Hot Line to Fix Potholes Has a Bumpy Start

The city of Los Angeles misprinted the number for its new pothole repair hot line last week, accidentally directing hundreds of callers to an Arizona used auto parts store. All of a sudden, those dialing up Salvage City weren’t ordering clutches or carburetors, butyelling about craters on Crenshaw.

The mix-up, which flooded the store’s switchboard with about 200 calls, began last week when the City Council publicized a toll-free number to make it easier for residents to report storm-related potholes.

But two digits in the telephone number were inadvertently transposed, sending the callers not to City Hall but to faraway Phoenix.

“You must have some bad roads in L.A.,” said Pete Colantoni, the store’s exasperated owner. “I’ve gotten calls from people reporting enormous craters. I’ve had ladies screaming at me, ‘My husband ruined a $200 tire. What are you gonna do about it?’ It’s been a nightmare.”

The city apologized to Colantoni, but he is seeking someone to pay his phone bill. (As owner of an 800 number, he must pay for incoming calls.) His sales staff, he said, has been busier handling the phone lines than selling auto parts. It got so bad, Colantoni said, that he even tried to sell a few new axles to people.

“It’s the city’s fault,” said Legislative Analyst Ted Rogers. “We’re not going to point the finger at anybody. What’s important is that the right number is up and running.”

The correct number is (800) 498-CITY, and officials say work crews respond to complaints within three days. The Department of Public Works once pledged to fix such hazards within a day, but staffing shortages now make that tough.

“Last Saturday we worked overtime and repaired 1,800 of them,” said Curtis Bianchi, general superintendent of the Street Maintenance Division. “We know there are many, many more.”