Cedar Rapids promises to tow parking scofflaws

Pay those parking tickets, or lose your ride, Cedar Rapids officials say.

The city will begin towing vehicles in the downtown area next Monday, Nov. 30, if the owner has five or more unpaid parking citations and the car is parked on a city street or in a city-owned parking lot or parkade.

The measure is being taken "to improve management of the city's downtown parking spaces and to provide the spaces needed for shoppers and visitors to downtown," city officials said in a news release Tuesday.

The vehicles towed and impounded can be reclaimed once all citations and late fees are paid, city officials said. A $45 towing charge will also be assessed, and more fees may be incurred if the vehicle isn't reclaimed within 24 hours.

Vehicle owners subject to the towing and impoundment have been notified by mail of the pending action, officials asid.