

Talk about a case of the boot being on the other foot.

Los Angeles firefighters were called shortly before 4:30 p.m. Monday to the intersection of Broadway and Temple Street to remove a Denver boot that had been placed on a Los Angeles Police Department squad car parked near the downtown criminal courts building.

The bright orange restraint, normally reserved for the vehicles of those who accumulate unpaid parking tickets, was placed on the patrol unit while officers were in court.

Authorities said they did not know how or when the boot was put on the black and white, but they said preliminary information was that it was a prank rather than a penalty from the city for accumulating excessive parking tickets.

The boot, which was placed on front driver's side wheel had its serial numbers scratched out. The LAPD officers who were victims of the joke were not immediately available for comment, but the scene drew an abundance of smiles and double-takes from passersby as well as law enforcement personnel.

Firefighters used bolt cutters and a pair of pliers to remove the restraint.

-- Andrew Blankstein and Mel Melcon

Photo: LAPD Officer B. Flores, background, looks on as members of the L.A. Fire Department arrive to remove a Denver boot lock from a police car parked near the intersection of Broadway and Temple Street. Credit: Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times