The city of Detroit played car dealer Wednesday morning, auctioning off vehicles belonging to parking violators who received the boot for not paying their tickets.

The city's Parking Violations Bureau auctioned off 42 cars at B&T Towing at 2411 Vinewood St. to a group of eager buyers, Local 4 reported.

PARKING CRACKDOWN Car Buyers Line Up For Boot, Tow Auction Parking Department Incentive Program Do You Have Unpaid Parking Tickets? Parking Ticket Payment Offices Book Building 1249 Washington Blvd. (1st Floor) Coleman A. Young Municipal Center 1600 W. Lafayette (Room 154) Detroit Police 5th Precinct 11411 E. Jefferson Detroit Police 8th Precinct 21400 Grand River

The vehicles belonged to people whose cars were booted and towed after they failed to pay several parking tickets.

"These are people that we actually booted under our boot and tow program and they just didn't come in and clear up their record. And, ultimately, under city ordinance we have an opportunity to get some funds from this auction process," said Ron Ruffin, parking enforcement.

Local resident Michelle Williams was among those who came out to take part in the auction. She purchased a 1994 Hyundai for $300.

Paulette Alexander found what she hopes will be some reliable transportation to get her to and from work, Local 4 reported..

"I just really needed a car and I work 60 miles from home, so I got a '91 Mazda Protege for $500," said Alexander.

Ruffin emphasized to Local 4 that parking violators may not be off the hook even if their car is sold.

"Absolutely not. We just take what we capture from the auction, we apply that to your debt, but we're still legally coming after you to capture the rest that's owed to the city," said Ruffin.

The Parking Violations Bureau is offering an incentive program to encourage violators to pay off the nearly $30 million in fines, late fees and penalties owed to the city. Those who owe money for old parking tickets can pay them off at half the price in the month of March.

Bureau representatives auction off booted cars twice a month at the B&T towing lot -- typically every other Wednesday, according to information obtained by ClickOnDetroit.com.

To find out about the next auction for seized vehicles, call the Detroit Municipal Parking Department at (313) 963-9630.

Boot And Tow 101

The Parking Violations Bureau administers a boot and tow program if a citizen has six or more unanswered tickets. After proper notification, the person's car may be booted and immobilized.

To secure the release of the booted vehicle, the registered owner must appear at the Parking Violations Bureau to pay all outstanding parking fines and penalties, the immobilization fee and the administrative fee. If the vehicle is towed, the registered owner is liable for impoundment and the vehicle is deemed abandoned and may be sold or disposed of to satisfy the outstanding fines, penalties and fees due.

Source: Detroit Municipal Parking Department Web site.