Issues with Parking Policy

March 2007 issue

Parking Services: There needs to be a policy change regarding parking services and parking in surface lots. From time to time, the mirror tag will fall off or become obscured by snow, etc. When this happens, Parking Services has you car towed. Before a car can be towed, the lot monitors have to call Parking Services to get permission to tow the car. When they make this call, there is no reason why Parking Services cannot look in the computer to confirm that it does or does not have a valid permit. When you fill out the Parking Permit Application, you have to provide not only your name and payment info, but you have to provide your department, telephone/contact info, car make & model and LICENSE PLATE NUMBER. Since this information is on file and readily available to Parking Services personnel, the policy MUST be changed to have the license plate number & permit confirmed BEFORE a car can be towed. Parking Services can issue warnings to permit holders, but permit holders should be given the benefit of the doubt, because LIFE HAPPENS and the penalties should not be so excessive.

Response

Source: Amelia Ballard
Title: Manager
Unit/Department: Parking Services
Extension: 5-7275

Response: To Whom It May Concern: Parking Services has rules that are followed on a daily basis regarding towing of the vehicles in the lots. The lot checker first checks in the vehicle for a hangtag. If no hangtag is found, as a courtesy, the lot checker calls Parking Services for a plate check to see if the license plate number has been registered with the office. All license plates provided on applications are entered into a database. If the license plate is not found in the database, then Phillips Towing is called for the vehicle to be towed. Warnings are given only if the plate has been registered and is in the database. Parking Services works to ensure that only permit holders use DePaul parking lots and it is up to the individual parker to provide accurate information about their vehicle(s) and to read the parking Rules and Regulations.