LAPD squad car gets the boot in an apparent prank
Talk about a case of the boot being on the other foot.
Los Angeles firefighters were called shortly before 4:30 p.m. Monday to the intersection of Broadway and Temple Street to remove a Denver boot that had been placed on a Los Angeles Police Department squad car parked near the downtown criminal courts building.
The bright orange restraint, normally reserved for the vehicles of those who accumulate unpaid parking tickets, was placed on the patrol unit while officers were in court.
Authorities said they did not know how or when the boot was put on the black and white, but they said preliminary information was that it was a prank rather than a penalty from the city for accumulating excessive parking tickets.
The boot, which was placed on front driver's side wheel had its serial numbers scratched out. The LAPD officers who were victims of the joke were not immediately available for comment, but the scene drew an abundance of smiles and double-takes from passersby as well as law enforcement personnel.
Firefighters used bolt cutters and a pair of pliers to remove the restraint.
-- Andrew Blankstein and Mel Melcon
Photo: LAPD Officer B. Flores, background, looks on as members of the L.A. Fire Department arrive to remove a Denver boot lock from a police car parked near the intersection of Broadway and Temple Street. Credit: Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times
EDITOR'S PICKS:
what cute little curmudgeons to have done this...shows the mentality
Posted by: All Hallows Eve | September 13, 2010 at 07:43 PM
It's just a prank; afterall, turnabout is fair play!
Posted by: CaliHATER | September 13, 2010 at 09:03 PM
Yay! Justice served. Great prank!
Posted by: Justanothermansopinion | September 13, 2010 at 09:58 PM
classic
Posted by: Frankie B. | September 13, 2010 at 10:59 PM
It had to be a prank. Everyone knows that the police are above the law.
Posted by: rocky2 | September 13, 2010 at 11:35 PM
the taxpayers that pay cops salaries are really not in the mood for pranks....
Posted by: fred | September 14, 2010 at 01:22 AM
How much taxpayer money was wasted in dealing with this prank? I guess it was worth it for the "...abundance of smiles and double-takes from passersby as well as law enforcement personnel."
Posted by: Joel | September 14, 2010 at 02:29 AM
There just showing the public how to remove this device from there own vehicle if necessary. But then again that will tell you that the parking office are a bit to harsh at times. "Just making their bonus as reported earlier by LA Times"
Posted by: Sergio L. | September 14, 2010 at 08:33 AM
Prank or not, alot of people's time and taxpayer money was wasted on this silly event. And this is supposed to considered "local" news. Should have been on "funniest home videos"!
Posted by: Terry | September 14, 2010 at 09:35 AM
prank? how about illegal.....one they destroyed city property second second they erased the i.d.#............on the boot. thank you Mr. Beck for letting this happen.
Posted by: lou | September 14, 2010 at 10:07 AM
It's like the good old days. A little smirky smile from the cops. Too bad we have to return to the real world of today. Stinks!
Posted by: ELA DAVE | September 14, 2010 at 10:26 AM
It's like the good old days. A little smirky smile from the cops. Too bad we have to return to the real world of today. Stinks!
Posted by: ELA DAVE | September 14, 2010 at 10:26 AM
LOVE IT! IT WOULD HAVE BEEN FUNNIER IF IT WAS the meter maids car, but i know how hard it is to get to those most of the time.... LOL
Posted by: BIG RICK | September 14, 2010 at 10:48 AM
LOL!
I think it would've been more appropriate for a "LA parking enforcement" vehicle instead--turn the tables!
Posted by: Justice Served | September 14, 2010 at 10:56 AM
Guess Mel and Andrew don't like MY posts. boo hoo
It should have been first.
You only hurt yourselves, nobody trusts a crooked website.
Posted by: All Hallows Eve | September 14, 2010 at 11:00 AM
Would have been funnier in front of a doughnut shop.
Posted by: Dale | September 14, 2010 at 11:01 AM
Reminds you of that movie the Choirboys, very funny.
Posted by: Michael P. Merana | September 14, 2010 at 11:11 AM
Ok, That's funny.
Posted by: Mr. Pibb | September 14, 2010 at 11:15 AM
Trust me, no matter how ticket happy the City's traffic officers are, none of them are suicidal enough to boot a patrol car! As for not being in the mood for pranks, come on, lighten up! It is funny!
Posted by: Astonished | September 14, 2010 at 11:26 AM
The police dept. doesn't have vehicle boots so don't blame the cops for "wasting tax payer money". Someone else put it on.
Posted by: Bobby P | September 14, 2010 at 11:30 AM
So glad City Employees have a sense of humor at the Tax Payers expense.
Posted by: CABEZA DE PITO | September 14, 2010 at 11:45 AM
tax payer money, blah blah blah. Relax and enjoy the humor in the situation. Being stressed out about something so trivial is not good for your health.
Posted by: mr nice | September 14, 2010 at 11:58 AM
Awesome
Posted by: daMaverick | September 14, 2010 at 12:02 PM
At least someone at City Hall still has a sense of humor. Good prank.
Posted by: Sandi Beech | September 14, 2010 at 12:09 PM
I catch the bus on that corner. The patrol car was parked in a red zone where the bus stops. This means the buses need to stop in the middle of the traffice lane and the riders must enter the street. Most any day you can find a police vehicle illegally parked there.
Posted by: Bus Rider | September 14, 2010 at 12:14 PM