Towing Issues: Vehicle towed from Private Apartment Lot, Parking Permit not visible, apartment management, apartment manager

Question
State: CA / City: Downey

My vehicle was towed at 1200 hrs on 3/3/10 from my assigned parking space. I had parked it there at 2330 hrs on 3/2/10. No notification was given to me by my Apartment Manager, my worst fears were that my vehicle was now stolen. I had called the assigned towing company that the apartment complex contracts to conduct impounds on vehicles that are in Fire Lanes and was immediately relieved when I was informed my vehicle was there and was impounded on the approval of the apartment management.

After $250 of payment to retrieve my vehicle(Will be repaid, apparently the towing company helps out plenty of off-duty LEO's). I had asked the towing representative if they only impound vehicles from my apartment complex for Parking Permit/Placard issues, to which he confirmed it did only for Permits/Placards and not for Expired Registrations, a violation of 4000(a)(1)CVC. Note: My LE Parking Placard was in front of my apartment placard, but would be in clear, plain view as soon as the door would be open to release the parking brake to make the vehicle ready for safe towing.

Also if I do remember correctly on a certain subsection of 22658 CVC that the apartment manager or designated representative has to be on site with the towing company until the vehicle is off the property, therefore why would the manager not see that there was a permit in the vehicle.

I did my own walk around of the Lot where I park and found numerous discrepancies(which I have documented by photographs) of various vehicles that do not display a permit. Am I being singled out because of my job and if so, what actions would you recommend I take in this case?

Answer
It appears the problem that created the tow was the placement or viewing of the permit. My suggestion is finding a suitable viewing solution of the permit with the apartment complex and towing contractor so this problem doesn't happen again. I personally think an agreeable solution will be found and will be resolved quickly.

You are fortunate that the tow company offers reimbursements and would assume it's a matter of extending professional courtesy. I have to agree that not enforcing expired registrations is odd as in most cases is the biggest reason of towed vehicle in apartment complexes. As for discrepancies and speculation should be backed up by facts and it's or choice how far you want to go with it. As I said before I believe an agreeable solution will be found. Good luck