Exclusive: Nassau family pressured to pay $300 because of Long Beach's 'boot and tow' policy

"

One Nassau County family says a simple parking mistake turned into an almost $300 payout, and says Long Beach's "boot and tow" policy infringed on their rights. Mike, who asked to remain anonymous out of fears of retaliation, says it happened in July 2022 when his family went out to get pizza. He says his family mistakenly parked in an accessible spot that they say wasn't marked. "They came out and the guy already wrote the ticket,” he said. “So my wife says, 'OK, we got to go pick up my disabled son in Lido Beach.' And he goes, 'You can't leave because I already called the tow truck.’" Mike says Long Beach Code Enforcement blocked his family’s car in after giving them a ticket. They asked why a tow truck was even called. "He goes, 'Oh, once you get a ticket, we have to tow you,'" said Mike. He says the only way to get the car back was to pay the tow truck driver $300 in cash. In a video exclusively shared with News 12, Mike’s wife can be heard saying, "I don't have the money on me." She is then told by one of the men in the video, "Then take the money out." In a statement to News 12, a City of Long Beach spokesperson said, “This incident took place more than two years ago under a different administration and different police leadership. We will review the video for any improprieties and take action as warranted.” Mike says he reached out after seeing a story last week on News 12 about the boot and tow policy. "I felt horrible and I wanted to help other people to make sure that it doesn't happen to them,” he said. As previously reported, at least five people reached a settlement with Long Beach over the boot and tow policy . The plaintiffs in the case alleged the city violated their protection from unreasonable seizure and their due process rights by booting their vehicle, and sometimes towing it, without providing them with notice or a hearing. "My trust and faith with Long Beach is gone,” said Mike. "If you're going to give a ticket, give a ticket, but don't take somebody's car." The city spokesperson went on to say the incident is related to active litigation and wont comment further at this time. As for Mike and his family, they tell News 12 that they're too scared to come back to Long Beach because they're worried about what a simple mistake in the city could cost them. "