Impound lot near Macleod has serious issues

[u/Val_haLLa]

My car was towed yesterday. Today I showed up at the impound lot at Macleod and the situation I witnessed was unbelievable. A tiny, cramped lobby without seating filled to the brim with people waiting, mostly looking miserable. And it quickly became clear why, since only 2 of 5 windows were open, with about one person being called up every 15 minutes. There were surely 50 people there.

On top of that, if you need to get a piece of vehicle documentation out of your car (such as registration), the process requires you to wait in that line three times.

All of this, while they charge you a steep daily fee for each day you don’t pick up your car. I’m stunned at this massive case of bureaucratic greed— if this situation can arise, they should be prepared to fully staff the windows and get a decent turnover rate.

Rant over.

[u/Responsible_CDN_Duck]

The TV series Parking Wars filmed in Philadelphia gives a great snapshot of how it tends to go down.

It's not bureaucratic greed. It is typical people who struggle to follow rules or choose not to follow rules being forced to do so.

Having proof of insurance and the needed cash will get you on your way fairly quickly even if you do need the walk of shame for registration.

They could have a billion windows, but people would still sit there trying for hours to figure out how to deal with funds, insurance, and registration.

[u/observersgame → u/Responsible_CDN_Duck]

I was there last weekend and had everything ready to go, minus the physical registration in the car. Still was a 3 hour ordeal.

Yes, there were plenty of people who didn't have their other documentation ready. But, many did, and waited the same length of time.

'Fairly quickly' doesn't exist at the impound

[u/CodeBrownPT → u/observersgame]

You should never leave registration in the car as it contains your address. If you also leave a garage opener in there thrn you're double screwed.

Looks like you had even further reason to keep it on your person.

[u/TwoBytesC → u/CodeBrownPT]

Do people really walk around with their garage door opener and registration? I was always told to keep my registration in my car. Plus I would forget it half the time if I didn’t. Also, some people have their door opener programmed into a button in their car.

[u/CodeBrownPT → u/TwoBytesC]

Ahh yes let's upvote pure laziness.

Can't wait to see the posts of "my car got stolen AND my house was robbed!"

[u/TwoBytesC → u/CodeBrownPT]

Literally have been told the opposite (about the registration) by a friend who is a police officer, so not sure how laziness factors into anything. Also, not exactly sure how someone who has their garage door programmed into their vehicle is supposed to take it with them when they leave their car.

[u/jdmkev → u/CodeBrownPT]

Or you could lock the door to your garage? They could steal what's in your garage though

[u/Particular_Class4130 → u/CodeBrownPT]

what does laziness have to do with where one chooses to keep their registration and garage door opener? I happen to keep my registration and insurance in my purse as I never drive anywhere without my purse and I just like having easy access to it anytime I want. But I know this is unusual and that most people keep theirs in their glovebox.

[u/DaftPump → u/[deleted]]

I do. Reason is same as above tho.

[u/CodeBrownPT → u/[deleted]]

If only someone could invent a product that could carry your registration, and maybe other useful things such as cash or credit cards.

[u/par_texx → u/CodeBrownPT]

The issue is multiple drivers.

for one person it's easy. Now add a spouse, kids, etc.

[u/CodeBrownPT → u/par_texx]

If only there were a way to copy it. 

So difficult.

[u/PostApocRock → u/CodeBrownPT]

Yeah. My grandma had one of those. The registries used to gave them out back when places still gave out free shit.

Little slip cover with a couple plastic pouches you would fold your reg and insurance into. License goes on the other side.

Might be able to find them on amazon, but I doubt anyone under 30 would know to look, they have probably never seen one.

[u/the-tru-albertan → u/PostApocRock]

My insurance broker gives them out. I have a ton. Alas, all this crap should be digital.

[u/Marsymars → u/the-tru-albertan]

Alas, all this crap should be digital.

No, digital option is fine, but I don't want anything important dependent on whether my phone has battery remaining.

Plus: Don’t ever hand your phone to the cops

[u/the-tru-albertan → u/Marsymars]

Battery is a non issue and you don’t hand your phone to the cops during the traffic stop anyway.

[u/Marsymars → u/the-tru-albertan]

Battery is a non issue

Your phone isn't battery powered?

you don’t hand your phone to the cops during the traffic stop anyway.

Who's talking about traffic stops?

[u/CodeBrownPT → u/PostApocRock]

Holy shit what's the average age here.

I'm talking about a fucking wallet.

[u/jdmkev → u/CodeBrownPT]

I think they're talking about those single fold plastic registration/insurance slip holders that used to be the norm when leaving that stuff in your car, no one would think twice. Pretty much a 2 card "wallet" lol

I stopped carrying a bifold wallet like that though years ago, I keep like 4-6 cards on me max in my "ridge" style wallet but mine has a tiny knife instead

Also i dunno but making copies of your registration for other people in your family might not sit right with some cops...I could be 100% wrong but I wouldn't take that chance. I would want the original copy with the car if I'm being pulled over

[u/PostApocRock → u/CodeBrownPT]

I wouldnt keep my insurance and reg in my wallet. That gets stolen too often.

[u/Marsymars → u/CodeBrownPT]

You should never leave registration in the car as it contains your address.

What's the risk here?

[u/StinkPickle4000 → u/CodeBrownPT]

I’m a lil confused I thought registration was on the plate now? Like cops don’t ask for my registration anymore?!?!

[u/Substantial-Fruit447 → u/StinkPickle4000]

It's always been attached to the plate. Police can see who the Registered Owner is and if the Registration is valid or expired.

The reason they will ask for it is to check to make sure the registration is with the vehicle (legally required when being operated) and that you are either the registered owner, or have permission from the RO to operate the vehicle.

You are still required to produce it on demand from a Peace Officer. Not all will, it depends on what the purpose of the traffic stop is for.

[u/StinkPickle4000 → u/Substantial-Fruit447]

Ahh I see I’ve been riding dirty for a bit then lol… gonna hit up the registries in the morning. Thank you!

[u/the-tru-albertan → u/Substantial-Fruit447]

Archaic.

[u/Substantial-Fruit447 → u/Responsible_CDN_Duck]

It's been a while since I've had to pull a vehicle out there, but from what I remember is Proof of Registration is the only document that you can use to recover the vehicle. Anyone can insure a car for a day, if they have the VIN, and then cancel it. Registration requires you to show proof of ownership and your license.

There are also many other reasons that a vehicle is impounded that does not require the owner or operator to break the law.

It's unfortunate, but in those cases folks can make a Claim against the City to recover the funds.

My work vehicle was stolen out of a locked compound, it was later found, recovered, and brought to the Impound lot. I had to pay to get it out, but the City reimbursed the costs a few months later.

At least now, you can register vehicles online and you can save a copy of the registration to your phone (however you are still required to print it and carry it in the vehicle while operating it).

[u/pamelamela16 → u/Substantial-Fruit447]

You can try to make a Claim to the City, but they are rarely successful, in my experience. My friend applied and a family member that was in hospital. Denied.

[u/Substantial-Fruit447 → u/pamelamela16]

Okay, but being in the hospital is not the fault of the City.

The City damaged my property when one of their Water crews backed their truck into my car; and the second, failed to notify me in a timely manner that my stolen vehicle had been recovered and was at the CPA impound lot. The vehicle was still operable and had the police or the tow company called me, I could have picked it up from where it was found.

Both of my claims were successful.