban rumors that just won’t die.
An ex of mine once owned a business in Oakhurst. The landlord of said building actually turned down an offer by WHOLE FOODS to buy the space. Owner of said building wanted to sell it to a developer for CONDOS. Condos fell through, Whole Foods moved on.
This is completely untrue according to every reliable source I have ever heard. Stuff of pure urban legend. Heard the same story before but insert “Market One” or “Candler Park Market” into story instead of Whole Foods. Think about it …. Whole Foods would never move into that location given their requirements.
I swear it started with a local landlord, because that business owner was dead serious when he told me about why his lease wasn’t renewed when he was the only tenant in the building.
And the 2.5 children go where?
Having said all that, if Trader Joe’s put a store in downtown with no parking, I’d walk there! I would just make frequent small purchases! It’s open until 10 PM so one can shop there without a carful of clamoring kids, unlike the Farmer’s Market which is open only during peak carpool times. But people say that Trader Joe’s wants ample parking space too. It seems like all markets feel that parking is a necessity for success. The brief life of Metro Market (where Taco Mac now is) had ample parking. I haven’t seen walkable versions of Whole Foods or the DeKalb Farmer’s Market either. Parking is pretty tight for the Morningside Farmer’s Market but I think most are still driving there.
I correct myself: There’s Sawicki’s. Trucking meat home by foot for 20 minutes in 90 degree heat may not be the best idea but their excellent pastries and baguettes should make it!
Sadly, the Sawicki Cupcakes of Heaven do not handle the heat very well from West Ponce to Oakhurst in the back of a stroller.
Maybe it’s my poor reading skills, but I didn’t see anything in the code Steve posted that said anything about the attendant’s vehicle? It does say an attendant shall remain on the site at all times mechanical locking devices are in use, and they basically need to be able to accept payment and release the device.
Obviously, an attendant needs to be identifiable in the event you want to pay them / have the thing removed, but I’m not sure there’s anything that says they can’t be a little sneaky when they’re hanging out looking for offenders?
Of course, being that the attendant needs to be present all the times the boot is in use, maybe the trick (once you see a boot on your car) is to walk home and leave the car and the attendant stuck there all night!
There wasn’t anything in the code. It was on the company’s website that their employees should be in marked cars.
Personally, I am all for booting illegal parkers. People forget the impact taking someone’s marked parking has on businesses, especially small, locally owned businesses. I have worked in two retail establishments whose business was impacted by illegal parkers. One company was able to hire a booter because we owned the lot; in the other, which was located near Piedmont Park, the landlord refused to enforce parking rules because of one tenant’s objections. On a clear Sunday or during a festival, our business would drop by- no kidding- 90% and almost all spaces were taken up by people who were just hitting the park. The store moved specifically because of the landlord’s refusal to address the issue of illegal parkers (BTW, other tenants have now forced the landlord to deal with it).
Unfortunately, parking facilities have to enforce the rules pretty strictly and consistently because if they don’t, people will freak when they DO have to enforce them. Besides, it seems like this was a pay lot- a lot whose owner makes his/her income from people paying to park on his/her land.
A whole other issue is whether an open parking lot is the best use of that prominent space. I can’t even remember what used to be there before it became a parking lot. A gas station? Even an ugly gas station would be more useful to me. It would be nice if city code could somehow be invoked to make that corner a little more attractive. Trees or bushes? Grassy islands? The lot where the Decatur Farmer’s Market actually occurs is a lot more appealing.
That property has been on the market quite some time. Code does address permanent parking lots, but apparently not “temporary” ones like property that is on the market.
Wow! I can think of a bunch of things I’d rather go in that lot too, but none of them compelling enough to entice me to offer to buy the lot from the owner and do something else with the land.
When did it become OK to think of the law as a means of forcing property owners to serve other people’s idea of the common good instead of a protection against that very thing.
“When did it become OK to think of the law as a means of forcing property owners to serve other people’s idea of the common good instead of a protection against that very thing.”
Um, Josh, sugar dumplin’, that’s pretty much what zoning ordinances (e.g., laws) do– they compel property owners to make their property in certain areas conform to the common purpose that the municipality has decreed those areas are to serve. ‘Twouldn’t be unheard of for a city to implement just the sort of guidelines that Snowflake’s suggesting.
That whole strip on Church St. between Ponce and Commerce (and slightly beyond Commerce) is an ugly, depressing eyesore. Were the planning commission that allowed the structures to go up in this area at the time all smoking something?
The last structure that was built in that block was at least 25 years ago and planning philosophies have changed greatly since then.
And FYI…if anyone wants to buy up all that property on Church and develop it, I’m pretty sure the city would give you a parade and a key to the city. Or even better…a key to the Brick Store.
Key to the Brickstore?
I’d settle for a chair at the Brickstore. On a Thursday.
I’m not a miracle worker Andisheh.
Actually most of those buildings date back to the 60s — different era/different vision. They certainly offer a redevelopment opportunity and one that we have discussed from time to time with the owner. Certainly don’t expect anything to surface any time soon.
Siding with the booted.
I have been booted when i put my money in the proper slot at the box. I didn’t have time to argue with the attendant and just paid. They count on people to do that. I know people who have had the same issue. It really is easier to just pay them and get over it.
BUT i love the people who say walk more lazy lard basically. Hey, if you walk with a cane, walk more. In a wheel chair, walk more. Carrying 3 kids, walk more. Only need a tomato, have it delivered. I mean seriously folks, please get over yourselves really. As an avid runner and biker all 105 pds of me can say that! I do walk, but everyone gets in a rush.
As someone has been booted booted and wrongfully, i paid and i guess i’m part of the problem. It doesn’t sound like that was the case here, but i can say they are sneaky and they know people just want to get on with life so they boot away legal or not.
I have forgotten things while cooking and hopped in the car in a rush to go grab whatever was missing. I hate to say not to support local business, but in a rush next time, just go to the Publix. Quick and plenty of parking.
Lastly, i remember a case a few years ago where a guy was booting people illegally, and continued to do so until one day he booted a judge. That put an end to that.
Or depending on what you need, try Sawickis. In the evening after 6p, there are usually plenty of free spots along Ponce Place between 315 and the CVS plaza.
Her selection of staple fruits and veggies (lemons, limes, onions and potatoes) have saved me numerous times.
Kudos to Steve for finding and sharing the city ordinance. I recently had a booting experience where the boot man was very rude and confrontational, demanding cash and refusing to show ID. Not knowing about the ordinance at the time, I did not think to call the Decatur Police. The boot man was waiting for me and it wasn’t until after I had paid and he left that I found numbers to call and further found out no one was answering.
I was mostly bothered about the truly unnecessary confrontational nature of the boot man and thought it worth calling the city to see if there was a way to lodge some sort of complaint. Sure enough the folks in the city economic development office heard me out and informed me about the ordinance. They suggested I contact the Public Safety office about the demand for cash and refusal to show ID, which I did.
There is more to this, but long story short: The Decatur Police also heard me out, understood my frustration and have spoken to either the boot man himself or the owner of the company. Thanks to them for following it up and thanks to the city economic development office for at least listening. It is my sense that they are aware of how frustrating this can be and that they are trying to make sure these businesses at least stick to the rules. Small comfort to those of us who are out $75 or more, but at least the city did try to be helpful.
Illegal parking is illegal parking. You choose to take the risk every time you do it. If the owner or operator of the parking lot starts letting people park for free for “just 10 minutes”, how long do you think it will be before it’s 30 minutes, 2 hours, all day?
The sense of entitlement of people to park on private property–property that belongs to someone else, and in this case is in the business of collecting money in exchange for parking –is typical in today’s society but wrong.
As a business owner (City of Atlanta), my parking is for the use of my patrons. When other people choose to park in this parking lot–that is clearly marked as being for the use of my patrons only–the cars will be towed. Sorry, but this will happen even when my business is closed. These illegally parked cars increase the litter, crime including car breakins, vagrant activity, prostitution, and more. Park in the numerous public and street parking spaces. In my area, it’s not about finding parking, it’s about wanting to avoid paying a few dollars, or walking a block or two.
You sound like a republican talking about healthcare
A truly illuminating and thought-provoking comment, Dedogur. Take a statement by someone directly affected by illegal parking and turn it into a political attack on the hated Republicans and their opposition to BHO’s health care proposal.
Not sure what your plan is, though…to derail the parking discussion into yet another fruitless political free-for-all?
It was a compliment, wise guy
Coulda fooled me, but OK.
Stacey – I can understand your reluctance to yield some of your parking spaces to people who are not shopping in your store, but I think it is a real “put off” to see these proprietary parking spaces marked and enforced. If I could park there without restriction, I might even come into your store among my other errands and become a real customer. It appears to me that such marked parking spots are usually EMPTY — that’s why I notice them in the first place! And if you are prohibiting parking in “your parking spaces” after your business hours, I have to wonder why, actually. You could gain some good PR by being more gracious about letting people park there after hours, and who knows what enticements some after-hours window shopping would offer. I avoid proprietary parking stores, because they indicate some kind of paranoia in their fever to keep people away. Not a very inviting business model, I think…
I don’t understand why it is so off-putting to see proprietary parking spaced marked and enforced during a business day or why you think it is a bad business model. It would seem like a bad business model to NOT have some spaces set aside for your customers. I shop at Sevandanda somewhat regularly and they have had to have a parking lot attendant on the weekends to keep people from parking in their lot who are going elsewhere. I know they dislike the thought of booting or towing, but it was becoming pretty frustrating for people who actually want to shop there not to find a space in their lot. Can you honestly say you would not do the same thing if you were a business owner? I’m not sure what the big deal is, really. If a lot is clearly marked “no free parking anytime” or “parking for customers only”, why would anyone think that they should be the exception?
“And if you are prohibiting parking in “your parking spaces” after your business hours, I have to wonder why, ”
I think Stacey explained that quite well:
“These illegally parked cars increase the litter, crime including car breakins, vagrant activity, prostitution, and more. “
Stacey [edited: no personal attacks] And please, let us know your business so we can choose whether to visit it or not if we prefer. I do not litter, nor do i prostitute myself just fyi..
If you rent your lot to illegal booters, shame on you.
Okay, I don’t know where this “illegal booter” stuff is coming from. This guy is not illegally booting cars. The lot is properly posted per the city code. Margaret even admits this. The booting company’s website says their operatives drive marked cars. THE CITY CODE DOES NOT REQUIRE THIS!
Stacey is 100% right to protect her small business by protecting her parking.
I’ll take booting over the predatory towing they have in Savannah. There, towing companies can tow your vehicle if they believe you are parked illegally. They don’t have to take pictures to prove you are guilty, so they’ll tow you if you’re anywhere near a no parking zone. $75 for the boot is much better than $200. At least they scratched my paint for free