QuestionQUESTION: MY CAR WAS TOWED FROM A PRIVATE TOW COMPANY BECAUSE I FORGOT TO PUT MY HANDICAP HANGER ON THE MIRROR. THIS IS AN APARTMENT COMPLEX. CAN A PRIVATE COMPANY COME IN AND TOW MY CAR WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM THE COMPLEX. AND WHY A PRIVATE TOW COMPANY CAME IN WHEN THEY DO HAVE A SIGN WITH A NUMBER TO CALL IF THE CAR IS PARK WITHOUT THE HANDICAP HANGER ON IT. THEY ARE CHARGING ME 191 TO PICK UP MY CAR. CAN I FIGHT THIS??? I LIVE IN THIS PROPERTY FOR A YEAR AND PARK THERE ALMOST EVERYDAY BECAUSE I FORGOT TO PUT A HANGER ONE DAY. SOME PERSON CALLED AND HAD MY CAR TOWED.pLEASE HELP
ANSWER: Well first of all, the use of "ALL CAPITALS" is the equal to yelling..
Now, I can not really provide information as I do not know what City or State you are in... But the handicapped parking laws also have some federal rules to follow also..
As to a private tow company come onto the property and do the tow, I have to say yes they can do that... Tow Companies are private businesses and very few Cities have their own tow trucks to do towing and the ones that do have tow trucks and towing departments do not do towing from private lots..
Also as a private business, the tow company has to charge for the services rendered. They are not "taxpayer supported" like the police or fire departments.
Now as to you forgetting to put the permit up where it is supposed to be, well that is just a problem that a lot of people have... Mistakes happen on everyone's part, it just seems that it costs money for mistakes when parking and no one is ever happen when that happens.
As to someone calling, well generally the apartment manager is the one that is authorized to order the tow and sign the authorization papers... But various state laws do also have an effect on who or when vehicles can be towed...
I know this is not a bunch of real help but it was the best I could do with the limited information I was provided.
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QUESTION: Sorry I was not yelling at you! So basically their is nothing I can do? I am in Houston Texas. What if the manager of the property did not sign any papers do I still have to pay the towing company?
AnswerWell it's amazing what information I can find when not trying the "mind reading 101" class stuff...
OK Houston has a "citizens program" for handicapped vehicle towing... Link to some of the information below at the end of the answer..
I would also image that you want the vehicle back, so I would pay the fees, and then get all the documentation in order and go the small claims court route... Someone had to call for the tow and they would be the ones to go after, sure you can go after the tow company, but remember most of the time they are just following orders from someone else.
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Houston Municipal Court
Contact
City Hall Annex, Public Level, Ste. 019
Houston, Texas 77002
713-437-6165
713-803-3199 (fax)
volunteer@cityofhouston.net
http://www.houstontexas.gov/volunteer/
Volunteer Parking Enforcement Program Description:
With strong support of volunteer coordinators, citizens can issue tickets to unqualified vehicles parked in accessible spaces after completing four hours of training on parking laws and procedures. Volunteers are issued City of Houston ID cards and caps. This program is very non-confrontational and is considered "citizen friendly." The program is also the most flexible and the most popular in Houston's Volunteer Initiative Program.
******************** Another source of info ******
VOLUNTEERS MAKE CITY MORE ACCESSIBLE
Parking Enforcement Volunteers Responsible for 23 Percent of More Than 9,800 Citations Issued to Violators of Disabled Parking in 2005
February 7, 2006 -- The City of Houston today announced that during 2005, citizens working as volunteer parking enforcement officers were responsible for 2,255 disabled parking violation citations - 23 percent of the more than 9,800 citations issued. Since 1995, the City has empowered its own citizens to issue parking citations when they witness abuse of disabled parking spaces in their neighborhoods or anywhere within City limits. Because of continued success, training for new volunteers is scheduled later this month.
Volunteers make the city more accessible because they know the ins-and-outs of their own neighborhoods and are familiar with the locations abuse occurs of disabled spaces, according to Liliana Rambo, assistant director for the City of Houston Department of Parking Management.
"The volunteers provide a wake-up call for those who think its OK to park there for ‘just a minute’," Rambo said.
As part of Mayor Bill White’s Volunteer Initiatives Program (VIP), the Parking Management division will hold additional volunteer training on Wed., Feb. 15, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 611 Walker, for those citizens interested in getting involved in protecting their communities and helping fight disabled parking abuse.
Al Risien, a former math and physics high school teacher and north Houston resident, saw a parking enforcement volunteer working in his local grocery store parking lot. Being disabled himself, Risien decided he, too, wanted to be part of a program that would not only benefit him but others in his community as well. After attending a training session in January 2005, Risien now calls the program a win-win situation.
“I’m not a caped crusader, but I do enforce disabled parking regulations in my neighborhood and where I shop,” Risien said. “I truly enjoy what I do and I know I’m making a difference for those in need.”
Those interested in joining the program may request an electronic application by e-mailing volunteer@cityofhouston.net or by calling 713.853.8245 to receive one by fax or mail.
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Parking Management is a division of the City of Houston Convention and Entertainment Facilities Department. By servicing and maintaining almost 6,000 on-street parking spaces and numerous garages across the Greater Houston area, Parking Management creates sound regulations for all commercial and residential areas enhancing pedestrian safety, ensuring a smooth flow of traffic and allowing emergency vehicles to reach their destinations. Parking Management also encourages parking awareness while supporting public transit initiatives.
For more information about Parking Management, please call 713.837.0311 or visit www.houstonparking.org.
