Towing Issues: Sergeants Towing, sergeants towing, apartments in portland

Question
Hi Richard,

I live in Greenbriar Apartments in Portland, Oregon. We've got a towing situation here:

The night of May 18, a tree fell across the only road to our complex. Since we were blocked, the only parking spots around belonged to another complex on that road. So we all went for it, even advised by a police officer to "park wherever you can" - I think he assumed, as we did, that there would be some understanding extended given the circumstances. But the next morning a lot of our cars were towed, and Sergeants Towing isn't budging.

I read elsewhere you saying Steve Preston was a fair guy. Any suggestions on how we can deal with this, and perhaps get someone to listen to us? Greenbriar is a low income complex. There are families who live here. I'm not sure what we can do.

Thanks Richard,

Luke

Answer
well first of all, I used to work for Sergeants and Steve was a good person to work for.


Now as to the issue, I have to say that some conditions such as yours tend to have some things such as the police officer saying that you should park wherever... That will really not stand up as its verbal and it would be hard to prove it was said.
So forget that happening to get things paid for.

Your best thing is to talk to Sergeants and see what they will do, I know you did it before but each time will help maybe. You might have a hard time getting to Steve personally, but I know that he has e-mail off the web site.

Now the City of Portland has a towing review board, but since this was a private impound and it will be easy to prove that you did violate the policy of the complex next door. New rules pretty much say that "PICTURES are to be taken to prove the violation"
That shoots down the chances of some leeway.
The only thing you got going for you is the news reports or police reports if there was property damage. Has there been an insurance claim filed by your apartment complex. You might check into that as it might help proving the reasons.

Now small claims court, well that will be hard for you to win in my mind due to issues. You can only hope that you would get a judge who will listen and agree with you. And not sure about if you going to the Oregonian or other media would do any good. But the press has helped in a few cases.

Sorry for not having a great answer, but at least I am honest in answers.