Parking Tickets, Boots, and Impound Fees on 'Parking Wars' TV Show

Parking Wars was a reality TV program on the A&E channel. It chronicled an average workday of parking meter women and men ticketing people, tow truck drivers and those who put boots on cars. It also covered the vehicle impound department where parking tickets had to be paid after a vehicle was towed. The show was seen from the perspective of the city employees and the people, trials and tribulations they face while doing their job.

The show was a quick ratings success when it began in 2008. It went 7 seasons, until 2012. It was a popular show. The show started in Philadelphia, and more cities were added. The other cities covered by the show were Detroit, Providence, and Philadelphia.

How They Got Booted and Towed

Meter people issued tickets for street and parking violations, including expired parking meters. A boot eligible vehicle would have usually three or more unpaid tickets on record. If parking tickets were not paid a large, bright yellow boot, or wheel clamp, was placed over the front driver’s wheel. This was to keep the vehicle owner from moving the car until the tickets were paid in full. If the outstanding tickets were not paid by the end of the day, the vehicle was towed and impounded in the city lot. If not claimed within 30 days, the vehicle would be sold at a city auction.

Many people were shocked when they got a boot. On several shows, a car owner bought their vehicle from someone else with outstanding parking tickets on it. The new owner kept the former owner’s license plates.

The new owner was shocked and felt violated that he or she was required to pay the former owner’s tickets to get their car back. Others knew they owed tickets, but tried to get away with it by not paying their tickets as long as they were able to get away with it. Vehicle owners played a “Catch me if you can” game with the boot installers. Some owners successfully drove away even after the boot was put on their vehicle!

Disrespect for City Vehicle Violation Workers

Angry violators liked to tear up the parking ticket in front of the meter man and the TV camera. People drove by and screamed, “Get a real job!”, or “You suck!”, or “The Parking Authority is full of s#*%” at the meter men and women. To their credit, the meter people would take their verbal attacks in stride.

The women were called the b-word on a regular basis. Some violators tried to intimidate the meter man by storming into his personal space and swearing. Many confronted the meter person and argued or begged for the ticket to be cancelled. Some women tried to sweet talk their way out of a ticket.

Tickets in the years 2008-2012 were usually $31 to $76, depending on the offense, less if they paid within ten days. I shudder to think what the fees are now, in 2024.

This was and is a tough job. Like the police, the city workers took a lot of guff without responding in kind. They rarely got a smile or a compliment. As Phil in Philadelphia said, “I’m not ticketing the person; I’m ticketing the car.” For the record, meter people do not have a daily ticket quota or get a percentage of ticket money collected.

Typical Booters.

“Garfield” was a booter in Philadelphia and a 25-year enforcement employee for the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA). He is most likely retired now. Back then, he calmly went about his daily work. His partner Sherry, also a low-key person, used a computer which tracked the license plates on vehicles and showed who owed several unpaid parking tickets or had moving violations.

They were good booter partners. Both were diligent in installing boots but showed sincere sympathy when necessary. They rarely listened to sob stories but would help first time booties reclaim their vehicles.

Even large trucks got the boot. The trick for all city boot installers was to get the boot on before the owner could run out in the street to stop them.

The impound lots were a little better in that there is a plastic window between the city employees and the car owners. This is where one has to pay in full to get their car out of the city lot. Hundreds of dollars are collected daily from unpaid boot and tow tickets. Yolanda, the Philadelphia impound lot supervisor did a good job of keeping the flow of customers from getting clogged down.

Must Have Enough Money to Get Your Car Out of Impound

Regardless of where they lived, vehicle owners had to have lots of money and their papers in good order if they wanted their cars back from Impound. On Parking Wars, drivers could not retrieve their cars unless they paid all outstanding fees and tickets; had a valid driver’s license and written and current proof of paid vehicle insurance. Some violators owed thousands of dollars.

Vehicle Compliance Workers Liked Their Jobs

Overall, the employees who participated in the show seemed to love their jobs. There were many meter maids and men in the show with positive attitudes, who took their difficult job in stride and with a sense of humor. Some of the meter enforcement people seemed to get a kick or a thrill giving out tickets. Rodney in Detroit said in one episode that he got an adrenalin rush while trolling the streets for boot eligible vehicles.

On the show, veteran ticketers knew where habitual offenders usually parked. The car owners also seemed to enjoy a cat-and-mouse game with the meter person. Can he illegally park and get his daily cup of coffee before the meter person shows up?

Taking Care of Business

Other employees saw their job as taking take of business for the city. Those like Deandre, aka “Ponytail” the meter man in Detroit, meter ticketers Brian, Marlene aka “Hair Spray”, and Pauly D in Philadelphia, Sonja the booter in Detroit, and Johnny Tickets in Providence, all seriously monitored the streets from illegal parkers. They were conscientious, willing to explain why a ticket was served, and had some of those in the community understand they were just doing their job.

Show Gave Cities a Bad Name

The Parking Wars series was not all Paradise There were those who were not happy with the series' coverage of their beloved city. Citizens said the show gave the city in question a bad name. With so many episodes dedicated to giving out tickets, boots and tow rides, who would want to visit?

After a city government received many calls and emails from citizens saying the show sent the wrong message, the series' creators had to respond. So, one year Philadelphia was removed from the series.

The series outlined issues that were and are probably similar in every city. The series showed that vehicle owners have many responsibilities.

Here are several recurrent problems from the Parking Wars show that teach people with cars still have with the parking enforcement system.

• Don’t expect any mercy from a meter maid or boot person if you are illegally parked and you are not in your car.

• When you buy a car, don’t keep the license plates that come with the car. Especially if you buy a car from a family member or friend. Turn in the old license plates and get new ones!

• In a high-ticketed location, there is no such thing as “I was only inside for a minute.” If you are illegally parked, you will get a ticket or a boot.

• If your mechanic illegally parks your car on the street, or if it’s boot eligible, you will still get a ticket or get towed away.

• Do not park your vehicle on the sidewalk, ever!

• Jumping in the car will not prevent you from getting a boot or towed.

• Always carry your driver’s license, registration and current insurance papers on your person.

• If there are two handicapped people with vehicles who live in the same building, you will only get one handicapped sign in front of your house.

• Know the difference between No Parking and No Standing

• Parking in a handicapped space will get you a very expensive ticket. A minimum of $100

• Feed the meter on time. Know which meter belongs to your car. Do not park between meters.

• Pay your tickets on time!

Parking Wars Show highlighted the good, the bad, and the reality about parking in a major city in the United States The guilty pleasure was watching others' deal with their parking issues from the comfort and safety of one’s own home.