New ‘snitching’ law banishes annoying parking punishment that ‘preys on drivers’ – ‘4-min’ enforcement is now over ...Middle East

A NEW law takes aim at one of the most hated parking punishments – boots placed on cars.

The so-called “snitching” crackdown will save drivers money – and it also banishes kickbacks for property owners who got cash for helping companies target vehicles.

Governor Brian Kemp signed the bill into law on Wednesday, bringing strict new rules to Georgia’s vehicle booting industry.

Drivers in Metro Atlanta have long complained about being hit with boots in as little as four minutes after stepping away from their cars.

Democratic State Senator Josh McLaurin who added the booting regulations to House Bill 551, said the law is a needed first step but warned that drivers may still face aggressive tactics.

“My hope is that with regulation, it won’t be done in a way it’s currently being done, which is oftentimes to cars that are not even in violation in the first place,” he told NPR and PBS affiliate WABE.

Under the new law, booting companies must have a permit from the Georgia Department of Public Safety.

They’re also only allowed to operate in areas where local governments have passed ordinances permitting booting.

Property owners can no longer get paid by booting companies in exchange for access to their lots.

That kickback system is now banned statewide.

Clear signs will also be required on private lots showing the full legal names of both the property owner and the booting company, the cost to remove the boot, and a phone number to call.

The law limits how much companies can charge, with rates now set by the Department of Public Safety instead of local authorities

“Obviously, there’s more work to be done,” McLaurin said.

One major provision that would have banned monitoring entirely was stripped out before the bill passed.

“You go out to eat or go out for a concert or something or you just go to a store, four minutes later you come back to a boot on your car,” he told Fox local affiliate WNYW.

Despite the loss, he said the bill gives the state tools to hold companies accountable.

What to do if a car is parked illegally in your neighborhood?

Here are best practices if drivers find illegally parked car in their neighborhood:

“This bill would put booting companies at the same space as the towing companies are.”

“DPS would have the ability to set reasonable rates or take away license of companies that are acting out of line,” he said.

He warned that if booting companies keep preying on drivers, he’ll push for more change.

Booting company reps pushed back hard during hearings.

“If you take that away there’s gonna be chaos,” said Dan Schafstall of Executive Parking Services.

“There’s got to be a better way than just killing it and not letting them patrol.”

Parking consultant David Moore dismissed complaints, saying, “Boots are reversible, booters should be allowed to patrol and it really is not an issue.”

The bill now returns to the Senate for a final vote before heading to Kemp’s desk.

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