QuestionYes I see where you were going, it is done it is over we have no rights. We got our vehicle back there was no damage to the vehicle and we didn’t have to pay to get it back. All we had to do when we got to the lot was to point at the vehicle, and the parking pass that was bright red hanging on the mirror facing outward.
But to help you with the reading between the lines. The temporary parking pass was not expired, it did not expire for another two days and was hanging visibly and clearly on the mirror (it was bright red) with the expiration date clearly written and we had it facing outside the windshield. We backed into the parking space so it was really easy to see, after all the towing company hooked up to the front of the vehicle. If they only looked up! Parking for visitors is also clearly marked and we were parked in the visitor parking lot, not in the grass, not in a reserve parking spot, not in a fire lane – there were no green eggs or ham involved. We did not block anyone in anywhere; we did not block any driveways. I did not say that I felt the police department should be doing all the enforcing of vehicle parking, what I said “The police in Leon County did not appear to care that the vehicle was illegally towed”. We could provide proof that we were parked where we were suppose to be, you could still see scrapings on the pavement where they dragged our vehicle out of the parking space. The management of the apartment complex was not available it was Saturday they had the day off, so they weren’t the ones who call.
Also what I was referring to about getting transportation to reclaim our vehicle… YES, I did not break any laws, I followed them to a T – so shouldn’t a towing company be held responsible for their actions when the vehicle was following all laws? The voice mail box for the phone that we called... I have no idea what kind of phone it was if it was a land line or a cell phone. All I know is that we call the number listed on the sign; I have no knowledge of what type of phone number they posted.
I can see where you were headed with this; hopefully I answered your question. Your definition of illegally towed might be different from mine but I still don’t see how we could have possibly followed all the rules any better then what we did.
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The text above is a follow-up to ...
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Recently while visiting our Son at SFU our truck was illegally towed. We had a temporarily parking pass hanging clearly on the mirror. The apartment complex does have a sign for vehicles without a permit will be towed. When trying to call the number on the sign we continued to receive a message that the towing company’s voice mail box was full. Only by contacting the police were we able to find out that the truck has been towed. The police in Leon County did not appear to care that the vehicle was illegally towed and the towing company…. Ugh! It was like so what, it was our problem to find them, find transportation to reclaim our vehicle. Is there any action we can take against them? How can they do this, why didn't the local police department care?
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Well the temporary parking pass, might of expired or who knows.
The apartment management should of been able to tell you where the vehicle was towed to... They should of been the ones that called for the tow also.
Now in defense of the towing company, I am not sure what you were referring to about getting transportation to reclaim the vehicle. You think they should offer a taxi service to people who been towed? I am sorry, that does not happen. And the voice mail box full, sounds like it was sent to a cell phone. You can only talk to one person at a time on the phone, and I know that people call yelling and screaming and demanding things. It takes time to handle the calls.
Now in defense of the police, they will determine it is a civil matter and that is why they do not really seem to care. Its a lot of people who feel that the police should be doing all the enforcement of parking regulations on private property. But its well established in laws that the property owner and or manager have the rights to have offending vehicles removed from private property.
If there was a vehicle parked in your driveway blocking you in, you would want it removed and the police would say call a tow truck yourself in about 99% of the times. You can understand that I hope.
Now as to action to take, you can always go to small claims court and file against the Tow Company and the property owner / manager. That would be the only real action you have.
Sure complaining to the newspapers and TV just do make you feel better and yeah there are stories about this all the time. But remember there are always 2 sides on every story in the paper.
Now you mentioned the vehicle was Illegally towed. Did you think it was parked in a legal space, not in a reserved space for someone else. Did the temporary permit have a time limit in days it could be used ?
Was it in a fire lane, or parked on the grass? You can see where I am headed with this. Your definition of illegally towed might be different from mine.
AnswerWell first of all, I want to commend you on the good laugh.. Dr Seuss is great..
I agree that it seems you followed all the rules, regulations and also did manage to get the vehicle back because of the mistake. Its good that justice worked.
Yes the towing company did make a mistake and you were following the laws. You did prevail.. What else is there you can do, well that's a loaded question.. Other than helping educate people to help prevent illegal parking.
Small claim court would most likely be out of the question as there is no money lost, except for time and maybe the taxi.
Personal aggravation of the problem is what you are experiencing and its maddening..
Thanks for the update.
