These Boots Aren't Made for Hacking

By Matt Wood in News on Oct 17, 2006 11:39AM

In the past, parking ticket scofflaws with more than three unpaid tickets who have gotten the dreaded Denver boot clamped on their front wheels had to wait for a city crew to come out and remove it. Instead of begging for coins to buy Khlav Khalash while they wait, many of them to try to remove it themselves, damaging the boot and racking up more costs for the city than the unpaid tickets themselves. So the city is trying a new program that lets them remove the boot themselves, no jackhammers necessary.

Drivers would be able to call and pay the fines via credit card, then enter a code on the boot's keypad to release it. Then they would be expected to return the boot with their heads lowered in shame, or face more fines. The program would increase productivity of the city crews, who the Sun-Times reports already boot 38,000 cars a year. It would also prevent the tampering that destroys up to three and a half percent of the boots.

At least one alderman worries that people won't return the boots once they are removed, since they got it because they aren't punctual about paying city fines in the first place, plus they're mad to boot (sorry, we had to do that). But Chicagoist doesn't see that as much of a problem. You already have their credit card number right? If they don't return the boot, ring it up again, just like Blockbuster charges you the full price of the movie now instead of continuous late fees when you don't return it on time.

The program doesn't begin until next spring though, so it's still not a good idea to drink 17 cans of crab juice while you wait for the city crew. You could be there a while.