Mayor Unleashes the Tiger Team IV in Hollywood

Equipped with new license plate recognition camera technology in each vehicle, the Tiger Team IV will scan license plates, locate stolen vehicles, identify amber alerts and find scofflaws, all while continuing to eliminate traffic congestion along Sunset Boulevard by ticketing, towing and removing illegally parked vehicles from the street during rush hour.

May 20, 2008

HOLLYWOOD - Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, joined by Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles City Councilmembers Wendy Greuel and Tom LaBonge and LADOT Parking Enforcement Chief Jimmy Price, today announced the deployment of the Tiger Team IV License Plate Recognition (LPR) Unit, a special fourth installment of the anti-gridlock traffic enforcement team that will patrol the streets of Hollywood.

“The Tiger Team is back, and this time, better than ever,” said Mayor Villaraigosa. “Starting today, in an effort to avenge the law-abiding motorists and to serve justice to those who create needless traffic congestion, the Tiger Team has been set loose once again to cite and tow motorists who illegally park their vehicles on the street during the morning and afternoon rush hour times.”

The Tiger Team IV LPR Unit traffic control officer team will patrol the streets ticketing and towing motorists who illegally park their vehicles along Sunset Boulevard during the morning rush hour times of 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM and the afternoon rush hour times of 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.  The Tiger Team IV LPR Unit will deploy a total of five traffic control officers and seven tow trucks along a 4.2-mile stretch of Sunset Boulevard from Vermont Avenue to Laurel Canyon Boulevard.

Motorists will face heavy fines for illegally parking their vehicles along the Tiger Team IV corridor.  Peak hour citations will cost drivers $70 and Anti-Gridlock parking citations will cost $140. The towing fee will be $184 plus an additional $33 storage fee once the vehicle has been in the possession of the towing company for more than one hour.   

“Commuters are getting the picture,” said Mayor Villaraigosa.“Commuters are learning that if they park illegally and thwart traffic during rush hour, the Tiger Team will find them and take a bite out of their wallet.”

“Angelenos know that there is no margin for error along our busiest corridors, a traffic accident, or even a flat tire, can snarl traffic for miles.  We should not have to live with inconsiderate drivers who park in a restricted lane during rush hour and ruin the commutes of thousands of people,” said Councilwoman Wendy Greuel, Chair of the City's Transportation Committee.  “I want the penalty for blocking a lane during rush hour to be harsh, painful, and send a clear message that the City of Los Angeles has zero tolerance for inconsiderate drivers whose actions ruin everyone's commute.”

This time around, the Tiger Team will patrol the streets using new and technologically enhanced vehicles that are equipped with license plate recognition (LPR) camera technology.

The LPR technology will enable the officers to scan license plates, locate stolen vehicles, identify amber alerts and find scofflaws. Each vehicle will be stocked with 10-inch monitors that provide clear picture, video and wireless transmission capabilities. With this new technology, the traffic officers will be able to check license plates five times faster than traditional procedures.

There will be a total of eight LPR vehicles patrolling the streets, with two specifically dedicated to the Tiger Team IV corridor along Sunset Boulevard.

“If you are parking illegally and blocking traffic during rush hour, the Tiger Team will catch you, and if you're a dead beat scofflaw or riding around in a stolen vehicle, the Tiger Team will catch you too,” said Mayor Villaraigosa.

“Traffic mobility is key to our quality of life. The Mayor's Tiger Teams help to improve the flow of traffic, and help to ease this burden felt by so many in our great city,” said Councilmember Tom LaBonge.

In June 2006, Mayor Villaraigosa unleashed the Anti-Gridlock Tiger Team I along Wilshire Boulevard. Since its inception, Tiger Team I has cited over 28,000 motorists and towed close to 10,000 vehicles. 

In April 2007, Mayor Villaraigosa unleashed the Anti-Gridlock Tiger II along Ventura Boulevard in the San Fernando Valley. Since Tiger Team II has been in action, travel speeds along Ventura Boulevard have increased by 5%.

Last summer, the Anti-Gridlock Tiger Team III was unleashed along Crenshaw Boulevard in South Los Angeles. Since the Tiger Team III has been on the prowl, over 1,800 vehicles have been cited and/or towed for violating the anti-gridlock laws along Crenshaw Boulevard.  

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Darryl Ryan
Press Deputy
Office of the Mayor of Los Angeles
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Phone: 213-978-0741
Cell: 213-219-4826
Email: darryl.ryan@lacity.org