Booting Vehicles Policy

A vital piece of the parking enforcement program is to identify vehicles that are unknown in the campus parking system or have received repeated parking citations. A “boot” list shall be maintained in the Public Safety Office, to include the switchboard, at all times. When a vehicle is placed on the boot list and Mount Mercy has a record of the owner of the vehicle, a notice that the vehicle is on the boot list will be sent to the owner by U.S. Mail at the last known address of the owner. All safety assistants are expected to actively search for vehicles on the list during their assigned shift. If located on university property, a vehicle on the list may have a vehicle immobilizer or “boot” placed on its tire until the person responsible for the vehicle has resolved all parking violations. Vehicles on the boot list may be booted at any time including on the weekends. The weekend is defined as after 4:30 pm on Friday until 8 am Monday.

When the boot is placed on the vehicle, a bright orange notice will be placed on the windshield to notify the drive/owner of the boot placement. Damage or theft of a boot will be billed to the violator. Removal of the boot by the Department of Public Safety is contingent on payment of all outstanding fines, payment of a boot removal fee and receipt of valid Mount Mercy University parking registration. The Vice President for Enrollment and Student Life or the Director of Public Safety may authorize the removal of a vehicle immobilizer based on extraordinary circumstances.

Unknown Owner: A vehicle which does not carry a valid Mount Mercy parking registration and has received 3 or more unpaid parking citations which have not been addressed or appealed will be booted. The Public Safety Office will determine when a vehicle should be booted and update the boot list.

Payment of Fines

All fines are collected by the Business Office between the hours of 8 am to 4 pm Monday through Friday. The receipt for payment provided by the Business Office must be provided to the Department of Public Safety prior to removal of the boot.

• The boot notices will be bright orange and clearly provide information on how to contact the Department of Public Safety.
• The vehicle owner must come to the Department of Public Safety Office and must provide proof of vehicle ownership, to include state registration or title, as well as a photo ID and current Mount Mercy University parking registration. If the vehicle is registered or titled to a third party who is not a parent or sibling the boot will not be removed until ownership is established and all fines and costs are paid.

If a vehicle is booted after hours or on the weekend and the Business Office is closed the Public Safety Department may accept payment to remove the boot providing the following guidelines are followed:

• Fines and costs must be paid in full before the boot will be removed. Either check or cash is acceptable with the following exception. If the owner is not a currently registered student, staff or employee all fines must be paid in cash. 
• A booted vehicle information (BVI) sheet will be completed regardless of the method of payment. A copy will be made and placed the Directors’ mail pocket. 

Cash Payments: If a payment is made in cash the following procedure will be followed:

• The cash will be counted by at least two members of the Mount Mercy University staff. This can be any combination of Safety Assistant and Switchboard Staff.  
• The cash will be counted in the presence of the payee. 
• A receipt for the payment will be provided to the payee. 
• The cash will be placed in an envelope with the completed BVI form and sealed. The two persons responsible for the count will then sign and date the envelope along the seal. 
• Clear tape will be placed over the seal and envelope placed in the locked box located in the Public Safety Department. 
• An additional copy of the BVI will be placed in the Directors’ mail box.  
• At the earliest opportunity the cash will be delivered to the business office and receipt appended to the BVI. 

Towing

The Vice President for Enrollment and Student Life or the Director of Public Safety reserves the right to tow any vehicle on Mount Mercy University property when the towing is reasonably necessary to protect Mount Mercy property or promote safety. Vehicles of repeat violators of Mount Mercy regulations with unresolved violations may also be towed. Owners or operators of the vehicle that is towed are responsible for all towing costs.