My GW Towing Incident

[MatteoRocks]

So I went down to the old Foggy Bottom campus last Saturday to put some time into my paper. I decide to try and park on the street instead of paying for garage parking. So I begin to circle the block, and bahm. A Short Short spot which a sedan subaru couldn't squeeze into was mine...after what looked like a scene out of Austin Powers, I was able to squeeze my hatchback into the super tight spot.

Here's a shot of where my car WAS parked...do you see any signage on this tree? Me neither....

Ok so, happy, car is secure, I check the street parking sign, and I am clear to park, legally (only restrictions are no parking during business days, and this was a saturday)..

Yadda yadda yadda, I get back around 2, as it was a beautiful day for some backyard fun at the Devins', and my car, along with all the others which parked around it, was gone.

Here I am standing basically where my car was parked:

I consult with the University Police Officer who was diligently overseeing the car removal process, and he points at the one sign which now was affixed at the very lamp post I had looked at when I parked in the firts place (that sign was not there!):

Fortunatley the tow guy who moved my car 10 blocks away was just around the corner, and came back to let me know the exact new location.

So not only did A) I get a big scare when I saw my car was GONE, and B) Get ticketed for illgally parking but C) The tow guy damaged my care whlie trying to jimmy the door to probably release the parking break or put it in neutral!!!!

See the exhibits A, B and C:

I think this was a lazy last minute sign posting attempt on the part of the District Parking Services Department. I know this not for sure, but only by default because so far UPG (university parking garage services), UPD (university police department) and Marvin Center Event Planning Office have washed their hands of any responsibility.

Moral of the story: PAGY THE MONEY to PARK IN THE FREEKING GARAGE!!!!!

Next Stop: Office of Abjudication to contest my Parking Ticket...stay tuned.

[becchima]

UPDATE: So remember how I threw a "Hale Mary" when I sent Mayor Fenty (I call him Adrian now) an e-mail complaining about this?... Well I actually got an initial response! As follows:


"May 7, 2008

Mr. Matteo Becchi

801 blah blah Street
Blah, State Zip

Dear Mr. Becchi:

This is to acknowledge receipt of your correspondence to Mayor Adrian Fenty.

Your concern(s) has been forwarded to the appropriate administration within DMV for review. Your correspondence has been assigned DMV tracking number (######). Please refer to this number when referencing this request.

If you receive no contact or reply from this agency within 30 business days, please call

(202) XXX-XXXX.

Sincerely,

DC Department of Motor Vehicles"


Sooooo...who knows - not holding my breath. I think I will attempt the Abjudication Court next week, just in case.

Here's hoping for the System to work though!