The family of the man who was found dead in a car near UF's campus is taking a stand.
Kristina Torres, the daughter of John F. Waldo, and Monica Kraft, Waldo's fiancé, addressed city commissioners at Thursday's meeting.
"We can't bring him back, but we can sit here and try to pass a law," Kraft said.
This law, proposed to commissioners as a petition, requests that city, county and state police agencies collaborate more with one another.
It also asks that police run the vehicle identification number and tag any car that is ticketed.
As Waldo lay dead for 12 days, the car he was in was ticketed seven times.
Waldo was reported missing Feb. 11. His body was found Feb. 23.
Waldo's family said they hope that by requiring further measures when ticketing vehicles, situations like the one they experienced could be avoided.
"We would like to see it go into effect as soon as possible so no other families suffer," Kraft said.
The commission referred the matter to the Public Safety Committee.
The committee will bring back a recommendation after reviewing the family's requests.
After the conclusion of public comment, the commission proceeded with other business.
This included an ordinance that allows tow companies to boot vehicles parked on private property.
The ordinance passed unanimously on its first reading with Commissioner Jeanna Mastrodicasa and Mayor Pegeen Hanrahan absent.
Similar to the city's roam towing law, the ordinance provides guidelines for booting in Gainesville. The fee to remove the boot is set at $60.
There is currently no city ordinance governing booting. To become law, the ordinance must be approved a second time at the March 19 meeting.
If passed at that meeting, the ordinance will be effective immediately. Some commissioners expressed concern that booting guidelines would only create more headaches, similar to issues surrounding roam towing.
"Roam towing has been a real can of worms," said Commissioner Craig Lowe. "I'm wondering if we're, without realizing it, opening up another can."
Other commissioners said the important thing was that property owners be given the right to boot vehicles, regardless of their opinions of it.
"It's good public policy to have the option," Commissioner Thomas Hawkins said.
