'Tow and Hold' Order Nets $100,000

Every spring, the city's computer spits out a list of cars with five or more unpaid parking tickets. Every spring, George Teso, the director of Cambridge's traffic department, distributes the list to his men. Every spring hundreds of cars are towed and impounded. And every spring there are lots of happy motorists who suddenly find themselves unhappy pedestrians.

Though the "tow and hold" program has been in effect for the last four years--and though Teso insists enforcement is citywide--Harvard Square drivers, especially students with out of state plates, seem to have been especially hard hit this year. "I went into Store 24 for cupcakes, and when I came out--no more car," one unhappy victim of the hook, said last week.

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"It's always that one month when they start to update the list that the cars really disappear," Teso said yesterday. On April 5, when the new list was released, $50 cars were towed, and the number stayed that large for close to a week, Yesterday, only three cars were impounded for nonpayment of tickets.

"We collect about $100,000 a year; it's an important source of revenue, certainly worth the while," Teso said.

Some motorists, aghast at the size of their bill, never claim their cars. "We got one little VW this year, worth maybe $400 or $500." Teso said. "The guy owes $1100 in parking tickets, and there's no way he'll come pick it up, he added.

But the Cambridge city fathers will not be satisfied with a rusting Volkswagen, Teso cautions. "What people don't understand is that they're still liable for the tickets."

New York City and Washington D.C. already employ collection agencies to track down motorists in arrears, and Teso said Cambridge is currently negotiation with firms for the same service.

In addition, the traffic department is asking state approval for higher fines, and the right to use the "Denver boot" on parked cars, with too many tickets.

The boot, already in use in Boston is a metal wheel lock that makes it impossible for a car to be driven until it is unlocked and removed. And it isn't unlocked and removed until parking tickets are paid off. And until a $25, unlocking and removing fee is paid.

"Right now, the tow companies get the $25. With the boot, it will go right to the city," Teso said happily.