Chicago parking meters targeted by vandals

Chicago's parking meters have become targets of vandals.

The city of Chicago agreed in December to a $1.15 billion deal to privatize parking meters. The 75-year lease to Chicago Parking Meters quadrupled parking rates in some neighborhoods, causing an outcry from residents.

According to authorities, about 50 coin-fed meters in the city's Uptown and Ravenswood neighborhoods were targeted by vandals.

Among the damage done was goo smeared on the meters or left to dry in the coin slot. A few of the meters' display windows were painted over, and others had the words 'SLAVE' and 'KILL COPS' written in black marker on them.

Chicago police spokesman Robert Perez said the putty is removable if a motorist has something to scrape it away.