Cars that have been booted on city streets will have to be towed within 72 hours under new legislation that’s expected to be introduced in the City Council later this week.
The bill, which is being proposed by City Councilman Shaun Abreu (D-Manhattan), would require the city to remove booted vehicles from the street 72 hours after the city becomes aware of them.
Abreu told the Daily News his proposal comes in response to an outpouring of complaints from residents of his Upper West Side, Harlem and Washington Heights district who view the cars as an eyesore and inconvenience. In some cases, the parked cars can even become havens for rats.
“Derelict vehicles are often abandoned for weeks before they are removed, blighting our roadways and attracting rats and other vermin. People are tired of seeing booted cars everywhere they turn,” Abreu said. “We can and must be more efficient in getting these neglected vehicles off of our streets. The legislation I am introducing is a relief for our residents who walk past these vehicles day in and day out without any action from the city.”
The removals would also free up parking spots, which have become more coveted than ever with the spread of outdoor dining on city streets and Citibike stations.
If approved by the Council and Mayor Adams, the bill would take effect 120 days after being signed into law. A spokesman for the mayor said the administration would review the bill once it’s introduced.
Under the bill, removal responsibilities would be divided between two city agencies: the NYPD and Sanitation Department.
Registered vehicles would fall under the purview of the Police Department, which would be responsible for notifying the owner, towing the car and storing it. Unregistered vehicles would fall to the Sanitation Department, which would tow and then dispose of them.
It’s not entirely clear if any fines will be attached to the bill yet, but the fees associated with removing a boot, towing, storage and the initial parking tickets are costly.
Boot removal runs $185, storage fees are $20 per night and a “regular” tow fee for cars is $185. The tow fee for larger vehicles can run up to $370.
“It’s going to cost you a lot,” said Jalissa Quigley, Abreu’s deputy chief of staff.
