ATLANTA - It happened just like that. People who left their car at the Buckhead public library said they returned to a boot on their car within minutes of parking -- some of them when they were inside at the library.
“This is ridiculous, it really is,” Shirley Reich said.
Reich just ended her volunteer shift at the library when she saw the boot.
“I was in the library working and when I came out, my car had been booted,” she said.
She said she called the company over and over again until someone finally picked up.
“If I was paying with credit card, it would be within the hour,” Reich said. “If I was paying with cash they could come immediately.”
Castle Parking Solutions told 11Alive confirmed Reich's story, but said it was only because the worker with the credit card machine wasn't close by.
They are subcontracted by Fulton County to police the parking lot and said they watch people closely when they leave their cars.
A manager told 11Alive they'll actually walk into the library to make sure whoever parked is inside.
The county pays them based on how many boots they put on cars, so some library patrons think they're taking advantage.
“It's not the first time,” Reich said. “As I was waiting, one of the patrons came out and said it happened to her. And she did argue her fee down to $40.”
Fulton County said they're aware that people are frustrated, and they're working on putting up more clear signage outside the library.
“There's no sign that says you can't park here and be a library patron,” Reich said. “It doesn't say the length of time you can park here.”
Castle Parking Solutions has 125 closed complaints on the Better Business Bureau from the last year, but they said they always try to be fair.
They removed Shirley Reich's boot without charging her.
“I think it's a little predatory,” Reich said. “For people who come to use the library and there is a sign that states that you can park here.”
If you don't want to risk it here, there's a parking garage around the corner, or you can pay to park on the street. This is the only free parking lot on the block.
