By Nick Werner
Chief Reporter
Beginning today, the Department of Public Safety will place immobilizing boots on cars that would have been towed immediately under previous policy.
The boot will be placed on tires of cars with outstanding tickets, making it impossible for the car to be driven. A car must have racked up five tickets and $50 in fines to warrant a boot.
The driver of the booted vehicle will have eight hours to pay off outstanding fines, plus a $20 unlocking fee to remove the boot. If the car remains booted for more than eight hours, it will be towed.
"Our previous policy called for the car to be towed immediately, which meant a person had to pay off the fines on campus and then go off campus to pick up the car," said acting director of Public Safety Gene Burton, in a news release. "The towing bill was $35 plus $10 per day in storage fees. Now drivers can pay less and not have to leave campus to have their car released."
Burton said the new policy will also be easier on police officers. Under the old policy an officer had to wait by the car until a tow truck arrived, which often took more than an hour. Now parking services personnel will install the boot when they find a car on the towing list.
The boots are engraved with "BSUPD," and a yellow notification card will be placed on the booted cars' windshields.
People who find their cars booted during business hours should go to Parking Services, 317 N. College Ave., to pay their fines and removal fee. After hours, they should pay at the Department of Public Safety, 305 N. College Ave., or call University Police at 285-1111.
Cars parked illegally in director spaces, "Special 97" spaces and handicapped spaces will still be towed immediately.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
