Ron Granger

Wed, Aug 29, 2012 : 1:32 a.m.

I towed you not to park there.

ahood

Tue, Aug 28, 2012 : 11 a.m.

people need to follow the rules. if you paid for a parking spot and someone was parked in it-you would want a tow company to move it. citizens of ann arbor need to stop blaming everyone else for their problems and take responsibility for not having a parking plan for their vehicle ahead of time. everyone needs to take care of their car while its running and equally they need to take care of it while it is sitting. i agree with all the charges-maybe some people need to learn this lesson and i can guarantee they wont repeat their mistake.

Watcher

Mon, Aug 27, 2012 : 10:38 p.m.

Mr. Ramsinghani should sue to get the fees back. The ordinance doesn't say that any car parked for 48 hours is considered abandoned. It say that must appear abandoned. To appear abandoned, it should be in disrepair or stolen or unregistered. The City has easy access to registration records and can determine whether a vehicle is stolen or unregistered. A clean late model Lexus is certainly not going to have the physical appearance of an abandoned vehicle. Mr. Ramsinghani, please see an attorney.

Jeanette

Mon, Aug 27, 2012 : 7:44 p.m.

Mr. Ramsinghani and his wife can park their cars in my yard (1 acre) in Whitmore Lake while they are gone--this is just ridiculous.

pwilly

Mon, Aug 27, 2012 : 6:40 p.m.

I have a question that I think needs to be asked, Did Mr.Ramsinghani bother have his address changed at the SOS since moving to Ann Arbor? Seems to me that if he DIDN'T have them changed and the police got complaints from the neighbors about two strange cars that have been sitting on the street for a few days with a address listed in saline, they most likely would consider the abandoned. I think the "writer" of this article should do some more research into this, get all the facts about this not just the "victims' side. I also have a question for Ryan J. Stanton, Why not take a picture(or a few) of the street this happened on?that might answer some questions also. I see no point of taking a picture of a "Brewers tow truck in action" which is clearly sitting unoccupied.

Snehal Shah

Mon, Aug 27, 2012 : 4:56 p.m.

The solution to this problem is very simple in fact. Why can't a resident put in a sticker in on the windscreen saying that "THIS IS NOT AN ABANDONED CAR"? Instead of assuming that a car is abandoned, be specific. Yes, if it is parked illegally then it can be still towed or ticketed. Why do people have to complicate things so much and create hassles unnecessarily? And city can provide these "Not Abandoned" stickers to those who wish to park in one spot on the street for more than 48 hours.

SonnyDog09

Mon, Aug 27, 2012 : 4:14 p.m.

So, if I understand this, it takes a simple phone call that claims that a vehicle is "abandoned", and the vehicle will be towed. No verification. No control measures. Neither the cops, nor the towing company, nor the city administrators have any incentive to check the validity of the claim of abandonment. In fact, they each profit handsomely from the scheme. What could go wrong? Maybe someone should start phoning in "abandoned vehicle" claims on the cars of hizzoner and council members. That's probably the only thing that would get their attention.

JimB

Mon, Aug 27, 2012 : 3:37 p.m.

A few years ago, I had my car towed from a street located around the hospital. When I went to work early in the morning, I parked legally on a street yet when I returned to my car after work, the city had placed signs on that street; around my car that said 'no parking between signs'. I had to pay over $400 to claim my car for 8 hours of storage at the impound. I protested the ticket but was told by the city that it had been published somewhere that this street would be 'signed' on this day. I was also told that my car could be deemed abandoned. I asked for someone to prove that it was abandoned by producing something like tire chalk marks that could be placed on my car by a traffic officer etc. NOTHING produced. Also, I showed my time records from the previous day along with receipts from businesses around town to show I needed my car to get there throughout the day. How could it be abandoned? In the end, no exceptions from the City.

easy123

Mon, Aug 27, 2012 : 3:33 p.m.

It was likely a neighbor who called. Talk to your neighbors AND park it off the streets. I had a van that did it near my street. I called the cops on it.

vivian

Mon, Aug 27, 2012 : 3:15 p.m.

Before taking me to task further, please see my later comment, folks.

5c0++ H4d13y

Mon, Aug 27, 2012 : 2:21 p.m.

The reality is that one of Mr Ramsinghani "neighbors" called parking enforcement on him just to screw him over. It's basically harassment via city services.

Mick52

Mon, Aug 27, 2012 : 1:52 p.m.

Ann Arbor has always been a fascist govt when it comes to parking. I have always promoted that some attempt should be made to locate an owner before towing a vehicle, some effort to notify an owner of a pending tow and offering a few minutes to come and move it. To accomplish this, a state law would have to be passed that allows/requires a valid phone number be added to the registration by the Secretary of State. I think that would be successful since most people have cell phones and can keep the number up to date with yearly registrations. Not only might it ease the towing issue, but if a vehicle if found broken into or stolen, it gives the police a chance to notify an owner.

gofigure

Mon, Aug 27, 2012 : 1:32 p.m.

This happens all the time. All you need to do is look around where all the students live - i.e. - Hamilton, Jefferson, S. Division, Madison etc. Cars parked on the street in the same spot for WEEKS. I've seen instances where cars are parked so close to driveways or half in the "no parking" zones and NOTHING gets done. And before any one asks how I can tell they've been there for awhile, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see snow on the car for weeks to realize it hasn't been moved.

swcornell

Mon, Aug 27, 2012 : 12:54 p.m.

You are found guilty of a crime and issued a fine (towing and storage fee), which you must pay cash for. You are not even aware of it. No ticket was issued and you are not even informed. It's just a done deal. How is this not a violations of due process?

grye

Mon, Aug 27, 2012 : 11:46 a.m.

City Council: Change this law. What an absurd law for families that may have more than 2 cars which requires some to be parked in the street. Leave the car there for 2 days and it can be towed? I think I'd like to stake out the city council and mayor's houses to see if they are ever in violation. Then they can have a taste of their own medicine.

vivian

Mon, Aug 27, 2012 : 11:15 a.m.

Wow--lots of folks jumped on me for what they saw as my failure to recognize paronomasia. What I was reacting to was what I perceived as an error that LOOKED like a play on words but wasn't. Where was the association between the meaning of 'toe the line' and 'tow'? It could have been done--the writer could have said 'if you don't toe the line, you could be in for a big shock...' or something like that, and laid the groundwork for a pun. Sorry to have sounded crotchety, but I get tired of seeing a lot of feeble word play in advertising. For many copywriters, mere similarity of sound seems to be sufficient, but that's not the way paronomasia has been used (wittily, at least). As a major critic of the last century --I think it was I.A. Richards, but maybe it was Cleanth Brooks--explained, these sorts of things work when the reader is prompted by the verbal echos suddenly to apprehend some unexpected semantic connection. Otherwise it becomes mere clang association. I guess I've just had too many students write things that reflected no awareness of anything other than the sounds of the words they were using, and I don't like to see that trend. In this case, I didn't think that the underlying phrase was adequately invoked by anything in the context. Anyway, sorry, everyone. If you thought it was a good pun, who am I to argue with you?

infrequent visitor

Mon, Aug 27, 2012 : 4:55 a.m.

In what bizarre world in leaving a car parked in the same space for two days considered 'abandoning' the car? This is the fundamental flaw in the Ann arbor towing policy. There are lots of legitimate reasons to leave a car in a spot for several days. Vacations, using the bus most days, a car with restricted occasions when it can be used, like a convertible. If the car has current registration I can't see why you wouldn't wait two weeks. Minimum. (1) If a vehicle has remained standing or parked on public or private property for a period of time so that it appears to be abandoned, the city administrator may affix a written notice to the vehicle requiring its removal. Either the towing companies are driving the reporting directly, or nasty neighbors are getting the city to do their dirty work and then hiding behind the city policy. In either case, declaring cars abandon after two or three days is not written into the law as quoted in the comments (and recopied above), the two day abandon rule seems the creation of some idiot bureaucrat. Now once you get the sticker, you have two days to move your car, and that is in the ordinance. The city should change the guidelines for the time required to declare a car abandon to something reasonable. You can even have different guidelines for residential neighborhoods and commercial neighborhoods. Idiot bureaucrat is actually too kind in this case.

A A Resident

Mon, Aug 27, 2012 : 4:38 a.m.

"A A Resident: snarky, sexist remark." ___ LOL, I'll give you three stars for figuring that out. Had you comprehended that it was satirical, I would have given you eight stars.

Roger Parlett

Mon, Aug 27, 2012 : 3:39 a.m.

I was towed when my bumper was 2 feet away from the cut for a driveway- the ordinance says it has to be 3 feet. Cost-$250. And the law says they can tow from private property- that is not reasonable- we need this law fixed!

Jim Walker

Mon, Aug 27, 2012 : 3:27 a.m.

Towing contracts are a for-profit business partnership between a towing company, a city, and in this case a county. Make no mistake, it is a for profit BUSINESS. Towing vehicles from no parking zones, blocking hydrants, blocking driveways, blocking fire lanes, or damaged vehicles that are obviously abandoned/non-functional - FINE. Towing decent condition vehicles from quiet residential streets where there are obviously no driveways or garages and the vehicles are not in the way is a FOR PROFIT BUSINESS which the city gleefully participates in for the MONEY. If morality were involved, Mr. Ramsinghani would get all his money back and an apology from the city. Don't hold your breath. James C. Walker, National Motorists Association, Ann Arbor, MI

Stuart Brown

Mon, Aug 27, 2012 : 12:59 a.m.

There is a simple way to prevent predatory towing by private-for profit, leaching companies. Require the city to pay all the costs of the towing and to donate any of the fines assessed to owners of cars to the public library system. In fact, require any fines assessed to citizens for rule or law violations to be turned over to the library system.

BernieP

Mon, Aug 27, 2012 : 12:58 a.m.

First, I smell a business opportunity for vehicle storage locations on an AATA route. Second, this really seemed to hit a nerve... might be a concern an aspiring pol may be interested in.

Scott

Mon, Aug 27, 2012 : 12:43 a.m.

It appears to me that anyone can bid to have a city towing contract. I assume you have to meet certain requirements such as minimum number of trucks, insurance, etc. So if you are so unsatisfied why not start your own towing business and under bid the contract. I am no expert but I can guess that one of those rigs in the picture cost about $80k, diesel is $4 dollars a gallon, insurance, property taxes, workers comp., health ins for your employees, maintenance on one of those trucks must be huge, oh and you should pay the driver of the truck. It makes me want to try to underbid the current contract. My car has been towed. I parked where I should not have. I paid the towing fees and moved on. Also, the "trolling" that occurs is with private property owners. I believe the property owners sign a contract with the towing company, issue permits etc. but it is towing companies fault for towing the cars in those lots that don't belong.

JRW

Mon, Aug 27, 2012 : 12:31 a.m.

Let's get this right. Mr. Ramsinghani left TWO vehicles on the street for 10 days while on vacation. The cars were considered abandoned and towed. Did the plane take off from the cul-de-sac? No, it left from the airport where he could have parked the cars in long term parking. Did the train leave from the cul-de-sac? No, it left from the station where he could have used the long term parking lot for both cars. Part of planning a vacation is arranging for your car or cars to be parked off of city streets for the duration. Assuming that you can leave your cars on a city street for an extended period of time (10 days) is asking for trouble anywhere. He could have asked neighbors before leaving on the vacation what the rules are for using city streets for parking, or he could have checked the city website for the rules. When he moved into the sublet, he could have asked the landlord what the parking rules were for that property. Parking isn't "assumed" to be indefinite and without restrictions on city streets in any city in the country.

JRW

Mon, Aug 27, 2012 : 12:18 a.m.

Let's be honest here. This is a college town and students park all over the place illegally. There have to be tough parking ordinances, or it would turn into more of a parking zoo than it already is. Renters are at a disadvantage because many are transient and many don't have off street parking, but none of them can assume that they can park on the street indefinitely, even if no signs are around (resident permits required, specific time limits, etc). 10 days is a long time to park on a residential city street and not move the car. Cars are stolen all the time and left on streets, and elsewhere. There have to be rules for parking on city streets (the operative work is "city"). The city streets are not personal parking lots. Newcomers to A2 and any other college town need to make themselves aware of parking restrictions. It's an unfortunate situation with Mr. Ramsinghani, but having lived in the city for over 30 years, in several different neighborhoods, I've seen illegally parked cars all over the place in residential neighborhoods. If the city didn't enforce the parking rules, it would be a free-for-all, and students would simply leave their cars on streets for extended periods of time while they walk to class or take off for a month or two in the summer. Renters and subletters need to check with landlords to find out the parking restrictions in the areas where they are living.

hepcat

Mon, Aug 27, 2012 : 12:13 a.m.

My wife's car was towed from a vacant business' s lot a number of years ago. An employee at Fox's Towing thought it was funny that they "were towing cars out of that lot all night" . We never did business with them again.

Dog Guy

Mon, Aug 27, 2012 : 12:11 a.m.

Out walking on a football Saturday some years ago, I saw a tow truck deposit a car on a residential street about a mile from the pre-Colosseum stadium. I asked a guy working in his yard about this drop. He said that every football Saturday that towing company fully parked his street and several others, likely because their lot was farther and possibly full. A few weeks later, a football fan told me that he had to wait at that towing company's office while his car was brought in from "the other lot." I filed a mental memo to search the nearest areas not filled with game parking if my car were ever towed during a game.

Pizza Man

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 11:32 p.m.

It seems to me that this law in not used for it's intended purpose and it is used by neighbors who have something against another neighbor. I had a neighbor how didn't like when I parked in front of his home. Every time I did this he would use the city's law against me. He would have the city come out and mark my car as abandoned just to get me to move my car. He knew full well that my car was not abandoned. This law is for abandoned car and not for neighbors with a axe to grind.

SillyTree

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 11:29 p.m.

I don't believe the city has time to go scouring cul de sacs for abandoned cars. I think the city was called by someone and had to enforce the law.

Goober

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 11:23 p.m.

Wow!!! You mean our city leaders blew it and are not making decisions in the best interest of all AA citizens? I don't believe it!!! Go figure!

grimmk

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 10:27 p.m.

Just where are you supposed to "store" your car if you do go on vacation? How much is THAT going to cost you? I think the whole idea is pretty silly. Streets are parking lots for car unless stated otherwise. That's why they have parking spaces. That's why they tell you to park HERE and not THERE or only for five hour every other Thursday except the 1st and last of the month. Now if parking your car downtown for a week, sure, the two day rule seems fine. But NOT on a residential street. Are you really going to start making everyone get assigned parking and permits and all that jazz? Are we all adults here? Where do we go when we have a situation like that Ramsinghani's? Do we find a friend who is willing to store our cars in their driveways? Do we take them to the airport? Train station? Fine if you have one, but what about two? Do we give out a spare key to our friend and let them move it for us? This is getting to be a hassle and a half.

Jrileyhoff

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 10:14 p.m.

I recently had surgery and was not allowed to drive for 2 weeks. My car is parked on the street in front of my house. So glad the city didn't view it as "abandoned".

AfterDark

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 10:09 p.m.

Despite all the points raised in the many comments so far, there is one thing I haven't seen mentioned that's unique to cul-de-sacs. Often I see vehicles parked in cul-de-sacs that are left head-on into the curb instead of being parallel parked. I'm often tempted to call in on such a rude display of self-entitled attitude.

Lynn Liston

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 9:44 p.m.

Well, there are so many answers on this that this might get lost but: - the city has an airport/park program called AirRide which is inexpensive and allows you to leave your vehicle in the parking structure for up to two weeks for a very small fee. Even a family with two cars can afford to buy two tickets and two parking permits. - the Detroit Metro long-term parking lots are also reasonable and a lot cheaper than paying extortionate towing/storage/fine costs. - otherwise, ask a friend to move your cars every other day and show some activity around your home to make it look occupied. - look into some of the short-term storage facilities around the area, usually services offered by storage locker businesses that store recreational vehicles. They will often have a short-term space available in their lot- again much less expensive than paying for a towed car. It's unfortunate, but there is no answer to poorly conceived parking regulations, mean-spirited neighbors and troll-trucks. The best solution is to put your cars elsewhere. My complete sympathies to those who contend with football games- my good friend once had complete strangers pull up into her driveway, get out and leave their car there. She graciously did not have them towed...but she did confront them when they returned. Turns out - wrong address and very embarrassed game goers. Some times crazy things happen...

drewk

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 9:28 p.m.

There seems to be some confusion here. No towing company can tow a vehicle under these conditions without a parking enforcement officer at the scene. Towing is done after the ticket is applied to the car. BUT... towing companies in Ann Arbor can be contracted to tow unauthorized vehicles off of private property while "trolling. This is done for private companies and not by the city.

DBA

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 9:25 p.m.

Towing companies and corrupt cities like Ann Arbor go hand in hand. Apparently the work they both do is on the back of their citizens who already pay high taxes to reside there. The cost meant as a deterrent is actually a launch point for anger and frustration of citizens. When the message is you "done bad" and we will "make you pay", the city penalizes hard working normal people, to stuff it's coffers. What a surprise the average citizen has a problem with that!

1bit

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 8:53 p.m.

arborani: You are talking about the Residential Parking Program. It is what some people are advocating above. $50 per vehicle per licensed driver per household. Here is a link: http://tinyurl.com/8oj82ok

belboz

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 8:30 p.m.

Do you want to hear one worse? We had a company vehicle stolen in Ann Arbor that I drove. It was found, towed in, and after 4 weeks of sitting in the tow yard, the company got a note from the city that it was recovered. After returning from 2 weeks in Mexico for our product launch, the company told me to go pick it up. So, I drove in to pick it up, and was told I had to pay the $850 tow bill before I could get it - no credit cards taken. So, I came back 2 days later with the cash from the company, and guess what - the car had been auctioned off. Turns out, after 30 days in the yard, Ann Arbor allows tow company's to auction off unclaimed vehicles. Company was large enough that I no longer had to be involved, so I'm not sure how it ended up, but it was pretty outrageous.

suzspot

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 8:29 p.m.

We are also new to the area and were thinking about buying a house. I think we may re-think that. Now we live in a rental with only street parking. I guess we have been lucky to this point that we have not been towed when on vacation. What a crazy idea that you park by consensus. Don't like your neighbour..call them in. Don't like the elderly lady that complained about your noise..and she only drives her car to church on Sunday..kiss that puppy goodbye. The guy that never trims his bushes..that is in the hospital having surgery.. gonzo. Anyone that is an outsider in any neighbourhood can be targeted. We just came from a CITY and what they do is keep the money for themselves..don't line the pockets of a towing company. I was high priority (no driveway) and paid $160 per year for parking permit. If you have a driveway you are low priority and if you want to be on the street then it is closer to $300 a year. I was shocked coming here that there was no permit system. I would gladly buy a permit. At least then too the money goes back to the community for parks, roads, and other projects.

James Toy

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 8:15 p.m.

Decades ago when I moved into an apartment on S. 4th Ave. in Ann Arbor, the owner of the buildng said it was ok to park on the lawn. Some months later I got a ticket for illegal parking. When I contacted City Hall to plead ignorance of rhe parking ordinance I was told, "It's your responsilbity to inform yourself of City polices." I wonder how many other policies I have unknowingly contravened.

Lynn Glazewski

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 8:04 p.m.

If the city was customer-friendly, there would be an on-line form you could e-send to Parking Enforcement, with a credit card # to be billed, say $10/week, for the weeks you would be on vacation. The city could limit it to 4 weeks, could limit it to non-snow months, etc. Youy would have official permission to park on the street for X amt of time, the police would have online access to the permission list of license plates, and that would be that. IF we lived in a city that was customer-friendly........

whale11

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 7:58 p.m.

Probably a neighbor phoned the police to get the car tagged. I was once tagged even though my car was parked less than 24 hours. I don't park in front of that house any more and so far haven't been tagged. Being on a cul-de-sac might mean that any one of several neighbors made that call to get the car tagged.

Victoria Merinsky

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 7:46 p.m.

No matter what exploited law occurs, there is a great deal of lack of common sense and treating tax paying citizens as fools for the city. Years ago when i worked 3 blocks away from residence My SUV parked in my own private driveway, one day was taken from Brewer whose business is right down the road. I walked to work and daily drove the vehicle 3 or 4 times a week. Lost my only family vehicle to the city with the same law. SHAME...and never recovered from loss. Moved to Dexter next. I saw daily Brewer trucks trolling through the neighborhoods, yes looking for cars to take. Witnessed the tow trucks calling parking officers to get that paper and tow. I will never understand the madness as far as I am concern it is predatory practices. What gives the city the idea that whether your a renter or homeowner that this poorly slippery law should be enforced to residents..Perhaps the neighborhoods should build securtiy gates around properties with gun in hand from residents for is that what the city wants an urban jungle of protecting ones rights? Keep it up nimby namby political city We are losing the gentry town I once knew 20 years. Sad sad We have a city with undercover corruption dressed in a polo shirt....Who's Detroit now? Ann Arbor citizens when will be the time to stand hard against slippery practices. What incentive does a new relocating resident have to invest a future here? What is wrong with this town? SHAME>and yes grammar is not proper I'm only on my second cup of strong joe. Well we got good coffee here at least.

arborani

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 7:35 p.m.

Here's a simple question: In and around my northeast neighborhood there are a number of city signs which say "No Parking - Except Resident Permit." Just what are these? How are they obtained? Do they cost? Do they come with stickers? Do they preclude towing? I haven't noticed them in other areas.

alterego

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 7:24 p.m.

So much for discouraging driving and encouraging alternate transportation in this town. 48-hours seems to be a bit short for vehicle abandonment in a residential neighborhood.

Billy Bob Schwartz

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 7:16 p.m.

This reminds me of my dear, sincere old college days. A fellow student visited me for a few hours during summer session. He parked just down the street. During the day, the city installed new meters there, and he got to his car to find a ticket! No, AA would never be unreasonable in regard to parking!!

James Kirk

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 6:57 p.m.

Two ordinances govern towing: Per an earlier post: Chapter 30: 2:87. - Vehicle abandonment. Any motor vehicle parked for 3 consecutive days in any parking lot or structure of the system, shall be deemed abandoned and may be removed by the city and impounded. Any motor vehicle otherwise parked in violation of this chapter, may be removed by the city from the parking lot or structure in which it is parked and impounded. Any vehicle so impounded by the city shall not be released to the owner until all parking charges, storing and towing charges shall have been paid by the owner. .... so how on earth can the city reconcile the preceding with the new "Michigan Flyer" parking deal being advertised (from http://www.myairride.com/AirRide/Parking)... "Parking in the structure at the corner of 4th and William St. is available for $2 per trip for up to two weeks. Parking for longer than two weeks will require payment of the standard rate posted at the parking structure. For directions to the parking structure, please click here." So the ordinance says anything more than three days in a structure is a towable offense. Hmm Looks like one hand does not know what the other is doing... once again.

moveover2012

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 6:27 p.m.

once about a time : my car was ticket in my parking space?where i/170 senior live. The court cost to file is $ 25.oo in small claim court.... City and police departments collect $ 40.00 each per tow. At the city council meeting the mayor ask the city attorney how much money the towning Company payed ?NO money was payed ? The towning fee is $ 260 CASH. They donot deal in credit cards or checks! P.S three times in court finally got me my moneyes back. yes that was Welcome to the city>!!

Paul Wiener

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 6:23 p.m.

This deserves a 1677-word article? Who are you trying to convince, and why? This is disgusting, and the article proves it. If we believe Mr. Ramsinghani, as I do, then all this demonstrates is another bit of legalized theft by "government," something we see increasingly every day all over the country, and something the country may soon insert into its national anthem, politically speaking. Such legalized theft (the entire purpose of this long article being to justify it) encourages distrust, rebellion and "illegal" theft by citizens who want to get a little something back from the lawmakers who rip them off. It also increases the disrespect already felt by many for what passes as policing - let alone government - in Ann Arbor, which hopes to excuse itself by, in this case, outsourcing injustice.

Mike

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 6:12 p.m.

I'm sure it's a good law and people are just making a big deal out of it. The city has financial difficulties and people aho go on vacation, park downtown, and drive a little too fast can take comfort that their moeny is going to a good cause. The more we can collect on fines and fess the longer we can hold off a city income tax. It's only going to get worse.......I haven't gone downtown in years and try to avoid the city whever I can. Spend your money elsewhere, vote accordingly, or don't complain.

golfer

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 6:02 p.m.

hope the money is going towards the art commission budget. they need more money only have about a mil in the bank.

bunnyabbot

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 5:15 p.m.

there is a big difference between the downtown parking issues and abuses and the quiet residencial neighborhoods that have few rentals, duplexes or turnover in people living there. Some people don't like the idea of renters living in their neighborhood and may complain in order to target renters. A landlord could sue a neighbor for harrassing or targeting the tenant of their property or otherwise make it difficult to rent or keep a tenant because of activities that neighbor was doing. I say this because I once did not renew my lease, siting the neighbors having the police called multiple times by me or several other neighbors on the street for loud drukeness including kick the keg down the street at 4 am, my landlord sued the owner of the house next door, siting their tenants. He won, had his court expenses, lawyer and loss of rental income paid. That other owner now is more careful about who they rent to.

talker

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 5:14 p.m.

If your car is towed away when parked in your own driveway, isn't that theft?

bunnyabbot

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 5:02 p.m.

I saw two cars this morning parked on Miller near Maple that had for sale signs in their windows, they better take those down before they get a ticket!

grimmk

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 5 p.m.

Next on Parking Wars Ann Arbor...!

Beth

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 4:57 p.m.

The one good thing to come of this is that at least this article has made all the readers aware of this parking ordinance. I had never heard of it before, and it sounds like I'm not the only one. This reminds me of when I was a student, living in off-campus housing; we had a few parking spaces in the lot behind the house, but our landlord routinely just parked on the lawn in front of the house whenever he came by to make repairs. One day all the parking spaces and street spots were full and I parked my car where my landlord did - only for about half an hour. I was astonished to find a parking ticket on the car when I came out. I went to City Hall to ask about it and was told that parking on the lawn was prohibited. I explained that I did not know this and that my landlord always parked there, but the parking official was completely unsympathetic. A warning would have educated me about the law and not taken a huge bite out of my meager student budget, and I remember being very upset that AA was so inflexible. This situation that Mr. Ramsinghani encountered could also have been handled by a warning and by excusing the fine this one time. I know the official policy is that "ignorance of the law is no excuse", but unless efforts are made to educate the public about what AA's parking laws are, that's just not acceptable.

bunnyabbot

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 4:49 p.m.

I'd like to add I don't see the tow companies as the enemy here, the ordinance and the abusive calling of some crotchity neighbors are the problem and the fact there is little recourse for people like the couple in the story. I've never had my car towed in this situation or for illegal parking etc. I did however, years ago before everyone had cellphones have my car break down at night on the way home from work, on Main St near the intersection with Ann Arbor Saline road, it was winter. I was 19 and wearing a mini skirt from my job at the mall. My clutch went to the floor and stayed there, I couldn't shift, I could only roll to a stop and put my flashers on, it was icy and snowy. A couple men stopped to invite me in their car which freaked me out, when suddenly a Sakstrup tow truck appeared which happened to just be driving by. The older gentleman told me to wait in the warm truck while he hooked up my car, drove it to the repair shop where I dropped off my keys in the slot and then waited with me until my mom showed up (his dispatcher called her for me). He was a nice man, friendly and very professional.

Joe

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 4:46 p.m.

It is another example of a city that has abused the population of Ann Arbor with high taxes, poor service and ridiculous regulations which are implemented only to steal money from the citizens of this city.

pegret

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 4:46 p.m.

Towing has been a huge racket in Ann Arbor for decades, and the towing czar, Brewers has had a stranglehold on the market for most of that time. It isn't necessarily a lack of parking that keeps some folks from coming downtown, but a 'fear of the racketeer'.

grimmk

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 4:41 p.m.

I think they should extend the amount of time. 48 hours is ridiculous as best. What if you are held up at home sick and don't go out for a few days? A week, yes, but TWO days is just mean.

Steve

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 4:30 p.m.

That sounds more like a money making ordinance than anything else. If you are legally parked on the street, especially if it's on your street, have no driveway or other off street parking what are you supposed to do; toddle out every day and move the car, trying to find another location? If I can walk or ride the bus most places why should I have to move the car as long as it is legally parked (aside from this ordinance that seems to have chosen an arbitrary time period of 2 days before a car is no longer legally parked). As far as enforcement I can't say I've ever heard of that ordinance until reading this and it certainly doesn't seem that it's evenly applied in the city. I see cars parked on my street that don't move for months (easy to tell in the winter when we have snow because they become big piles of snow), but there isn't anyone tagging and towing those cars. Maybe it's just the neighborhood. Troll around the neighborhoods where people are likely to have some extra money and start towing and let the cash registers ring.

James Hamilton

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 4:23 p.m.

I wonder if the police get any kickback from the towing service to tag cars for towing. It looks like this is a GREAT situation for the towing company. They get $20 a day for parking a car that the city parking structures charges $6 a day, and they get to tow cars when they are not busy. Doesn't the police have better things to do? Do they have so much free time?

Sandra Samons

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 4:08 p.m.

There are already 157 comments, so adding one is probably pointless, but it does emphasize how upset citizens are about parking and the towing laws. Or perhaps I should say "ordinary taxpayers", although I do wonder who the other folks are. And, BTW I am probably tempting fate, but I am "up in years" and I have never been towed, just frustrated! That's as close as I come to having an axe to grind on this topic. There are better ways to handle the need for some parking restrictions so they do not seem so predatory. The current system really does smack of a racket. I know the towing companies are just trying to make a living. It's the rules that need changing. In San Francisco, for example, the towing zones vary according to the need of the vicinity, and the various towing restrictions are indicated by color coding on the curbs, with some areas having none at all. That and a simple sign saying that parking in an area marked by blue on the curb is restricted to_____ would solve the problem in a more city friendly way. There was a time when merchants allowed people to park in their lots after hours, making the downtown area more user friendly and creating good will for their businesses. For many years that did not create a problem. Now, you would get towed before your engine cooled! What (if anything) changed, and was it necessary to deal with it in an all or nothing way? There was concern about the downtown area dying and efforts have been made to bring people and their business to downtown, but was this ever discussed?

leaguebus

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 3:50 p.m.

From 2am to 7AM on weekdays, have alternate side of the street parking. that way everyone knows they have to move their car every day. At the same time, it would allow the city to plow and do maintenance work. I would do this in the neighborhoods that have student rentals. This way there are no surprises when people go on vacation. Plus it will put the heat on landlords to supply parking on their property and not rely on the on city streets.

Wondering

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 3:43 p.m.

Good comment, Tesla, about the owner of Brewer's Towing. It is easy to demonize folks because we are angry that we have run afoul of the law, without thinking about the fact that those folks and their families live in our community and have the right to have their names and reputations not dragged through the mud. One does wonder how many interactions with neighbors trying to do reasonable problem solving about parking that was too close to driveway entrances or in front of mailboxes interfering with mail delivery preceded this particular towing. Normally neighbors work together to address such issues in a reasonable way. When such talking is ignored, then perhaps neighbors finally, as an end resort, call police........so they can get the post office to deliver their mail, or so they can get in and out of their own driveways without running into another vehicle. Often newspaper stories don't give all the facts......which is no doubt ONE of the reasons why parking citations/towing fees are often not overturned. Another may indeed be that we live in a police state with vicious vindictive towing companies run by local folks who don't care about their or their family's reputations and with vicious vindictive neighbors who don't care about getting along with the neighbors they have to live next to for the next 50 years and who have no better way to get their kicks than to harass unfortunate neighbors who just need a place to park their vehicle.

Ryan J. Stanton

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 3:24 p.m.

In case anyone is curious, the city is planning to highlight its towing services collaboration with the county the next time it applies for state funding through Michigan's Economic Vitality Incentive Program, an initiative championed by Gov. Rick Snyder to push local governments to collaborate and combine operations.

Redleg

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 3:05 p.m.

Just from the Photo above, I see better than half a million bucks worth of tow trucks..... I can sort of see why Brewer's may be involved with troll and tow.....

Tesla

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 2:57 p.m.

Ramsinghani is completely wrong, got busted and is now of course upset, but still Wrong on all accounts. Brewers Towing is awesome by the way, and they don't "cruise neighborhoods looking for victims" Mr. Ramsinghani. They were looking for a home to help out a car owner with a broken down vehicle more than likely and to save the day...not there to pre occupy your phobias. Brewers Towing is a great company and the owner, Dennis Brewer is a very nice and fair man.

mhirzel

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 2:56 p.m.

There is just no way around it. The City of Ann Arbor has become a predatory beast, and it's taxpaying citizens are the prey. This story makes me absolutely furious, though I really shouldn't be surprised. I was one of the many victims of one of these various city-sponsored scams a few years ago, which involves a cop who habitually sits in an enormous SUV, intentionally blocking the view of a "No Left Turn" sign from drivers of average size cars in the horseshoe drive of Community High School. From the parking lot exit to the street there, there is no other visual cue that there is any reason not to turn left onto the street. I'm wondering how many easy $130. tickets he scores against Ann Arbor citizens per day. And, of course, no mercy from the Parking "Referee," who appears to be there just as window-dressing. Cash cows, we citizens. In all fairness, the referee did once cancel a parking ticket, which my daughter was issued in a city lot with one of those big consoles where you walk from your car to pay the parking fee and get a receipt. My daughter returned to her car to find a parking ticket had been issued. When we examined her receipt (a miracle that she saved it!), we saw that the parking ticket had been issued in less than 60 seconds before her paid parking receipt was issued. WHICH MEANS.... the parking ticket was issued while she was walking from her car to the fee console! The referee cancelled the ticket, "as a one-time courtesy," he said, with a warning not to do it again!!!!!!! I'm glad Mr. Ramsinghani has brought this to AnnArbor.com. I'm sure there are many other victims of this legalized thuggery on the part of our "public servants."

HeismanforDenard

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 2:56 p.m.

I share Mr. Ramsinghani's frustration. We support AA from CA. As a Law Alum & Presidential Society member from CA who has endowed a football scholarship and a room in South Hall at the Law School I was recently shocked to find my rental car towed when parked for 10 minutes in an empty gravel lot by U Towers were I stopped by long enough to drop off a change of clothes before returning to shower and change for an early meeting following a red eye from the West Coast. Up to our son's apartment to drop off a suit (and avoid dragging it across campus) and back down to permanently park took 10 minutes or less. My car was gone. I almost missed my meeting with the AD and the 10 minutes cost me over $300 between cab fare and tow charges. No way anyone complained -it was Th AM before 8:00 and the lot was 95% empty. The tow companies and City have a cash cow. They scour the City for anyone they can scam. Those are the facts. I wonder if the City actually monitors whether and by whom complaints have been registered? The answer is "no." Outrageous.

Haggis Chihuahua

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 2:56 p.m.

Seriously? The city wants an "attaboy" for shaving a mere $20 from the towing charges? How about this instead? Let people park on the streets by their homes and leave their cars the hell alone.

breadman

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 2:55 p.m.

This is totally crazy!! I have a neighbor that has no driveway, no garage so tell me when they go home to the country they are from where are there to park. I just hope people like these fight the system cuz street parking is all they have, when building and placing this where it is add comparing but the street.

Linda Peck

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 2:40 p.m.

It seems this happened on a street in a neighborhood that was not posted "no parking" and it also seems that someone simply called the police about these cars. Otherwise, how would the city know about just how long they were there? If there are not enough police and fire personnel for the city right now, how would there be enough personnel to go around neighborhoods measuring just how many hours one car had been parked in one spot? This had to be a neighbor. Ten days is not very long. Sad case.

Pete

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 2:34 p.m.

It was much like this in the late '60s and the '70s (when I last had my cars towed in AA). Big tow fees, instant storage fees, and prowling tow trucks. I've been fortunate since then to have off-street parking (or not be living in AA proper) but there are plenty of apartments and rooming houses with not enough parking. If the city does not require (and enforce) an off-street parking space for each adult resident in apartments (not just one per apartment) then banning on-street parking for more than a day or so seems unfair. It seems to me that the city should not require people to drive their cars nearly every day to avoid being called "abandoned". I would think the city would want people to walk and take the bus (save the car for long trips).

A A Resident

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 2:22 p.m.

'It never ceases to amaze me, the entitlement and ignorance of the fans. Many enter the neighborhood minutes before game time and careen through the streets (pitching litter as they go) and expect to find that up-close parking spot that's been filled for an hour or two. So they ditch the vehicle anywhere and dash to the game. Again, tow 'em, no mercy (the enforcement people politely ask "...ticket or tow?").' ________________________________________ Instead of getting all bent out of shape and calling the cops, have you considered just taking a couple of Midol on game days?

Robert Granville

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 2:18 p.m.

I'm surprised at the sheer number of complaints. I hear about and see far less towing here than in Kalamazoo. Just be thankful that T&J doesn't operate in Ann Arbor.

bunnyabbot

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 2:09 p.m.

without reading through the over 100 comments yet I will add my own experience. I lived, seven years ago in house on the westside, off of Arborview which did not have a driveway leaving me to park on the street, at least 7 other houses did not have driveways leaving the street lined with parked cars on both sides of the street. Sometimes I had to park four or five houses over and when I did so made sure not to block a driveway or walk in someones grass and was friendly to home owners. I routinely got the spot just in front of my place though. My boyfriend who would visit often usually parked not that far. One morning I came out to go to work and an ordinance man was leaving a ticket on boyfriends car because he had inadvertly left a for sale sign visable. Mind you it was not in a window, it was ontop of a box in the passanger seat and you would only be able to see it if you were right next to the car. (you can't leave a for sale sign in your car, not even if it is parked in your driveway!) Upon further discussion he said someone called it to report "many abandoned cars" on the street, mine included! I said I drive my car daily and it was driven the night before how could it be abandoned. Well he said his log said it was parked there the day before. I said I just felt lucky to have gotten the same spot nearest my house. He suggested I rotate where I park. Seriously? I mentioned I didn't have a driveway. He said that wouldn't matter. Technically if your car doesn't move for two days you could be written up for an abandoned car. I mentioned vacations and he said if a neighbor wanted to they could call it in if they see your car hasn't moved for over two days and they think it is abandoned. While in your OWN driveway. His words were "people should make arrangements for where they park their cars". I said I thought homeowners with driveways DID, they bought a house that had a DRIVEWAY. Stupid ordinance, totally big brother, pocket book

Wilford John Presler IV

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 2:08 p.m.

I suggest that the city sell yearly a RESIDENT PARKING STICKER for a nominal fee with odd/ even parking in the winter time. Enclose a copy of the rules with the permit and post signage stating the same. This would alleviate many of the problems I see....now about the 45 dollar "KICKBACK" to the city for each tow...That would be a concern to address with the State Attorney Generals Office...

Rob D'Oria

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 2:05 p.m.

Since it was a residential area, why didn't they just run the license plate to see if the cars belonged to the house they were parked in front of?

xmo

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 2:05 p.m.

Welcome to the Workers Paradise Mr. & Mrs. Ramsinghani! Over regulation, anti-business and over taxed!

judys

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 2:03 p.m.

Well, Brewers trucks can't just cruise the streets looking for cars to tow - the cars have to be tagged by the city first. And the police have better things to do than drive around looking for cars that have been there for awhile or that are parked illegally (except for football Saturdays, of course). Someone in the neighborhood must have reported those cars as "abandoned." Was it because the Ramsinghanis are relative newcomers and the neighbors didn't recognize their cars? It might have been a good idea to tell a neighbor or two that they would be gone for a week or so.

Twanders

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 1:58 p.m.

It makes one wonder if the tow truck companies aren't the ones calling in the complaints themselves. It would be pretty easy to "pose" as a neighbor calling. Just sayin... I had my car towed TWICE by triangle towing out of a parking spot near campus that I paid over $130/month for. I know no "neighbors" called on me, the tow company stalked those spots to make $, and did they ever.

Jonathan Blutarsky

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 1:58 p.m.

Moral of the story - if you're leaving town with your car parked on the street while on vacation call Community Standards and let them know. Somebody called and complained on Mr. Ramsinghani. Plain and simple. Community Standards does not drive around and tag cars willy nilly. The city isn't out to hassle people but when people call about abandoned cars they do listen - AND I'M GLAD THEY DO!

a2cents

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 1:56 p.m.

In a neighborhood subject to fan parking and student insensitivity and a nearby bus stop, parking enforcement is a blessing. Parking in marked no-parking zones, blocked/obstructed driveways, parking on/near crosswalks, and cars ignored for days are the rule rather than an exception. A forgiving attitude soon gives way to venomous anger. Tow them all, no mercy. Having said that, for abandoned vehicles the rule is 48 hours. I wait 72 hours before dropping the dime. It takes a few hours for enforcement to mark the vehicle and they don't return till 72 hours have passed (per enforcement folks though the law is 48 hours). Also only the same enforcement person can have the car towed to avoid confusion/abuse (a day off adds to the grace period). So that's six days minimum. Thankfully the other offenses offer almost instant gratification. It never ceases to amaze me, the entitlement and ignorance of the fans. Many enter the neighborhood minutes before game time and careen through the streets (pitching litter as they go) and expect to find that up-close parking spot that's been filled for an hour or two. So they ditch the vehicle anywhere and dash to the game. Again, tow 'em, no mercy (the enforcement people politely ask "...ticket or tow?").

gretta1

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 1:52 p.m.

I wish the article mentioned which neighborhood Mr. Ramsinghani moved into. Our neighborhood is probably too far away to be touched by this. Sometimes I feel my neighborhood is 'left out' but in this case, it's a blessing. People park on the street all the time in our neighborhood, even when they have driveways. Some use both. Usually if a car is sitting around long enough and no one recognizes it, we might start asking around before assuming it's an abandoned vehicle.

stunhsif

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 1:52 p.m.

Mahendra, If you still need a place to store your car during your vacation, see if Ryan J. Stanton will allow you to contact me and you can keep your car at my place. I live out in the country and have plenty of room for you to park your car, for free of course. There is no doubt a payoff going on somewhere, shame on Ann Arbor for allowing this to continue. If any car is plated legally and current, they should be able to park there for more than 48 hours. Go Green Go White

Bozo

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 1:49 p.m.

This is obviously driven by a neighbor complaint. Look for the old curmudgeon with the perfectly manicured lawn. Go talk to them. The idea the Brewer's is trolling any neighborhood is laughable.

ownrdgd

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 1:45 p.m.

So if I go away say for a week and leave MY car in MY driveway on MY property,they think they have a right to say its abandoned and tow it off MY property. Dream on mr city hall and trolling tow company. Come on my property without my permission when I am not around and you will be on the business end of my AK-47

Dog Guy

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 1:40 p.m.

How diligent of the mayor and council to take time from their re-election campaigns to transfer city duties to the county (with a $15 kickback). So next they may extend "Ann Arbor's effort to provide efficient service to our residents through intergovernmental cooperation" by turning police work over to the sheriff and fire protection to the National Weather Service.

drewk

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 1:39 p.m.

I work in the central campus area and see students cars parked for weeks at a time. I don't see them getting towed. Something is wrong with the "system".

Fred Stelson

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 1:39 p.m.

I think there is some kind of racket going on. I had a car have some trouble and parked legally beside the curb overnight . It was towed in less than 24 hours with an untrue claim it had been parked too near an intersection. Hard to prove once it has been towed. A picture with date/time should be a must.

A2James

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 1:38 p.m.

This is a scam, pure and simple. The towing companies should not have this type of power and lack of oversight! I have had cars towed for the same premise, even though I work downtown and my car(s) were only there between 4 and 8 hours. These towing companies will not put a notice on your car, they will just tow it in order to make more money. Ever notice tow trucks driving slowly throughout neighboorhoods, especially downtown? They are like vultures looking for the next kill. As stated in the article, it is not cost-effective or efficient to file a complaint in court. I would like to see this issue put to the voters, or maybe even some sort of class-action lawsuit. This has to stop. And Brewer's is one of the top offenders, as well.

Angry Moderate

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 1:28 p.m.

The exact same thing happened to me--I went on vacation for a 3-day weekend and my car was gone when I got back. This cost me $200. I was parked perfectly legally in a residential neighborhood with plenty of room for anyone who wanted to park there. How could the police possibly have determined that my car "appeared" abandoned LESS THAN 24 hours after I left?

annarboral

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 1:27 p.m.

I'm sure glad I live in Pittsfield Township. Hey, we have government that actually listens to and works with their citizens. What a concept! Maybe Ann Arbor should try it?

ViSHa

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 1:27 p.m.

This is probably not the case here, but I've had a note put in my mailbox by the USPS that they won't deliver mail if they can't easily pull up to the mailbox due to a car to close to it (not my car, which is irritating in itself---park in front of your own house--there was room). I agree with other posts, the charges are outrageous, at the very least it could be graduated based on frequency of offense.

A A Resident

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 1:25 p.m.

Shouldn't we be giving an award to people who use their cars less frequently, rather than penalizing them? Also, I'll bet the towing companies will tow for a lot less under their contracts with roadside assistance programs, like AAA, than they receive under the city contract.

Robert Katz

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 1:24 p.m.

This is a very sick joke but sadly not atypical of the nonsense that goes on in Ann Arbor on a daily basis. We live in a city which somehow has managed to defraud its own citizens and the world and has created a false glowing reputation that is simply untrue. In this instance all the money should be refunded together with damages. It is easy enough to determine the cars belong to a house they are parked near. We should not have any towing companies collecting cars except when contacted by city officials or police.

walker101

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 1:18 p.m.

The moral of the story is, never take a vacation without your car.

Lou Perry

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 1:06 p.m.

Towing companies in Ann Arbor are a racket. Know other city I know of has towing companies cruising streets to find cars to tow. It certainly not a welcome sign for Ann Arbor. The amounts charged to get your car out of jail are absorbent and the slight changes the city council has approved won't change that. Have an outstanding parking ticket, wave goodbye to your car. A onetime experience with my car towed was compatible to committing a major crime. Your car is towed and to get it back you must travel not a central location but one not easily gotten. When you come to get the car the people at the tow company act tougher than police. Demand to pay cash to get your car out of purgatory, with outlandish fee's makes it even more difficult. Why do they need cash? I'll leave that up to you to figure out. I suggest the city demand a financial statement by the towing company (they might be one of the most profitable business in A2). And why isn't there a bidding process rather than here you are?

TinyArtist

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 12:50 p.m.

"Just this morning, I saw a Brewer's Towing truck wandering around the neighborhood looking for more victims . . . " This method of "doing business" is an outrage, and has been for far too long.

Craig Lounsbury

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 12:47 p.m.

"Canell said he felt bad for Ramsinghani. As to how the towing came about, he said, there's no indication one way or another whether there was a complaint from a neighbor." So if you don't know how or why it got towed maybe you should give him his money back. Maybe the tow truck was trolling. If you don't have an explanation then what does that say about you and the system? What was your cut of the action? After all I could say ...." there's no indication one way or another whether there...." are kickbacks involved. Guy gets his car towed and the guy who should have some answers mysteriously doesn't have any answers.

Ron Granger

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 12:43 p.m.

Adrian is one of many cities which does not allow street parking after 2AM. Kalamazoo is another. The tow trucks clear the streets. That can be a big problem with out of town guests for special events. So, it can be worse.

Ron Granger

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 12:39 p.m.

The city needs to balance their increasing advocacy, and our investment, in alternative transportation - buses, biking and walking - with the fact that many houses in A2 have no driveway. That leaves street parking as the only option. You shouldn't need to worry about a tow when you go away for a weekend. For people who regularly take the bus and leave their car parked, it is easy to ignore your car for long periods of time. That *is* what the city is pushing, right? Leaving our cars at home? If the car has a valid registration, then it should not be towed. There are ways to do this better, and it needs to change along with our investment in car-alternatives.

RUKiddingMe

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 12:38 p.m.

Man, if Ramsinghani thinks this is bad, wait till he gets a gander at the price tag and location of the "public art." if he winds up buying a house instead of just renting, he's in for nothing but heartache. I don't see why the parking has to be "confusing" for people new to town; parking signs, if they follow the law/ordinance/whatever, are the same everywhere; don't park here between these hours. Fire hydrants and driveways, etc., have the same parking restrictions everywhere, don't they? Yellow and red curbs, etc. Nothing should be confusing about where and when you can and can't park, whether you're in Podunk Pennsylvania or Wall Street NYC. Is "parking referee" an official title? And since Mr. Canell is just ONE of them, how many does Ann Arbor have? And since people will now pay fees at the tow lot instead of the city police desk, that's even fewer people that will see the $150,000 public art INSIDE the Justice Center.

Sabra C Briere

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 12:37 p.m.

Two ordinances govern towing: Chapter 30: 2:87. - Vehicle abandonment. Any motor vehicle parked for 3 consecutive days in any parking lot or structure of the system, shall be deemed abandoned and may be removed by the city and impounded. Any motor vehicle otherwise parked in violation of this chapter, may be removed by the city from the parking lot or structure in which it is parked and impounded. Any vehicle so impounded by the city shall not be released to the owner until all parking charges, storing and towing charges shall have been paid by the owner. Chapter 126: Traffic Article XI Accidents 10:136. - Abandoned vehicles. (1) If a vehicle has remained standing or parked on public or private property for a period of time so that it appears to be abandoned, the city administrator may affix a written notice to the vehicle requiring its removal. (2) If a vehicle is not removed within 48 hours after the time the notice ordering its removal was affixed, the vehicle shall be deemed abandoned and the city administrator may take the vehicle into custody. (3) If a vehicle is taken into custody under this section, the Administrator shall act in accordance with the requirements of Section 252a of the State Motor Vehicle Code or, if the vehicle is an abandoned registered or unregistered scrap vehicle, in accordance with the requirements of Section 252b of the Motor Vehicle Code. (4) No person shall permit a vehicle registered to that person to remain standing or parked on public or private property more than 48 hours after the notice of subsection (1) has been affixed to the vehicle. (Ord. No. 3-82, 1-18-82; Ord. No. 34-92, § 2, 6-1-92)

Craig Lounsbury

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 12:36 p.m.

"This contract is another example of Ann Arbor's effort to provide efficient service to our residents through intergovernmental cooperation, Taylor said." I bet Mr. Ramsinghani didn't see his car getting towed as " efficient service".

ribs1

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 12:36 p.m.

"City officials didn't have statistics available for how many cars are towed each year in Ann Arbor, but they said it definitely numbers in the hundreds." Are they kidding? 1. They don't have records of how many cars are towed? 2. If you drive by Sakstrups or Brewers yards there are at least a few hundred cars at any one time. 3. I am sure that the numbers are far more than hundreds of cars towed per year.

Mark Wilson

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 12:36 p.m.

The link below is to an article about the effectiveness of issuing a warning before issuing a citation for illegal parking. I have to wonder (OK, I don't just wonder) if revenue, and not compliance, drives Ann Arbor's policy. Here's a quote http://www.parkingtoday.com/blog/2012/08/warnings-vs-citations-who-wins-this-battle/ "In the city of Dunedin the enforcement staff is writing about 15% fewer tickets but its not because they are writing so many warnings, its because after receiving a warning, people have a tendency to follow the rules." "Our aim is to get compliance, by warning someone first, rather than just issuing a ticket. The revenue has dropped … but, as I've always said, it's not how much money we're making."

Craig Lounsbury

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 12:32 p.m.

so the city wants everyone to take mass transit, or ride their bike to work. Trains, buses, bicycles, is the mantra out of city hall........ But if you don't move your car a few feet every 2 days it might cost you hundreds of dollars.

fjord

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 12:27 p.m.

Photo caption: "A Brewer's Towing truck in action on Friday." Apparently the "driverless car" experiment has made it to Ann Arbor, starting with its tow trucks.

Karen

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 12:26 p.m.

After wasting money on artwork, the city council has to come up with more money somehow. So now if I park my car in my own driveway that I own because I paid more for my house and land than it is now worth, and pay property taxes that have gone up by the maximum every year - the city can tow away my car? What about an RV parked in a driveway for the winter? Will that get towed because it wasn't moved? "Not much we can do about it" - well, voting the politiians out of office who authorized it might help.

Reason

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 12:23 p.m.

A couple years ago my car was towed from a street b/c I missed the sign saying you couldn't park there on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Fair enough--my error. But what made me angry was the literally HUNDREDS and HUNDREDS of dollars of fees that were imposed by the city and by Brewers to get my car back. And while standing at Brewer's, waiting to pick up my vehicle, I saw all the signs on there wall telling them where to troll and tow. They apparently have blanket orders to tow at various student housing sites on campus, without even being contacted. Just not right.

rusty shackelford

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 12:18 p.m.

There's a big difference between 48 total park time and 48 hours after being tagged with a complaint. The former is absolutely ridiculous; the latter seems perfectly reasonable. As far as I'm concerned, the city should ONLY be towing cars in response to complaints.

Ron Granger

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 12:14 p.m.

I once had a nasty neighbor who would try and get my car towed if it was parked on the street, and I went out of town. They would call the city as soon as they saw me loading up to leave, hoping that the tow would happen before I returned. They thought they "owned" the street parking for their multiple vehicles, even though it is public.

outdoor6709

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 12:14 p.m.

I thought profiting for the misery of the people was evil, according to the occupy AA types. As long as AA & Washtenaw county profit from towing, the tow trucks will maximize the # of cars they tow. I find it laughable that the major is so proud of the changes in the ordinance, changes that will not result in any benifit to the citizens.

Ron Granger

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 12:10 p.m.

"City officials said private tow companies don't have authority to proactively patrol neighborhoods and tow vehicles on behalf of the city without specific orders." But a tow company looking to drive profits can call those complaints in themselves, and then reap the rewards.

marzan

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 12:02 p.m.

48 hours? I'm glad that's not enforced in my neighborhood. Especially since I can go a week or two without moving or checking on my car because I take the bus. Heck, I've left both cars in the street for 2 weeks when we went on vacation. That would have been more expensive than my vacation. My neighbors are in the same boat. Folks leave their cars in the street for weeks and no one complains.

Jim Osborn

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 11:59 a.m.

What is so bad about the towing policy is that far too often, it is used when a parket should be used. I remember a few years ago when a girl at my church, a UM student, was in tears because she parked her car with the front end 2 feet past the "no Parkng past here" sign and she was towed. That should have been a $25 ticket, not a $200 towing charge that enriched a fat-boy towing company who has a "deal" with city hall. Towing is used far too often, with much of the money going to these firms, when a much smaller amount could be charged via a ticket and ALL of th money gong to the city. Better for all except the towing companies, and the state who gets a $40 or so admin fee. When a car i

HB11

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 11:55 a.m.

Here is an example of a vague law that penalizes and overcharges citizens. The outrageous storage fees plus the cost to fight the citation is excessive.

1bit

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 11:54 a.m.

"The simple question here is, why can't citizens decide if the cars in their neighborhood are abandoned?" Unfortunately for you, Mr. Ramsinghani, this is probably what happened. You have a neighbor that doesn't like cars on your street and maybe shiny new ones, like your Lexus, in particular. Lest people forget, the purpose of the hated ordinance (yes, my friends were burned by this as well) is to prevent people from treating the public street as their personal property. The ordinance prevents students, for example, from bringing a car and just parking it in front of your house for a week or a month. It prevents people, even your neighbors, from hogging all the street parking for themselves and their guests. Most people will move their car every few days (you usually won't get called on for a day or two, the city says they wait about three days to tow). Just park your car in your garage or driveway (not draping over the sidewalk, you'll get towed their too). Problem solved.

Billy

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 11:51 a.m.

Um...considering the location of their vehicles being towed. Someone either had to CALL them in to get them marked as abandoned....or someone from the city came by and targeted them and marked them as abandoned. Last I checked it wasn't city policy to go about scouring for "abandoned" vehicles so that only leaves a few possible options as to what happened. Either he has some vindictive neighbors that KNEW they were going on vacation and thus called their vehicles in.....OR someone from the cities Parking Enforcement division came by and marked their cars. Those are the ONLY possible options here...

average joe

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 11:45 a.m.

Does the person from the city that deems the vehicle 'abandoned' ever notice that the car was parked at the address of the registered owner ?

J R

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 11:42 a.m.

"Vehicles left parked on the street in the same spot for more than 48 hours can be deemed abandoned and towed." This same law applies in Pittsfield Twp/Saline. The difference is that Ann Arbor tends to enforce the rules. Pittsfield Twp will simply look the other way in some cases....in some cases not. In other words, Pittsfield Twp rules are selectively enforced.....Mahendra Ramsinghani must have been on the "exempt" list in Pittsfield Twp/Saline.......wonder why that was the case?

average joe

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 11:42 a.m.

"Canell said his job is to look at the merits of each case that comes across his desk and the reason why the car was towed. He said it's infrequent that a ticket is overturned." This case is one of those that should be overturned.

northside

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 11:38 a.m.

An 8-hour grace period on the storage fee? Wow, how generous. Government does a lot of good. But this is one of those instances where no one - city council members, parking referees - seems to have the slightest understanding of how infuriating the '48 hours and it gets towed' rule is. And the fees are outrageous. Oh, and there's one other bad guy here, one of the Ramsinghani's neighbors. Cars in the same spot for more than 48 hours is a common thing. One of your neighbors is not a nice person and made a call that is now costing you $825.

Joel A. Levitt

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 11:35 a.m.

It takes only a minute to identify the owner of a vehicle from its license plate. The regulation should be amended to require police to attempt to contact the vehicle's owner before tagging it. If someone is planning to park a vehicle legally for an extended period, then he or she can make a brief phone call to so inform the police.

Shi Schultz

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 11:31 a.m.

"Tow away zones" are typically for a reason! (Fire hydrants, emergency/utility access, handicap access) So you suggest ticketing a vehicle parked in a "tow away zone" in front of a fire hydrant and leave it sit there the rest of the day until the owner returns, while during this time the house across the street burns down and endangers lives because fire personal couldn't properly access the hydrant? I completely understand the frustrations of having a vehicle towed from a no parking zone, it seems completely pointless at times and something so little for the city to be concerned with, but with a city of 114,000 residents and another 30,000 +/- that travel on a daily basis, this could be a HUGE issue, fast. It's like the children's book; if you give a mouse a cookie. If the city where to even ignore a few violations, it would get out of hand faster than people think. Now, I do COMPLETELY disagree with the city even thinking of towing vehicles of my (private) property, they'd have a lawsuit on their hands faster than they could call there attorney. Lastly, tow companies do not have the right to be "trolling". More than likely they were there for a reason.

Nunya

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 11:26 a.m.

I call shenanigans!

vivian

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 11:18 a.m.

When I comment on this site, I usually try to avoid picking on poor usage, erroneous syntax, or bad grammar (no matter how great the temptation for a former editor), because I don't want to trivialize whatever issues an article is raising, but please! The expression you're referencing in your headline is 'toe[ing] the line." Maybe a play on words was intended, but I didn't see evidence of it--it just looks like a misunderstanding of the idiom. Are we reverting to an oral culture? Look up 'Lady Mondegreen'--your headline writers need to know that this sort of thing undermines your credibility & provides unintentional humor for readers who are still familiar with the conventions of written English. Not that we don't all produce the occasional typo, she said, covering herself in advance....

Sven49

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 11:12 a.m.

So under the city's humane new policy Mr. Ramsinghani's fines and charges would be $825 instead of... the $825 he was actually charged? I'm sure that makes him feel a lot better.

PC Stone

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 11:06 a.m.

I parked in a spot apparently too close to a hydrant during a football game. When my 8 year old son and I left at halftime we found the car missing. We had parked In the same spot several games prior but this time we were towed. There were many hours sorting the mess out and several hundred dollars. I found myself wondering why not just give me a ticket? What if I had been from out of town just for the game? Why did I feel like there was some sort of racket going on? The result is I am now very cautious when parking to make sure I haven't run afowl of any parking law. I also visit Ann Arbor as little as possible and spend my money elsewhere for dInner. There are friendlier places to visit. There ought to be a better way.

Gorc

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 10:50 a.m.

Did I read that accurately that the city can tow a car on both public and private property? So if someone parks their car in their own drive way and has not moved the car in two days, the city has the legal authority to tow it. Private property?

Goober

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 10:46 a.m.

Let's keep voting for the mayor and most of city council. They are doing an excellent job supporting our needs!

A A Resident

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 10:39 a.m.

"The ordinance the city argues Ramsinghani violated states if a vehicle has remained standing or parked on public OR PRIVATE PROPERTY "for a period of time so that it appears to be abandoned," the city can affix a notice to the vehicle requiring its removal. If a vehicle is not removed within 48 hours after the notice is affixed, the vehicle is deemed abandoned and the city can have it towed." ______________________ According to that ordinance, my car can be towed if I go on a five-day business trip, even if I leave it PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY? Wow. Just wow.

Dirtgrain

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 10:37 a.m.

I used to think that homeowner's associations were so much worse than city governments.

David

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 10:27 a.m.

Parking problems on Football Saturday have always been a big problem, but this kind of situation reeks of profiteering.

motorcycleminer

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 10:24 a.m.

" Parking wars " Ann Arbor...Welcome to OZ..under it's glistening dome it still has a " cash and carry " parking mentality... be it above ground , underground or in front of your own home....

Nick Danger

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 10:23 a.m.

What has the city done about the outragous towing fees? A car is towed a few blocks and the fee is a couple of hundred dollars.It appears as though the city works in concert with the predatory towing companies at the expense of the citizens. Towing companies should be prohibited from trolling for business. I am not advocating illegal parking just a more humane approach. Why not first give a hundred dollar ticket for those who park in tow away zones and have the punishment fit the crime.Lastly,let the city outlaw trolling predatory towing companies

aa1940

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 10:21 a.m.

Can't they park in their driveway ??