Last Updated on March 31, 2016 by Lawrence Berezin
Increase in revenue from parking tickets, tow and boot fines is astonishing
One of my all-time favorite quotes is, “In G-d we trust. All others bring data” –William Edwards Deming. So, I’ve lugged along a barrel full of data about the revenue NYC collected from parking ticket fines, and tow and boot fines.
Fines are imposed to deter unwanted activities and protect the safety, health and well-being of residents. The City imposes fines for violations of various City rules, including regulations related to parking, building codes, consumer affairs, and public health. By far the largest category of fines is parking violations, raising $565 million in FY 2015. For example, the base penalty for parking at an expired meter is $65, while parking too close to a fire hydrant could earn a $115 ticket. Many fines require enabling legislation.”
Let us take a closer look at the sizable revenue bonanza from parking ticket, tow and boot fines
-New York City collected $957 million in fine revenues in FY 2015. More than 59 percent, $565 million of the $957 million, came from parking tickets
-Since FY 2012, parking ticket revenues have increased by 10.3 percent from $513 million to $565 million[Tweet “Since FY 2012, parking ticket revenues have increased by 10.3% from $513M to $565M”]
-In 2012, the City began booting vehicles with more than $350 in unpaid tickets. The boot device is placed on a wheel and prevents the car from moving. The program began with a pilot and was expanded in FY 2014.
-In FY 2015, the City collected $17 million in boot fees, an increase of 14.0 percent from $15 million in FY 2014. Towing fees have been stable, generating $23 million in FY 2015. Combined, parking tickets and booting and towing fees generated $606 million in FY 2015, a 13.1 percent increase from $536 million in FY 2012 (see Figure 3)[Tweet “Parking ticket, boot and tow fees generated $606M in FY 2015, a 13.1% increase from $536M in 2012”]
-The next largest sources of fine revenues are red light, bus lane, and speed cameras ($77 million)
(Source: NYC Budget Brief)
A picture is worth $565M
Commentary
Just when you thought it might be safe to park in NYC. What’s worse is getting an unjust parking ticket and paying it “no questions asked.”
There is been some talk about a decrease in the actual number of parking tickets issued. Maybe, but the amount of parking ticket fines have significantly increased. By that I mean, the warriors and cops are paying more attention to the big-ticket parking fines. And, they are still issuing the shock and awe scam pedestrian ramp tickets ($160).
I heartily recommend preventive parking.
-If you can’t figure out if a parking space is safe, keep going.
-If you see more than one parking sign on a gotcha pole, remember the stricter rule trumps the less strict rule (no parking anytime trumps no parking 7A-4P if the arrows on both signs point to your parking space)
Here are a couple more interesting factoids:
Hello!
Help! Can someone please give me some insight! I received a muni meter expired ticket on Tuesday in Manhattan. I paid the meter went into a nearby business, upon leaving the building I used the restroom. To my surprise, the key slipped out of my pocket, fell into the toilet and the toilet automatically flushed!!!! YIKES! Keys were gone. I went back out to the car and had not been ticketed yet nor did I know what I should do. My purse was also inside the car. I hadn’t received any ticket but it’s when I went to sit down and figure out my options, I received the ticket which was about 30-45 mins later.
I called the rental company and of course there was nothing they could do. No spare key! Nothing! They told me I would have to replace the key and that they would call a locksmith. Well, I began to make phone calls also. To make a looonnnggg story short, I called dealerships and there was no way I could get a key until 2-3 days later. There were no keys available due to the newness of the vehicle. After call many locksmiths, I managed to find one who said he would contact a supplier to find the key but he wasn’t sure if one was available. This was around 3pm. He then told me he would find the key but wouldn’t reach my location until after 8;30pm. Of course I waited what other option do I have? Well, $250 dollars and after 9:30 I was back on the road.
I went to see a judge the following day and explained the entire ordeal with proof and receipts. Would you know she still sent back a GUILTY verdict siting that I did not move the car expeditiously! How do you move a disabled car where the keys were flushed and no key promptly available expeditiously? Anyway, any help would be greatly appreciated. I still want to contest this!!!
Kesha,
Yikes is right!
What a nightmare.
Since you already contested the ticket and was found guilty, you have 30 days to appeal.
Your burden of proof is to persuade an appeals panel that the original judge made a mistake of law or fact based upon the evidence you submitted at the original hearing. No new evidence is permitted on appeal.
Good luck.
Regards,
Larry
My son parked his car in Queens to meet a friend for lunch. He checked all the signs on the street and it appeared that he was legally parked. There were other cars up and down the block parked the same way.
When he gets out from lunch he finds a ticket on the window and a boot on the car. The car had absolutely never had a ticket in NYC much less NYS.
Also on the window was a note from the local precinct claiming that he had 2 hours to pay or would be towed.
He had to take an Uber to pay to have the boot removed but not the ticket. He took pictures of everything up and down the block where he eventually found a no parking sign, twisted away from the street and hanging by one bolt.
Seems like NYC is running an end of month scam to balance their books.
Dear Angry Father from another Angry Father…This stuff makes me crazy. A boot and a tow and a 2-hour race to remove it…Why? Other than highway robbery, what’s the point? Thanks for sharing this nightmare scenario. Write your council person…It’s a travesty. Best, Larry