Had to Get Someone Towed Today

[Special Ringpop]

I go to the University of Minnesota, located less than a mile away from the skyline of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Despite being a small (and very lush, green, beautiful) city within a city, parking is still absurdly hard to find, unless to have contract parking or choose to pay an arm and a leg to park at the meters/ramps every day.

Usually, most people park in a local residential area (mostly college housing) called Dinkytown. A nice little caveat is that they think 4th Street in Dinkytown was what inspired Bob Dylan's song "Positively Fourth Street," as he lived in what is now Loring Pasta Bar.

Anyhow, I parked in the residential area. Parking is fiercely difficult to get here, as it is free street parking. I parked on the street between two driveways. There was definitely only enough room for two cars to fit legally.

I come back from class, and there is a late model Saturn sedan parked about a half inch from my bumper (back). His back bumper and rear tire are actually sticking into the person's driveway. I left a good foot or so in front of me so I could get out, but there was simply no way I could do it without hitting the beat up Volvo in front of me, or hitting the Saturn behind me, causing significant damage to my own car (damn you front license plates).

I called 311, the non-emergency 911, and they dispatched a Traffic Control (meter maid) to my location. She was there within five minutes. She wrote him a ticket (as he needed one before getting towed), and white tagged it, so the tow truck was there in less than 15 minutes.

Wow, let me tell you, when the tow truck got there, while he was gentle with the vehicle, it was locked, and he had to get at it from the side. Had to pull it out into the street from the side, and lift it from the back. It was a bit crooked, so when being lifted onto the flat bed, it definitely scraped the tires/wheels on the car, and beacuse of the severe incline, scratched the bottom of the Saturn's front bumper.

Moral of the story:

1.) Don't park too close to me, I will have you towed.

2.) Even if it makes you a few minutes late, always make sure you park legally and safely...I'd hate to have that been an 8th Civic. Damage to your cars = no fun.

[cambodianricer]

does 311 work in every state?

[Special Ringpop]

No, not to my knowledge. If I recall correctly, it's just a Minneapolis city number.

It's amazing. I've used it dozens of times. I've called in domestic disputes, loud neighbors, broken streetlights/crosswalk buttons, and shady behavior.

They are great. It's too bad not all places have it.

[cambodianricer]

Originally Posted by Special Ringpop

No, not to my knowledge. If I recall correctly, it's just a Minneapolis city number.

It's amazing. I've used it dozens of times. I've called in domestic disputes, loud neighbors, broken streetlights/crosswalk buttons, and shady behavior.

They are great. It's too bad not all places have it.

i wonder if cali has one.........

[HondaFamilyMan]

Originally Posted by Special Ringpop

No, not to my knowledge. If I recall correctly, it's just a Minneapolis city number.

It's amazing. I've used it dozens of times. I've called in domestic disputes, loud neighbors, broken streetlights/crosswalk buttons, and shady behavior.

They are great. It's too bad not all places have it.

only works during business hours, like 8 to 5 or something. I call when my alleyway isn't plowed.

[Special Ringpop]

Seriously? I use it all the time, and I've always had someone answer. Tonight, my call was placed at around 7:15 or so.

[HondaFamilyMan]

Originally Posted by Special Ringpop

Seriously? I use it all the time, and I've always had someone answer. Tonight, my call was placed at around 7:15 or so.

maybe they have changed it. I remember calling to find out why my alleyway wasn't plowed yet and a recorded message told me to call back during business hours. I can't dial 311 from my cell phone (verizon) so I have to call the direct number, maybe that has something to do with it. :shrugs:

[Whocares05050]

Ive had someone towed before. They double parked on me, and i gave them the benifit of the doubt and waited 15 minutes to see if they would show. But no, i was running late so screw em'. Too bad to, it was a range rover, lol. They can afford the fee's, lol.

[vingavina]

nice to know. im going to look into it in my state.

[Special Ringpop]

I waited for a few minutes (figuring they may have just ran in, given the car was so poorly parked), but nothing.

And in the hour between him getting a ticket and the tow truck coming, the person didn't come.

I feel bad, but I'm not about to damage my car because some late model Saturn can't park well.

[SiCivic83]

I agree completely. It's very frustrating when you abide by the parking rules and you see someone that doesn't, and not to mention they put you in a position where you can't move. You had no choice but to tow him. There's no reason to feel any remorse for those people. I say a job well done!

[e60.deluxe]

311 is technically nationwide, but its operated by the local municipality. not ALL comply as of yet.

[CameronJr9]

Louisville needs a number like that. I find I'm always calling 911 because we have no alternative. We have so many districts within the city, there are tons of different numbers that I don't have time to remember. 911 gets the job done for now.

Edit: I just searched, and Louisville does have 311. Thanks for bringing this to my attention!

[SiliconX]

I tow people all the time at work. It's a private lot on a secure site, but people from the temple across the street park there all the time.

I always laugh everytime the person comes looking for their car afterwards, and tries to convince me that I shouldn't have towed them as they're in financial straits or some bs like that.

Yeah, i'm really sure you're going to struggle to pay the $150 fine on your $80K+ Mercedes.

[simplicated1979]

even if I double park next to someone's car, I usually stay in the car or If i'm unloading I do it in less than five minutes then on my way because you never know if someone has to move at any point of time. You did a good job...

[djphoenix18]

311 works here in Houston...