New Haven Independent

Posted by: jeffreykerekes | April 30, 2008 6:55 AM

I am glad the city is taking steps to address this issue. Perhaps as a de-escalation technique, you could have a way to process credit cards on the spot to pay the bill.

Has Rev. Kimber paid his bills yet? What happens to tow companies and marshalls after they sign this document of understanding and still don't comply? Will there be consequences for misbehavior now when obviously repeated misbehavior in official capacity is allowed, when specific instructions to tow a vehicle with confirmation on outstanding taxes is made?

Posted by: cedarhillresident | April 30, 2008 8:19 AM

I hope at today's press conference more than a slap on the hand happens! The marshal was in the wrong and needs to go. The Rev. need to pay what he owes and then some.
I just don't get it. There are rules in place, and because they were caught braking them, they are getting a free ride...because they did not understand them?? Is that what they are saying? Please...No do overs!

Posted by: Bishop Baloney | April 30, 2008 9:06 AM

The city has just done the de-escalation technique on us all. Suspension of towing program, retraining, then a quiet resumtion. Give it a year and it will be back to normal with tjhe same folks taking their cut. This would not have been an issue if Bass had got his car cheap at the auction.

Posted by: Your Tax Dollars at Work | April 30, 2008 11:16 AM

As suggested earlier by this correspondent, the City should look into taking over the whole slimy towing operation! Using police officers to drive about 3 tow trucks would eliminate the need for marshalls. The City would get the profits from operating the towing business or it could pass on the "savings" to "consumers."

New Haven cannot be the only place where this problem exists. Has there been any study on how other municipalities deal with it? All one has to do is get on the phone, the web, and perhaps make a few site visits. Instead of hiring multi-thousand-dollar consultants, get some summer intern to do the work and write the report. Maybe we could also find out what the present system is really costing our citizens.

Posted by: In The Hood | April 30, 2008 12:37 PM

Thanks to the New Haven Independent this outrageous program and it's subsidiaries are being examined. Now what about some training for the tax office in customer service and citizen respect.

Posted by: cedarhillresident | April 30, 2008 12:45 PM

Your Tax Dollars at Work
I might work but... How much do tow trucks cost.... Where would we store the cars'? We would need to have a staff in place to handle the paperwork. But we would get the profits from the auctions of the unclaimed vehicles be able to charge the fees maybe even cheaper fees than the towing companys. Hmmm

Posted by: Cheri | April 30, 2008 12:48 PM

I seem to agree with "Your Tax Dollars at Work." Is there any data on what the city will have to spend to recover the money that it currently fails to get from these folks?
New Haven cannot seem to afford a new "policy" on ANYTHING if there isn't very convincing evidence that it will be very effective.

Posted by: king james V | April 30, 2008 2:30 PM

Paul, you and your staff have done a fine job and followed up nicely. Now can i ask are you ever going to dive back into westville's voting scandal and what have become of former parking czar and also destefano connected croy Brian Mcgrath's so called investigation?

Posted by: facChek | April 30, 2008 2:39 PM

The city is instituting another layer of beauracy
by instituting a grievance procedure, through the Police Commission, for appeals of towing practices and charges.
This action is suppose to be a cure for a problem which occurred because of insubordination by Criscuolo. The remedy should have been dismissal.
This farce is a over reaching over reaction by the administration who failed to implement the current policy.
Call it political hokus-pocus and smoked out mirrors.

Pay up Kimber!!

Posted by: cedarhillresident | April 30, 2008 3:44 PM

facChek

Yeah did the Rev pay??

Posted by: robn | April 30, 2008 4:41 PM

This is a great idea. Eliminate towing as much as possible.

My friends have had their vehicles damaged by towing and some have had articles stolen out of their trunks. The claw is a fair way to to resolve an infraction, doesn't involve wasted energy dragging a 2000 pound object miles out to a tow yard, and allows the violator reasonable access to their vehicle after paying up (how many times have NHI readers had to drive a friend out to a tow yard?)

Posted by: Your Tax Dollars at Work | April 30, 2008 7:51 PM

My GUESS is the tow trucks would cost about $300,000 per year including amortization and maintenance. Personnel cost should be about another $300,000. Administration: $50,000. Very rough guestimate of total cost:$650,000. You'd probably have to tow an average of 10-12 vehicles per day to break even. Plus the towing service would be available for other police work, e.g. clearing accidents, etc. No marshall service would be needed because sworn police officers operating the tow trucks could serve papers, so if needed, the City could collect the marshall's fee.

Storage? Does the City own any suitable vacant land?

Posted by: East Rockette | April 30, 2008 8:54 PM

how many times have NHI readers had to drive a friend out to a tow yard?

Or had to walk to the tow yard, after discovering our car had been towed from outside our house during an unannounced Snow Emergency. Our only vehicle, no friends in town, taxi never showed. Nice. Luckily one of us could stay home with the kids so we didn't all have to troop through the snow and pay $50 for the privilege.

I can't help thinking it should be illegal to tow cars with child seats in them. (Of course then everyone would get a car seat, but hey).

Posted by: Gary Doyens | April 30, 2008 9:30 PM

SENSITIVITY TRAINING????? ha..add the mayor's name to the list of those sitting in a circle holding hands. That's rich.

Posted by: realdeal | May 1, 2008 6:53 AM

Criscoulo should be banned from doing city work because he violated the very oath he chose to upkeep as a marshall by determining the law does not apply to a good political friend of the Mayor.
However the Mayor would then lose one of his greateast fundraisers. This diversionary technic of schooling for the marshalls may seem to work in salvaging or preserving the mayors great fundraiser but what about the damage done to the democratic party of New Haven. The administration should not be so self centered on the issue. They should banish Mr. Criscoulo to protect the Democratic party. Just as was done in North Haven.
Alderman, and the state delegation will now become easier targets of the Republican party because of this self centered behavior. Thats wrong.

Posted by: Chris Gray | May 2, 2008 2:36 AM

Hey, Realdeal, are you kidding, New Haven alders and its state delegation becoming "easier targets for the Republican Party"?

They've been easy targets my whole lifetime, but Republicans have managed few and far between challenges. The lock Democrats have had on city politics for decades has led to an arrogance that has no real shame.

This dog and pony show is just meant to mollify Paul, NHI readers and the few who have followed the tv coverage with anything more than bored disinterest. The minute Bass gives up on the coverage; it will back to business as usual.

As it is, the coverage hasn't resulted in any significant change, just window dressing.

Posted by: Charlie | May 2, 2008 12:14 PM

Poor Mike Piscitelli. He's a decent human being trying to do a professional job in an environment where professionalism is the last thing anyone cares about. He must feel like a fish swimming in a shark tank.

Posted by: Charlie | May 2, 2008 12:14 PM

I feel bad for Mike Piscitelli. He's a decent human being trying to do a professional job in an environment where professionalism is the last thing anyone cares about. He must feel like a fish swimming in a shark tank.