June 17, 2010

By Deirdra Dostou

Councilor Bill Linehan met with South Boston residents last week to discuss “No Tow” program aimed to replace towing with $100 fines   

by Deirdra Dostou

A crowd of over 30 residents met at the Tynan School last Monday to learn more about Councilor Linehan’s proposed legislation that would aim to replace street cleaning related towing with $100 fines.

Linehan explained the current penalties for parking in designated street cleaning spots amount to a total of 150$ which include a preliminary 40$ ticket, 25$ city administrative charges and a 90$ towing charge.  He explained, “85$ of that money goes to private towing companies. They only get one tow out of 4 tickets. That’s only a 25% tow rate and you’re still not getting to the curb to clean the street. It’s not an absolute deterrent and it surely doesn’t clean the streets”. Linehan continued, “We don’t have 100% deterrence because some people get a 40$ ticket and go a whole season without getting towed. If you get a 100$ ticket and every time you get a 100$ ticket it can be a deterrent.”

Linehan continued the majority of the ticket fees go to private towing companies. “With the 100$ ticket the whole 100$ goes back to the city to fund anything, That money can be spent on a while variety of ways. I drafted an ordinance and it allows us in South Boston to have our own zone where there will be no towing. We want to make sure this is valid and that the neighborhood supports it.”

Thomas Tinlin, Commissioner for the Boston Transportation Department was also present to discuss his concerns to the proposed legislation. “I get the toll that it [towing] takes on people. My aunt, a nun, was towed after we attended a funeral service at O’Brien’s. This program was never meant to catch everyone. It was meant to tow cars so street sweepers could do their jobs. It’s hard to stand before you and say this neighborhood should be treated differently.”  Tinlin continued, “I offer that the threat of a tow makes people move. The city is cleaner. You folks know what the city looks like before April 1st. It’s disgusting. It’s not an environment you’re proud of. The threat of a ticket and then a tow seems more of a hammer than a ticket and the streets not getting cleaned. I’m suggesting if that’s not incentive to move a vehicle why would a $100 make a difference?”

Residents were split. Of the attendees who supported the “No Tow” amendment, one resident noted that “South Boston is just being punished because we don’t have driveways”. Many supporting the current towing program insisting the cleanliness in the neighborhood has continued to be noticeable. Others voiced concerns about creating harsher penalties for repeat offenders and designating resident only parking.

Councilor Linehan explained, “Right now we’re taking input. We’re not trying to sell this”.