Computer error sends false warning letters to Park Cedar Rapids customers

CEDAR RAPIDS — A computer error mistakenly sent notices to Park Cedar Rapids customers notifying them their vehicles could be towed, booted or impounded.

The mistake was caused by a “coding error” in the computer system of an out-of-state, third-party mailing contractor, according to a news release from ParkCR, which works with the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance to manage the downtown Cedar Rapids parking system.

The notices were sent to “thousands” of vehicle owners in cities across the country.

“We started getting customer calls on Monday and had to figure out what had gone wrong,” said Jon Rouse, general manager of the parking system in downtown Cedar Rapids. “We finally got notice from the national contractor about what had happened.”

The mailings went to people who have overdue parking tickets, and Rouse, in the news release, encouraged vehicle owners to pay their fines. ParkCR only impounds vehicles after someone “has an excessive amount of long delinquent fines,” the release states.

“We certainly apologize to all of our customers for the concern this may have caused, and we want to reiterate that we are NOT in the process of towing any vehicles,” Rouse said in the release.

Anyone with questions or concerns is encouraged to contact local parking officials at 319-365-7275.