Residents angry over towing and tickets

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (WTNH) -- Bridgeport came under fire for its snow removal response following the blizzard. Now it's facing even more heat.

It centers around just how much the state's biggest city is raking in, in parking and towing fees after that big storm.

About 400 cars were ticketed and towed in Bridgeport during the blizzard.

"We were fielding calls all night that vehicles were just being left in the intersections," said Sgt. Paul Grech, Bridgeport Police. "Plows couldn't go through, emergency vehicles couldn't go through, so we had to remove the vehicles for peoples' safety."

Most were towed to the parking lot at Central High School, and two weeks later a good number remain. Each car owner was issued a $75 ticket and then there's the tow fee.

"The basic tow fee is $110, but there could be additional tow fees if they had to dig the vehicle out or needed a flat bed to tow the vehicle," said Sgt. Grech, "it's all state regulated."

The CT Post estimates there were $74,000 worth of parking and towing tickets issued to city residents. News 8 asked Sgt. Grech what he thinks about that number.

"Do you think that number is about right," asked News 8's Ali Reed.

"I'm not sure you have to do the math, but we did tow nearly 400 vehicles," said Sgt. Grech.

News 8 talked to one woman picking up her car Thursday who says she had to cough up $340 for it.

"It was a lot of snow. and then the police picked up the car," said July Castro. "And now I have to pay $340, it's a lot of money no?"

City residents voiced their frustrations at Tuesday's city council meeting.

"You got your tow trucks out there, but didn't show up with your snow trucks," one Bridgeport resident said.

However, the city says it gave residents fair warning and that they can always appeal the tickets.

"We went above and beyond trying to notify everyone to move their vehicles," Sgt. Grech said.

He says officers went door-to-door to let people know their cars are in the lot.

School starts Monday, so all the cars need to go. Starting Friday tow companies will come and get the cars and bring them to their own lots. That's when car owners will start incurring storage fees, which could come out to about $24 a day.