![]() residents to outsource yet another mundane chore. But Jackson is also counting on the willingness of busy, well-off D.C. ![]() There have always been entrepreneurs-from post-pothole realignment specialists to private warrant servers-ready to make a buck off the inefficiency of District government. (Service fees range from $1.50 for a parking ticket to $40 for a boot.) Jackson, in turn, walks company cash for the fines down to the DMV’s K Street Service Center, which is conveniently located just around the corner from the Parking Tickets ‘R’ Us office. Busy Washingtonians terrified by local lore about long lines and surly staffers can call Jackson’s office, give their driver’s license and registration numbers, and use their credit cards to pay for anything from red-light violations and parking tickets to renewing licenses and tags. In mid-March, Jackson launched a business to make some loot off the boot.įor a $40 fee, Jackson says, Parking Tickets ‘R’ Us will free vehicles from their chains and customers from having to go down to the Department of Motor Vehicles to pay fines. That year, 22,402 cars were booted and 15,069 were towed, according to Department of Public Works spokesperson Linda Grant. These unbooting and towing fees added an extra $1.8 million to the city’s coffers in 1998. Instead of simply writing yet another ticket, DMV parking-enforcement booters clamp the ugly steel contraption on a wheel, where the orange eyesore will remain until the car’s owner pays the outstanding fines-plus an unbooting fee. Illegally parked vehicles are booted if their owner has two or more outstanding unpaid parking tickets. He jumps back into the Jeep and begins the search anew. “Everything’s based on timing in this business,” he adds. “Parking Enforcement arrived here at 8:17 this morning.” He places a Parking Tickets ‘R’ Us flier under the Nissan’s windshield wiper. “We’re way behind,” Jackson says, examining the car’s ticket and shaking his head. He stops, hops out, and carefully writes down the license plate number of a jet-black Nissan Altima. One minute and 32 seconds into the drive, Jackson spots his quarry. Passing the corner of 2nd and D Streets, the founder of Parking Tickets ‘R’ Us revs his red Jeep toward Constitution Avenue in search of booted cars. when Jerry Jackson leaves his 2nd Street NE office to head out on the trail of the parking-enforcement booters. A new luxury-services firm will take your place in line at the Department of Motor Vehicles-for a fee.
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