Errant 18-Wheeler Trailer-Truck Gets The Boot

Eighteen-wheeler trailer-truck has been parked on Paerdegat Avenue North for weeks, therefore police and Department of Transportation gave one of its wheels “the boot” (right).

In conjunction with the city’s Department of Transportation (DOT), the 69th Precinct last week gave a huge trailer truck that had been parked — and apparently abandoned — on Paerdegat Avenue North for weeks — the boot.

No, they didn’t kick it off the street, they just attached a device — called a “boot,” — that immobilizes one of the wheels on the huge 18-wheeler, making it immovable until the owner pays the city tremendous fines for traffic offenses ranging from parking on the wrong side of the street to ignoring traffic summonses.

Precinct spokesman Sergeant Joel Dickerman said booting the truck was in response to complaints by neighborhood residents who live on Paerdegat 3, which is adjacent to where the truck is located.

“They didn’t mind too much at first,” said Dickerman. “Seeing a truck park there for even a few days didn’t bother them too much. But when it came to be a matter of weeks, they started to get aggravated and called us and the DOT.” He said just to have the boot removed will cost the owner “hundreds of dollars.”

“And if the owner doesn’t claim it and it has to be towed and brought to the pound, it could cost thousands,” he added. Officials from the DOT have tried to contact the owner but he hasn’t replied. The truck has a rear license plate from Maine.

Charles Rogers