Parking Advice for Philadelphians

If you want free parking with no repercussions in Philadelphia, park where the Philadelphia Police have posted signs that say “No Parking.” It works. Here’s why I know:

Yesterday, my friend had police signs posted in front of her house so that the moving truck could pull up to her curb. The signs were bright red with the words “No Parking” in huge letters and had been up since the night before. Only problem? Four cars were parked in the No Parking area. And in Philadelphia, no one cared.

The PD non-emergency number was called. They said they’d send a car over. Thirty minutes later and no Philadelphia Police. Meanwhile, the moving truck was on 18th Street with three movers waiting — on the clock. When she called back, the Philadelphia Police had no record of the call. And they said they’d send a car. Thirty more minutes, no police car. Another call, another promise, and no police. Nothing.

After a 4th call the dispatcher said she’d send a car in 5 minutes. Riiiiggght. After 20 more minutes — that’s a total of nearly 2 hours — a very nice Philadelphia police officer came. Looked over the situation. Looked up the license plates…and said, “I could call Philadelphia Police Towing, but it’ll be hours.” In other words, there was nothing to be done. In fairness, she wrote tickets for the cars, but that was it. Nuts.

What kind of city do we live in? I mean, I can’t imagine this happening in NYC or Chicago. First, the police would come when called. Second, they would tow those jerks in a second. Not Philadelphia.

Guess what the movers had to do? They had to park the semi across the street and carry an entire house worth of furniture across the traffic of 18th Street. Total and complete craziness.

I must say that I’m ashamed of this city sometimes. Yesterday was one of those.

Posted on September 5, 2008
Filed Under Frank's World | Comments

Comments

  • Tell her next time to call Lincoln Park Towing, the company made famous by Steve Goodman. Even though they are based in Chicago, given their reputaion I am sure they would have been there in less than an hour.
  • Rick, I was thinking about the Lincoln Park Pirates, too. And our friend is heading that way. No problem getting cars towed in Chi-Town.
  • Youch. Ah, Philly. We just wouldn't be the same without your total ineptitude and bureaucracy.
  • So true. It was astonishing to watch that unfold and realize there's not a damn thing to be done. It's all apathy and bureaucracy. In fact, the Parking Authority wouldn't help, or ticket the cars when we flagged them down. They said when the signs are up, it's a police problem. Total passing of the buck. We need this city to work better. I love it here, but this kind of stuff drives me nuts.
  • Absolutely amazing. Makes me want to get a job in Philadelphia city government.
  • Howard, I spent the day railing and saying things like that. I would love to be in a gov't position with real authority and make things work. This one certainly didn't.
  • We got robbed recently from our MAC Machine and the Police were of very little help. That's the Philly Po-Po for you.
  • See, that's the part that scares me. When they let the "little" things go, like illegally parked cars, then they start letting things go like ROBBERY. Gosh, I'm sorry about that for you...and I expect A LOT more from our police force. It's about caring, and it's about doing what's right. That has to start at the top.
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