Vehicle Towing Has Been Lighter Than Expected Ahead Of Papal Visit
By Pat Loeb
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Vehicle towing has been lighter than expected as Center City gets ready for the Pope's visit. The Parking Authority was prepared to tow 1,500 vehicles from inside the secure perimeter, but so far they've been pleasantly surprised.
It appears the warnings, the fliers, the early posting of no-parking signs has paid off.
"Over 90 percent of the spaces that need to be cleared are either cleared of vehicles or the people have gotten the resident placards that were offered by the parking authority that extends the time they're permitted to stay on the street," explained Rick Dickson.
Dickson, the Deputy Director of the Parking Authority, says they have had to relocate just 286 vehicles. All but 29 have already been reclaimed.
Now, Dickson says the number is likely to go up.
"There's another series of streets that need to be cleared, some of the emergency routes and we will continue to clear these areas until the secure vehicle perimeter goes into effect."
That's Thursday night through Friday morning. Any car towed after that will go to an impound lot and be charged a towing fee.