Would you have someone towed if? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

kevman · 08-08-2008, 09:51 AM

Would you have someone towed if their vehicle was left "abandoned" on your front street with no registration?

I'm in the middle of a dilema... there is this van parked on my front street. It's been there long before I moved in and clearly hasn't moved in years. The front passenger tire is flat, the van is FULL with storage to the point where even the driver seat is covered and finally the registration on the license plate expired in Feb '07. It's a busy street that is usually full so this van is taking up a potential parking spot.

I looked in to it and based on the expired registration and the "abonded" status I can file a complaint to have them put a warning sticker and eventually tow it. I honestly don't know how it has remained there this long but there is a signage gap making it the only spot in blocks that doesn't require a permit.

Anyways, I don't know what to do. I don't know why it bothers me so much but it really does. I have a permit, a garage and plenty of parking behind my place so I'm never stuck for a spot but something about walking by this van to and from work bugs me. I don't want to be "that guy" that complains but something inside me wants to make the call...

So I ask you, would you have this "storage container" marked for towing?

Rathji · 08-08-2008, 09:58 AM

I would call and report it, but I am bitter and jaded.

Locke · 08-08-2008, 10:07 AM

What kind of time frame are we really talking about here? If you seriously mean years then probably, yeah.

Although, I might have some fun first like spray paint the thing neon green or something and see what happens.

Nobody can reasonably expect to leave a decrepit vehicle out on the street for storage for that length of time. If it was on his property I probably wouldnt care, but it would only take one day of me coming home after a bad day and not being able to find a parking spot to make the call.

Byrns · 08-08-2008, 10:08 AM

I would've called after 30 days. Sounds like an eyesore.

Resolute 14 · 08-08-2008, 10:09 AM

If the registration expired a year and a half ago, I suspect it hasnt moved since then. I would call and have it towed. It sounds like it is an eyesore that most people in the neighbourhood probably don't want to see.

ricoFlame · 08-08-2008, 10:09 AM

heck yeah, get that thing out of there.

red sky · 08-08-2008, 10:10 AM

Has the city ever cleaned your streets before?

Russic · 08-08-2008, 10:10 AM

yes, you have every right to two that bad-boy. Get on it!

Gozer · 08-08-2008, 10:11 AM

Let it stay there forever.

browna · 08-08-2008, 10:13 AM

Don't blame Tony Micelli for Angela kicking him and Sam out.
They have to live somewhere.

http://bp0.blogger.com/_tLnuYdQbonk/...600-h/Boss.jpg

fredr123 · 08-08-2008, 10:17 AM

Another vote for reporting the vehicle. I too am a bit bitter and jaded.

The wife and I spend a lot of time keeping our yard in good shape. We water and mow regularly. We plant flowers all over the place and weed them all the time. We sweep our sidewalk and driveways.

Others in our neighborhood haven't bothered to get sod yet. Maybe they're waiting for the builder to put that stuff down but in the mean time they let thigh-high weeds grow all over the place. Not cool. We also have people who haven't got their driveways poured yet and park their junky cars and work vehicles all over the street. Nothing illegal about that, I suppose, but it certainly doesn't do anything for the aesthetics of the neighborhood. And if that guy parks his truck on my grass one more time...

Locke · 08-08-2008, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gozer

Let it stay there forever.

Its become a community landmark now. Just set it on fire and get all the neighbors together for a weenie roast and s'mores.

mykalberta · 08-08-2008, 10:18 AM

I would put a courtesy note ont he widshield for 15 days saying if the vehicle isnt moved it will be towed. Its in clear violation of city Bylaws.

habernac · 08-08-2008, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red sky

Has the city ever cleaned your streets before?

the city doesn't bother towing anyone anymore, they just leave the vehicles there and all the gravel with it. Drives me crazy. Then again, they didn't even put up the street cleaning signs 24 hours before they did it in my neighbourhood this year.

Yeah, I'd have it towed.

Nancy · 08-08-2008, 10:28 AM

In my opinion, I would report any vehicle that is parked on the street that doesn't have valid registration regardless of how long it's been there (years or days).

sec304 · 08-08-2008, 10:29 AM

Here's what I did to a car parking in front of my house... put something under the windshield wiper that looks like a ticket or warning message... I just used a flyer... the next day it was gone, so I knew that someone was in fact at least looking after their car there even though it didn't seem to move for weeks... I realize your situation is different, but it might be a good idea to see how long it stays under the wiper to see if anyone even cares about this van

tvp2003 · 08-08-2008, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mykalberta

I would put a courtesy note ont he widshield for 15 days saying if the vehicle isnt moved it will be towed. Its in clear violation of city Bylaws.

Yes, I would agree with a courtesy note. More of a CYA type thing, when some idiot inevitably starts complaining that his van full of junk is missing.

red sky · 08-08-2008, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by habernac

the city doesn't bother towing anyone anymore, they just leave the vehicles there and all the gravel with it. Drives me crazy. Then again, they didn't even put up the street cleaning signs 24 hours before they did it in my neighbourhood this year.

Yeah, I'd have it towed.

Really? In my area they still tow the vehicle but come to think of it they tow it back to the area with a hefty ticket... well maybe not too hefty

burn_baby_burn · 08-08-2008, 10:45 AM

Stuff like this bothers me as well. Although I'm the kind of guy that won't call and complain. I'll just let it bother me forever. My advice is to call. What harm could it do?

Once in a while people will park in front of my driveway. That really drives me up the wall. In that situation I'm not scared to say anything and I let the explicits fly.

ken0042 · 08-08-2008, 10:49 AM

As somebody who has parked a "spare" vehicle on the street for an extended period of time, I can say that I at least made sure to keep the registration current, tires inflated (one did have a slow leak), and left it with the appearance that it was indeed driveable. I also moved it when the street cleaning signs came out.

That was also on a residential street with all sorts of parking around; never mind the one "sweet spot" where people can park longer.

Call the city, and make sure you mention that the vehicle has been parked without current plates for months. By law if the person lives within a certain distance (something like 100 metres) he can keep the car on the street. But they do have to keep the registration current.

The other thing with no current registration- I would guess it may not have insurance either. Which means if it suffers some mechanical failure like the parking brake slipping; whoever it hits will be out a deductable at best, or even possibly cause injury.