What You Should Know: Parking Booting

In an effort to collect unpaid parking tickets, the City of Syracuse has contracted with New Jersey-based PayLock IPT to provide field collections services that combine License Plate Recognition (LPR) technology, an electronic self-releasing booting device, and 24/7 Help Center services.  

This program will identify vehicles that have outstanding tickets by scanning license plates and comparing them against the City's parking scofflaw database, as well as the Police Department's stolen vehicle file. When a vehicle on the street is matched against these lists, an audio alert is provided to the operator of the camera system.

A “SmartBoot” will be applied to those vehicles that are eligible, making it impossible for the vehicle to be moved. This immobilization device has a unique locking mechanism that can be opened by the driver after payment is made, with the authorized combination.

What to Know about SmartBoot?

To make payment easy, Paylock provides toll-free access to Help Center staff 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Help Center operators walk the customer through payment options, boot removal steps, and directions to the return locations at City Hall or the Public Safety Building where a receipt can be obtained between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Payment by phone can be made by calling 877-850-0473 using various means including American Express, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Check-by-phone, savings account-by-phone, or by any other electronic means.

Cash payments are accepted at the Parking Violations Bureau window (233 East Washington St., City Hall Room 116, Syracuse, NY 13202 ) between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Assistance will be provided to those drivers who are handicapped and need assistance removing the boot. If a violator fails to return the SmartBoot within 24 hours they incur a $25.00 per day late fee, up to $500.00.

Avoid a Boot

Any vehicle that has 3 or more parking violations (tickets) unpaid or unsatisfied for more than 90 days may be immobilized and or impounded. This booting program targets only those who have accumulated three or more outstanding tickets.