Mexico City's Parking Wars: Jail Time Proposed for Illegal Spot Savers

Mexico City to Tackle Parking Wars: Jail Time Proposed for Illegal Spot Savers Mexico City is cracking down on the practice of illegally reserving parking spots on public streets. A new initiative, proposed by the city's head of government, Clara Brugada, seeks to replace the current system of fines with jail sentences of up to 36 hours for those caught reserving spaces. The practice, often carried out by individuals known as "franeleros," involves using various objects to claim spots, ranging from cones to buckets, and demanding payment from drivers. "They take over the streets and impose their fees," explains one resident in the video. Another franelero, Agustin, admits to reserving spots, stating, "It's how I make a living." The initiative aims to address the problem of obstructed public transit and the extortion of drivers. The proposed law will be discussed during the next extraordinary session of the Mexico City Congress. If passed, it could significantly change how parking is managed in the city, potentially freeing up valuable public space and ensuring fairer access for all drivers.