Seen At 11: On The Hunt With The Car-Booting 'Scofflaw Patrol'

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – It's the sight that all drivers dread: a bright yellow boot clamped onto a car tire as punishment for unpaid tickets.

New York has dramatically stepped up its "boot patrol," with a high-tech team going after the worst of the worst scofflaws.

CBS 2's Tony Aiello went for a ride-along with the "Scofflaw Patrol" and said it's a lot like fishing—you go out early to catch the fish. And if you've racked up at least $350 in unpaid tickets, you're a target.

"We do this in order to locate people who are scofflaws and have not paid their parking violations," Peter Sammarco with the New York City Sheriff's Office said.

Aiello rode along in Mobile 2 with a patrol to check out the high-tech tools that have helped the city double the number of cars it boots.

Two-man teams in each borough patrol in vans equipped with special cameras that read license plates. An in-car computer then alerts the patrol when a scofflaw is detected.

As Aiello reported, it's a task that requires patience; but when the Scofflaw Patrol gets a bite, it moves fast. It takes just 90 seconds to confirm the plate number, apply the clamp and sticker the car.

In Aiello's first hour with the patrol, 2,200 plates were scanned and five vehicles were booted, representing $4,000 in unpaid tickets.

"They're not pleased, but they're happy the vehicles are not being towed," Sammarco said.

Instead of towing the vehicles to a lot, drivers of booted cars can be on their way in minutes by calling in a credit card and getting a code to unlock the boot.

A New Jersey company, Paylock, partners with the city on enforcement and collection to make it happen.

"We can break it up into two, three, four credit cards. We've called overseas, third-party calls, looped in parents, brothers, sisters—anyone who wants to help the situation," Paylock's Brian Laudicci said.

And yet, the city says people still try to beat the boot.

"We've actually made a couple arrests for people who have illegally removed the boots," Sammarco said.

Four days a week, the patrols are out fishing, reeling in 150 scofflaws on an average day, CBS 2 reported.

The city booted more than 22,000 cars in the most recent fiscal year.

Before being put on the boot list, drivers are mailed at least five notices regarding unpaid tickets.

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