Robbed last night

It there a sign that says, "No Parking?"
Red Hook area has always been very strict about their parking regulations and will boot or tow your vehicles if you park in the wrong location or overstay the time limits posted in locations for parking. Sounds like an expensive Taco!

The parking spaces in front of Fatty's next to Taco Hell? Or the ones in front of the sports fishing club (can't remember the real name of the place)? Those club guys are pretty stingy about their parking spots and it would not surprise me one bit that they employ someone to boot cars that don't "belong" there 24/7 and within minutes. It DOES say that you have to have a permit to park there, after all. I'm sorry your car got booted. Thanks for reminding us that those signs are not just a bluff.

Sounds like an episode of Parking Wars. Sorry you got booted, kinda sounds like you parked where you were not supposed to.

Sounds like an episode of Parking Wars. Sorry you got booted, kinda sounds like you parked where you were not supposed to.

Never seen "Parking Wars" but have heard of it so the comment is funny and appropriate. But you and others are correct. When spots are clearly marked either "no parking" or "parking for customers only" or "parking between the hours of blank to blank only" or any variation thereof, it's pretty clear. I could write a book about parking issues in the many years I operated my restaurant on STT, and all to do with people just blatantly ignoring multiple, big, clear, simply worded signs which left absolutely no room for doubt but which some people felt just didn't apply to them.

Property/business owners don't put up signs just for the heck of it but for good reason (and the signs aren't inexpensive either for the most part). When you park right underneath a sign which specifically says you're not supposed to park in that spot, no point getting ticked off and defensive if you get booted or towed. Your bad. Happens all over the world so, if you want to take the chance, have your wallet ready!

It was the spaces in front of the fishing club and, yes, admittedly there was a sign. But whats the point in enforcing it when the business has been closed for hours? unless the fishing club are just a$$holes or, the guy with the boot saw an easy opportunity to make an easy several hundred dollars a night? If he boots the wrong drunk there will be trouble. Also, if he was not fund raising, he could have said something when I parked instead of sneaking the boot on when I wasn't looking.

It was the spaces in front of the fishing club and, yes, admittedly there was a sign. But ...

No buts. You parked where you were specifically not supposed to park. Just don't do it again. 😀

kinda like stealing when no one is looking?

I've met some of those fishing club peeps which is why I said that it didn't surprise me that they would have someone do that. Maybe if you had spoken to him, letting him know you were going to pick up a taco and go, maybe he would have let you park for that long.

Not only will I not do it again, but the taco hell tacos were really greasy and salty. I needed 3 tums before I could sleep. I'm never spending another dime at taco hell or the east end at night. I'm voting with my dollars. I'm thinking that the sport fishing club types think they are the "superior class" and don't like the "commomers" using their royal parking spaces, even for a minute! Karma is a bi!ch you guys, keep that in mind. You may get it back 3 fold!

congasan,

your not alone in your distaste for parking boot "ambush". Not un-common for guerilla "booters" to lay in wait. If business owners are that concerned about after hours parking why not hire a guard and charge $10 an hour.

Check out these threads from tip advisor. Pretty darn funny, some of "our tourtist centric" business owners spinning intimidation tactic and the parking wars..... Ido feel bad for the unsuspecting tourrist who gets shaken down late at night by some rough looking dude demanding Big $$.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g147410-i935-k2099846-Groceries_in_St_John_Tourist_Safety-Cruz_Bay_St_John_U_S_Virgin_Islands.html

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g147410-i935-k4576921-Another_parking_shakedown_at_the_Dolphin_Market-Cruz_Bay_St_John_U_S_Virgin_Islands.html

i remember when a bunch of people got booted at the stx airport for parking in areas that were clearly marked as loading zones only. i understood why they were upset, they had been parking there for years and years. one day they just decided to boot. no warning. but they were clearly in the wrong parking where they should not.
signs are posted for a reason. just like laws are writen for a reason.

and all that for taco bell-it could have at least been a del taco joint.

Booting in a Marked no parking is one thing if a car was left overnight and the business can't open. But wouldn't you think that if a buisnes wants it's spaces open they would tow the car away? Booting and demanding cash and giving no receipt is another after hours at night. Hiring someone to lay in wait for violators is agressive. If parking is such an issue, why not just hire an attendant to "sell" the spots after hours? Booting may be within a business owners rights--but definetly bad form, especially at night in areas frequented by tourist--and most definiately when perosnell is on site and could simply ask the person to move. . Parking is problem in many areas.

Vistors have a two choices. Pay crazy high taxi rates or rent a car and hunt for parking. As residents, we learn where all the secret spots are. We learn where all frequent crime spots are, too. Visitors are at disadvantage. I think it's shame that in area's which rely so heavily on revenue from tourrist (red hook/cruz bay) that no effort is made to provide adiquate parking.

I simply don't go out at night unless I know for certain that my desitination provides secure parking (i.e. close or patrolled). I'm not about to get jumped walking to my car. I'm sure other will think I'm an idiot for holding the above opinion. Have at it....

Taco Hell tacos are pretty gross.

The signs says 24 hours. They have a reason to do it. It's their space. When the owner of the shopping center next door built the building for what is now Taco Hell it took a way spaces from their center. You can see why the folks next door get upset with overflow parking in their spaces. This whole island is shy of parking spaces no matter where you go. It is also my understanding that there is drug activity that goes on there and the Fishing Club is trying to eliminate that.

It just seems to me like a completely inefficent method of problem solving, which is typical of the "passive agressive" style found here in the VI.
If the owners want to keep the lot clear for cusotmers, then TOW AWAY illegally parked cars.
If the owners want to generate income from the parking spaces, then charge hourly for parking.
Ambush Guerilla Booting is method of extorting revenge and money.
I guess I look at this from a "continetial prospective" of proactive resolution.
I wonder if OP was given a receipt for his $100. Good thing he's a local, because tourrist are charged upwards of $150.
After years of living here, I understand how this works and avoid these types of cultural conflicts. Not so easy for tourrists. Parking Wars are just another example of how cultural's clash in the VI.

1. It just seems to me like a completely inefficent method of problem solving, which is typical of the "passive agressive" style found here in the VI.

2. I wonder if OP was given a receipt for his $100. Good thing he's a local, because tourrist are charged upwards of $150.

3. After years of living here, I understand how this works and avoid these types of cultural conflicts. Not so easy for tourrists. Parking Wars are just another example of how cultural's clash in the VI.

1. The majority of states boot illegally parked vehicles and this is NOT peculiar or special to the USVI.
2. There are numerous booting signs all over the USVI (as there are stateside) and most specifically state the fee involved.
3. It is not a "cultural conflict" nor indicative of anything remotely related to "culture clash".

It just seems to me like a completely inefficent method of problem solving, which is typical of the "passive agressive" style found here in the VI.
If the owners want to keep the lot clear for cusotmers, then TOW AWAY illegally parked cars.
If the owners want to generate income from the parking spaces, then charge hourly for parking.
Ambush Guerilla Booting is method of extorting revenge and money.
I guess I look at this from a "continetial prospective" of proactive resolution.
I wonder if OP was given a receipt for his $100. Good thing he's a local, because tourrist are charged upwards of $150.

I see no fundamental difference between Towing and Booting except that Towing would be more expensive and result in a higher enforcement charge. The bottom line is that the area is private property which was clearly marked as a no parking area. A private property owner is not obligated to provide parking for nearby businesses. As for after hours parking, it is still private property even at night and the owner is still not obligated to provide parking for nearby businesses.

Maybe the owner is not looking to generate revenue by providing paid parking, maybe he is concerned with liability issues or crime issues. It is his private property and it was clearly marked no parking, he has a right to enforce his rules via booting, towing or simply putting warning stickers on the cars. If this causes a problem for Taco Bell customers then it is up to Taco Bell to work with the property owner to come up with a solution. Complain to Taco Bell not to the private property owner.

Booting leaves the car stuck in the space until the driver produces payment. From what I hear, CASH payment is required. If the driver dosen't have cash on hand, they'll go to an ATM/home and retrive the $$. The car remains blocking the parking space.

Towing frees up the spot for other customers.

If the idea is to keep parking availble for customers, then towing makes more sense.

I'm not denying, property owners the right to limit access to their parking. But I do think better alternatives to booting exsist.

If crime is the issue, then I don't see how booting up a gang-banger's get-a-way ride makes the lot safer. Why not simply hire a private security firm instead of tow/boot company?

It's really too bad that more SAFE public parking isn't provided, especially in busy area frequented by torrist (like red hook and cruz bay). Just running a quick errand becomes a n0-win choice between safety and the da boot. Don't you guys have a similar situation with C-sted?

1. The majority of states boot illegally parked vehicles and this is NOT peculiar or special to the USVI.
2. There are numerous booting signs all over the USVI (as there are stateside) and most specifically state the fee involved.
3. It is not a "cultural conflict" nor indicative of anything remotely related to "culture clash".

While "booting" is not unique to the VI, the tactics employed employeed are. For example, state side tow compaies need to be licenced and bonded and the empoyess need to wear easily seen clear idenfication. Tow companies are requred to give receipts and most will except payment methods other than cash. chained parking, parking attendants, or security are not uncommon stateside, even at small mom and pops in urban areas. When visitors come to USVI, I think they can be very shocked at loose regulations relating booting and lack of availble parking (free or paid). What is common here in the VI would be boarderline criminal in the states. (i.e. ramdom, agressive man, with no ID, booting car, demanding cash, refusing to provide a receipt)

Like I said, I support business owners wnating to protect spaces for thier customers, but I just don't see how "lay-in-wait" booting is effective for anything except extracting revenge and quick cash.

Rather than "cluture clash", prehaps "underlying difference in experience, values and ideology" is less offensive?

1. The majority of states boot illegally parked vehicles and this is NOT peculiar or special to the USVI.
2. There are numerous booting signs all over the USVI (as there are stateside) and most specifically state the fee involved.
3. It is not a "cultural conflict" nor indicative of anything remotely related to "culture clash".

While "booting" is not unique to the VI, the tactics employed employeed are. For example, state side tow compaies need to be licenced and bonded and the empoyess need to wear easily seen clear idenfication. Tow companies are requred to give receipts and most will except payment methods other than cash. chained parking, parking attendants, or security are not uncommon stateside, even at small mom and pops in urban areas. When visitors come to USVI, I think they can be very shocked at loose regulations relating booting and lack of availble parking (free or paid). What is common here in the VI would be boarderline criminal in the states. (i.e. ramdom, agressive man, with no ID, booting car, demanding cash, refusing to provide a receipt)

Like I said, I support business owners wnating to protect spaces for thier customers, but I just don't see how "lay-in-wait" booting is effective for anything except extracting revenge and quick cash.

Rather than "cluture clash", prehaps "underlying difference in experience, values and ideology" is less offensive?

As the saying goes "we're not in Kansas anymore". If you think that this is illegal then don't pay. Call the police. You have that right. If you park on private property and the signs say no parking then you have no one to blame but yourself. You took a chance and you lost.

Hold up there cowboy. I wasn't booted. This ain't personal. I was just simply suggesting an kinder-gentler method of conflict resolution. Just 'cause this isn't kananas doesn't mean we can't seek out more effective solutions.--real solutions that protect private parking and don't drive away paying patrons..... Having some rough dude lurking in the shadows is a bit freaky to me, as a 50 year-old female. I would rather just not go out than run the risk of confrontation, which is why I (and my wallet) stay away from Red Hook at night.

There are three pay parking lots a very short walk away. Would be a lot cheaper than $100.

I suppose they could put a chain across instead of stealing a poor mans $100. But which would make them feel more superior? Those who say "you should have followed the rules", I hope you will be very happy in the1984 police state that is coming. Sheeple are begging admittance to the FEMA camp! Your nice home will be occupied by military officers while you are left to camp out at Vessop beach. Wake up! The future is upon us! Folks in Nazi Germany did not believe it either until it was too late! Think how many times you were caught on surveillance cameras this past week. Did it used to be like that? Is Al Queda in our pants at the airport? Think folks.

they did not steal from you and when i read your post title my first thought was that you were literally robbed, maybe at gunpoint or knife. very misleading especially since i know many people who have really been robbed at gunpoint.
there are many robberies on these islands by very real criminals.
next time just say you felt you were ripped off. and be thankful they didnt charge you the 175 that others had been charged.
following the laws of this country does not make a person a sheep