Bridgeport to vote on vehicle boot program

Bridgeport officials are expected to vote Wednesday on the city's controversial vehicle boot program. Right now, Bridgeport can boot a resident's car if they owe $100 in back car taxes or parking tickets

News 12 Staff

Aug 26, 2015, 2:39 AM

Updated 3,330 days ago

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Bridgeport officials are expected to vote Wednesday on the city's controversial vehicle boot program.
Right now, Bridgeport can boot a resident's car if they owe $100 in back car taxes or parking tickets to the city. The residents who owe taxes have to pay what they owe plus a $95 fee to the contractor who booted their car. If the vehicle owner cannot pay the fee, towing companies can sell their vehicle.
A new proposal would mean that car owners would not be booted unless they owe the city at least $200. The city would also have to first send a certified warning letter.
City Councilwoman Eneida Martinez and other officials claim the city's private contractor is targeting low-income and minority neighborhoods.
The proposed changes come amid an ongoing investigation into how Bridgeport tows booted cars and then sells them. In June, a former state marshal was charged in the case.
A City Council committee expects to vote on the matter Wednesday at 6 p.m. at City Hall.