Recently, a friend and I met to see an event in Salt Lake City. My friend parked his truck in the lot where the Lowes Hardware store used to be, and when we returned, we found it had been towed and $250 cash was required to release the vehicle. When we asked how this was even legal, we were told there are "signs warning people it's a tow-away zone." I found the signs, which were very small and unnoticeable in the dark, and the wording didn't make it clear that all cars parked in the lot would be towed — only "illegally parked" and "unauthorized" vehicles. Well, why would anyone assume they were "unauthorized," or parking illegally, in a parking lot?
As I investigated further, I found this has been going on for years and that many people have complained about the underhanded and predatory tactics of the towing companies. Sandy City has stood idly by and allowed this to continue without interference. They cannot say they're unaware of the problem.
If the property owner truly doesn't want vehicles parking on its lot, then it should both rope off the entrances and place very large signs stating that any vehicles left in the lot will be towed away. Sandy City should require more effort on the part of the landowners and tow companies to make tow zones clear. The current situation takes advantage of the average citizen's expectation that a parking lot is intended for parking vehicles.
Galen Jackson
West Jordan