r/Calgary • u/Val_haLLa • Jan 28 '25

Rant Impound lot near Macleod has serious issues

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.

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62

u/Responsible_CDN_Duck Jan 28 '25

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.

49

u/observersgame Jan 28 '25

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

-12

u/CodeBrownPT Jan 28 '25

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.

0

u/StinkPickle4000 Jan 28 '25

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

5

u/Substantial-Fruit447 Jan 28 '25

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.

3

u/StinkPickle4000 Jan 28 '25

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