OU-TX: Safe to Park?

Not sure how many of you remember this, but there was quite the parking scam going on during the OU-TX game at Fair Park last year. The gist of the racket was shady people would put up a fake parking lot sign, and in some cases take money, for Oklahoma and Texas fans. During the game, they’d switch the sign to “No Parking” or something similar, then tow all the cars and want the owners to pay the fees. Pisses me off just thinking about it.

That company — Lone Star Auto Services — lost its license last November. How someone didn’t get 30 in the county clink is another good question, but I guess you have to take the wins where you can get them. To prevent others from pulling off the same money-stealing scheme this year, the City of Dallas has implemented some “safeguards.”

According to the Dallas Morning News, the “smart” people at city hall have decided that those wanting to sell parking spaces must purchase permits from the city. This affords you a special parking sign that you must display at the lot.

Properly permitted lots must display city-issued signs. The city recommends that fans use only permitted lots displaying the signs. On Saturday, when the Red River Rivalry game comes to Dallas, parking and transportation officials from City Hall will be spot checking the Fair Park lots to ensure they are properly attended and priced.

“The main reason they’re out there is to eliminate the issues we had during the Texas-OU game last year,” said Gary Titlow, project manager for the city’s transportation regulation department.

City Hall is also handing out a stern letter to towing companies that might think about pouncing on cars parked in private lots.

A stern letter, huh? What if they don’t oblige? A spanking? (SugarTits switches careers to tow-truck driver.) The story says that they have been testing the system at other events and have only spotted two evil tow-truck drivers trolling the lots for a quick buck. Still seems to be a really weak system, but it’s better than nothing I guess.

Gravy Train and I will actually be taking the new DART line that runs to that area of East Dallas. Jump on any Red, Blue or Green Line train that displays “Fair Park” and you’ll be taken to a land of college football glory and all the corn dogs you can consume. Also allows us to drink ourselves stupid and not worry about selling our flesh for rides home … again.