Sep 17, 2008 11:01 pm US/Central
Worker Shot While Booting Car, Motorists React
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
It's a dangerous job. Just two days ago a city worker was shot while putting a Denver boot on someone's car. Now, the city is trying to step up safety and still catch scofflaws.
CBS 2's Suzanne Le Mignot reports that workers wear bullet proof vests. Security cameras are on vans too. The Department of Revenue is open to reviewing the safety measures that are in place. Meantime, the person responsible for shooting the worker, who is recovering tonight, remains at large. The incident has left many motorists stunned.
"I've had that happen before, but you know, I was mad and yelling at the guy. I thought it wasn't my fault," said Doug Baum, motorist.
Baum says he's been among the motorists that haven't been too happy after getting a boot on their car.
"There wasn't anything I could do. Just pay your tickets. It wasn't a ticket, I parked illegally. But, I don't know, hurting someone like that is never a good idea," Baum said.
Baum is referring to the Department of Revenue booter who was shot on the Southeast side by a motorist yesterday. The worker was in the process of booting the driver's car.
The booter is still in the hospital recovering. In response to the shooting, a spokesperson for the Department of Revenue issued a statement, which says in part:
"We wish our fellow employee a complete and rapid recovery, and hope that some good can come out of this incident. We hope it raises awareness that booters and other enforcement staff are simply doing what is often a difficult job on behalf of Chicago's taxpayers."
"I think it's completely irrational to shoot someone for your own wrongdoing," said Emily Diss, motorist.
If you get three or more tickets that remain unpaid on a car registered to you, a boot is in your future. Mayor Daley says there is a simple way to avoid that.
"Pay your ticket and that's it," Mayor Daley said. "Pay it. Why should we have booters going all around?"
Motorist Frank Louis agrees.
"Never had the boot. Glad I haven't, because I could imagine it would be a pain to get off," Louis said. "It would also mean I'd be owing a significant amount of money to the city."
The Department of Revenue offers payment plans, even for people who have just one ticket.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
The Tattooed Ladies of Hollywood
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
