Letters to the Editor: December 1 – 7, 2016

Predatory Towing Going On at Winter Hill

Editor,

I am objecting to the new predatory towing practices in the Winter Hill area of S. Virginia Ave. and James St. Nine p.m. to 6 a.m.? Seven day a week? Parking on the streets requires a permit or a limited guest pass. It is stated that residents of the Winter Hill Apartments can park in their lot, but they also need a resident sticker or a limited, in advance, guest pass. I do not even have a car but I have family members who visit me very rarely and often on an impromptu basis.

Last month, my daughter in one car and my brother and elderly mother in another car visited me; entirely unplanned. Wow, they overstayed their “curfew.” My daughter left about 9:20 p.m. My brother drove to the store, then came back to take my mother home, about 10:20 p.m. He was helping me change a light bulb in the entryway as the tow truck came. He told them he was just leaving and they backed off, but he was upset. I said it was predatory towing and the driver said, “You want parking, don’t you?” I said, “I don’t even have a car but I have my mother and brother visiting.” He said, “They visit after 10?” I said “Why not?” Is there a curfew?” He said “This is my property,” as he drove off.

There is no problem parking in this lot. Most residents are elderly and have no cars. There were many open spaces, as usual; more open spaces than occupied.

There have always been signs and restrictions in this lot, but in four years, I have never seen towing enforced; and for no reason before.
The new policy looks like someone is trying to fix a problem that did not exist, or, gain profit and revenue. I do not want this to come at the expense of my family members who might, on rare occasion, drop in to visit and unexpectedly overstay “curfew.”

We are not loud, unless someone comes predatory towing! As many F.C. residents know, predatory towing has been a popular sport in the shopping centers of the area.

This feels oppressive.

Laura Hartwick

Falls Church

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