By Bryon Wells
Arizona Daily Wildcat
October 30, 1997

Park at your own risk

Chris Richards Arizona Daily Wildcat A driver with C&G Towing waits outside the Carls Jr. on Park Avenue to tow away the cars of students who "park and walk" to class, a violation of the restaurant's parking policy. An average of two cars a day are towed from the lot, said the restaurant manager.

Students who think they've found free parking at local restaurants and stores may have another thing coming.

"Park and walk" students who leave their cars at the near campus Carl's Jr. restaurant, run the risk of having their vehicles towed, said Katina Morton , head manager.

"We have tried really hard to be good," she said, "but at the same time, I'm trying to run a business here."

Buying a soft drink, then leaving your car in the parking lot to go to class does not make you a customer, Morton said.

Morton said customers are given at least 45 minutes to use the parking lot, and admitted that she has even given non-customers as much as 30 minutes to use the lot, if it is clear that they're not on their way to class.

Morton said an average of two cars a day are towed from the Carl's Jr. lot, 1001 N. Park Ave. She said some drivers have had their cars towed on one day and been back again.

Morton said Arizona law requires that businesses post a minimum of two signs on the property, clearly stating the parking policy and towing company who will help enforce it.

The restaurant has copies of two different signs posted on various points on the property, listing the terms of customer parking and the consequences of violation.

The first sign reads, "If you park and leave these premises your vehicle will be towed immediately."

The other lists the maximum amount of towing charges and storage fees that could be incurred:

• $100 towing during office hours.
• $125 towing after office hours.
• $35 paper work fee.
• $25 after hours gate fee.
• $ 8 storage per day plus tax.

   

Gayle Ward of C&G Towing, 85 W. Blacklidge Drive, said the company has a contract with Carl's Jr. to enforce the parking regulations.

The company has monitors posted in the parking lot which time those who park their cars and leave, Ward said. Non-customers are usually given 30 minutes to return before their cars are towed, Ward added.

Ward would not specify the total number of cars towed from businesses around campus a day.

Ward said students park at their own risk.

"They don't care, they are choosing to park there, they see the signs," he said.

C&G tow trucks are seen often driving around near the businesses the company has towing arrangements with. Morton said C&G Towing has a similar agreement with other businesses around campus.

Luis Silverio, general manager of the Taco Bell at 1818 E. Speedway Blvd. said the restaurant uses C&G. He said people often park in the restaurant's lot, then go to Dirtbag's, a neighboring tavern.

Silverio said the nearby Burger King and McDonald's restaurants have the same arrangement with C&G Towing.

Bill Aimich Sr., a graduate speech student, said that he was in the Carl's Jr. restaurant last week while a truck was in the parking lot, about to hitch up a car.

"The manager asked people in the place if that was anybody's car," he said.

Nobody claimed it and the car was towed.