Police Threaten to Tow Away Parking Violators' Automobiles

Cambridge police are out to find and tow away automobiles belonging to habitual parking offenders at the College and Radcliffe, Acting Chief Patrick F. McCarthy announced yesterday.

McCarthy said his men are only after those violators who have ignored five or more parking tags, although there are 100 cars in the Square whose owners have ignored at least two tags. One motorist has not heeded 11 tickets, he stated.

Five cars were towed away on Tuesday, and six on Wednesday.

McCarthy denied charges made last fall that automobiles towed away were often damaged in the process, pointing out that towing mechanics take precautions to prevent this. The cost of having one's car removed varies from $3 to $7, depending on conditions. The Chief added that in New York such an operation might cost the motorist as much as $15.

The law authorizing police to tow away "guilty" automobiles applies only to out-of-state cars because summons can be sent to owners of Massachusetts' cars at their homes.

McCarthy explained that the Department is publicizing its campaign in order that violators may have a chance to turn in tickets before automobiles are removed. He added, however, that more than ten cars have already been towed away, and few tags have come in.

This situation shows that the parking offenders feel "they're getting away with it pretty well," McCarthy remarked. He warned, however, that several of his men are in the Square each day looking for "wanted" cars.