Galveston Offers Parking Ticket Amnesty Before Booting Begins

In Galveston, drivers who have accumulated multiple unpaid parking tickets may soon face the consequences of having their vehicles booted or towed. This development follows the city leaders' approval of a temporary amnesty program aimed at addressing a significant backlog of delinquent fines.

On Thursday, the Galveston City Council approved a monthlong amnesty period for motorists, enabling them to settle their parking tickets at the original cost, free from any additional penalties or collection fees. Following the conclusion of the program in May, city officials intend to reinstate the enforcement of established ordinances that allow for the immobilization of vehicles belonging to repeat offenders.

District 4 Councilman Alex Porretto addressed concerns from residents, stating, “A lot of the complaints we get are that the city doesn’t enforce ordinances, and parking has been one of the big ones.”

City officials have reported that approximately $6 million in parking fines are still outstanding and remain unpaid. The amnesty program, initially introduced in December by Porretto and District 6 Councilwoman Marie Robb, seeks to provide residents with a last chance to resolve outstanding debts before stricter enforcement measures take effect.

Porretto stated that the amnesty program permits individuals to settle the base amount of their tickets without incurring any additional fees or fines. “The initiative eliminates penalties and collection costs, allowing individuals to settle their overdue parking tickets.”

Deputy City Manager Dan Buckley stated that the authority to immobilize or tow vehicles has been part of the city code for many years, though it has not been enforced until now.

“A parking program cannot be effectively implemented without some form of enforcement,” Buckley stated.

According to the ordinance, a vehicle will be eligible for immobilization only if its tickets remain unpaid for at least 14 days. Vehicles with three or more outstanding citations will be added to a delinquent list and may be subject to enforcement measures.

Following the installation of a boot, vehicle owners are granted a 36-hour period to address any outstanding balances. “Should an individual settle the outstanding balance within the designated timeframe, the vehicle will be returned,” Buckley stated. Failure to comply may result in the vehicle being impounded.

Officials have clarified that the recent crackdown targets habitual offenders, not tourists or drivers who may receive an occasional ticket.

“According to Buckley, this development is unlikely to impact short-term visitors unless they accumulate multiple unpaid tickets.”

City staff is set to present proposed updates to the long-standing ordinance at next month's council meeting. These updates aim to clarify the enforcement provisions regarding vehicles, including the status of golf carts. Buckley announced that the city is currently assessing advanced immobilization technologies.

“This is not about raising revenue,” Buckley stated. Officials emphasize that the objective is to ensure adherence to the existing parking regulations.

District 5 Councilman Beau Rawlins emphasized that consistent follow-through will be crucial moving forward.

Rawlins emphasized the importance of effective marketing and publicizing the program to enhance past collections. He cautioned that it is crucial to maintain this momentum in order to avoid repeating past challenges.