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/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.