Parking illegally in Midtown may result in a boot instead of a tow, and some say it's for the better.
Recent changes in the towing policy at the UF Plaza, 1702 W. University Ave., have frustrated some merchants in the area, but others argue that booting is preferable to drivers.
Parking Solutions, the towing company that patrols the lot, switched from towing cars in the lot to booting about seven weeks ago.
Kevin Witesides, owner of Parking Solutions, points out that booting is less expensive than towing but still acts as deterrent.
The booting fee is $60 versus $76 for towing. Booting also reduces the chances of damaging the vehicle, a problem often associated with towing, he said.
When getting towed, people can incur up to a $300 fee, Witesides said. Beyond the initial charge, a bill can include a storage fee, a lien fee and administration fees and taxes.
Booting incurs no additional fees, he said
"In the beginning no one wants [to be booted or towed]," Witesides said. "But when they think about not having to get a ride to the towing company to get their car, and it saves them time and money, they always agree booting is the better option."
When a car is booted, contact information for Parking Solutions is left on the windshield. Company employees respond within 10 to 15 minutes to remove the boot, Witesides said.
"We try to be fair as much as possible," he said. "If someone is illegally parked, and they come back in a few minutes, we will try to give them a break."
Mike Cook, manager of I Love N.Y. Pizza, feels that booting will do a better job of getting across the message, he said.
"It does suck when people leave their cars and they go to school or the go to Swamp restaurant," he said.
However, some business people in the area see downsides to the policy.
Geyzer Salgado, manager of Fritanga Latin Grill, opposes booting.
He feels that Parking Solutions is taking business away from him when there are booted cars in the lot versus removing the illegally parked cars in front of his business, he said.
Parking Solutions doesn't notify people when they are illegally parked. The car can sit there for 2 to 4 hours and possibly turn away customers, Salgado said.
Filup Molina, manager of How I Got An A, said he thinks that people just don't know what businesses go to what parking lot, and people think they can park here to go to any midtown business.
"It's a bad way to treat customers who do want to come to our business," he said "It's the classic power trip situation."
Ultimately, Witesides feels that he is doing college students a favor, he said.
"Everywhere is a parking problem, towing is needed, if you can get away with a cheaper deterrent then why not help the kids out a little bit," Witesides said.
