In the movie “Cool Hand Luke,” the character played by Paul Newman was arrested and assigned to a chain gang for cutting the heads off parking meters.

But in San Pedro and Wilmington, Calif., city and business leaders are doing the same thing to draw customers back to their shopping districts. The communities in the Los Angeles Harbor district are ready to behead a total of 645 meters in hopes of luring people back to shopping areas that could use the business.

Rates are being dropped on remaining “smart meters” that take cash and credit cards, the Torrance, Calif., Daily Breeze reported. San Pedro will be offering free parking at two city-owned lots.

The surrounding businesses highly approve.

There is something about a parking meter that drives potential customers away to shopping districts where the parking is free.

Whether it is Los Angeles, Calif., or upstate New York, the effect is the same. Businesses do better where parking is available and not too costly.

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