Unpaid Parking Tickets Lead to Impounded Cars

Dozens of cars have been impounded or towed in Dormont in the past few months, and Dormont police say it’s a headache that could be cured if parking tickets were paid on time.

A total of 61 cars have been impounded—which in this case means secured with a boot—or towed since May, specifically as a consequence of unpaid parking tickets.

. Borough ordinance states that a vehicle can be booted after it sits for 24 hours with no response. It can then be towed, which ads an additional $100 fee to the parking ticket.

Officer Don Kelly said after a car is booted, it is typically left on the street, unless it’s sitting in an area where it could cause a dangerous situation. He said the car is towed if the boot has been on the car for several days and the tickets still are not paid.

“The fees can be costly,” Kelly said. “We try to give people a reasonable amount of time to get the money together before we tow it away.”

Kelly said having impounded cars on the street does not usually affect the ability of emergency vehicles to pass by, but it does create problems for neighbors who need the parking spaces, or have unwanted vehicles parked near their homes.

Kelly said residents are encouraged to pay parking tickets on time to avoid this situation. Those with questions can contact the Dormont police station at 412-561-8900, ext. 300.

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