Very Clever, City of Knoxville...

[Michael]

So, I attended the Festival of Lights on Friday. Gay Street was adorned with "Temporary No Parking - Tow Away Zone" signs and, sure enough, the street was closed at around 5:00 pm. Dozens of cars remained parked haphazardly along the street. I waited with giddy anticipation, but NO TOW TRUCKS CAME. The little kiddie train ran up and down the street, carefully avoiding collision with the legacy violators along its route

Was this ruse a cruel joke on me? Or is the City trying to engender a false sense of security by permitting scofflaws to remain on the street when they should have rightfully been towed? Curious, isn't it? Perhaps the City is merely setting up for the big haul on December 7, the day of the Christmas parade, by lulling the public into a careless stupor with empty threats. If so, this tactic is perhaps the most devious to date. Or was it merely an oversight?

Time will tell.
~m.

[Hank IV]

Tow truck guys probably slack. Day of the Veterans Day parade I watched as they towed eight. Cycle cops swooped in, stood next to car, wrote tickets and called tow trucks. All over in 30 minutes. And really, the cars parked UNDER the "you will be towed signs"....

[Michael]

Yeah. I know someone who was towed on Veteran's Day. Doubtful that it was slack by the tow trucks. Those guys are masters. But the cops have to authorize the towing. Didn't see a one (except at closed intersections). Usually when the "Temporary No Parking - Tow Away Zone" signs go up over the "No Parking Any Time - Tow Away Zone" signs, you can bet on action. It's like adding the caveat: "No, really this time."

Something is amiss here. When you can't trust your own city to make good on threats to tow, this crazy mixed-up world just got a little less predictable. I'm very suspicious of my government right now.
~m.

[Hayduke]

What happened to the little sign they used to add with the date and time of the temporary parking ban? Granted they cut down significantly on the action, but the remaining hits were so much more satisfying.

[Michael]

What happened to the little sign they used to add with the date and time of the temporary parking ban? Granted they cut down significantly on the action, but the remaining hits were so much more satisfying.

That clarity, so far as I can tell, was applied in a very limited sense. I haven't seen a temp sign with any details in quite some time (last spring?). In any case, it's never been consistent. I think a few years ago when the City posted signs that it was going to begin towing at 5:00 p.m. in front of the brewpub for a parade, and then actually began towing cars at 4:00 p.m., may have discouraged the City from being too specific (that particular fail was epic; business owners were livid). Getting whomever is responsible for ordering the signs (Special Events?), the "Signal Shop" (who places the signs), and KPD on the same page must require too much coordination and cooperation among city departments. It's like rocket surgery.

It would seem that, given the frequency of these events (multiple times a year), that there would be a predictable pattern. But it's like every time is a new adventure. Some people are going to get towed, no matter what (I have been, due to my own carelessness). But fair and consistent warning (and consistent action) seems beyond the capabilities of the City.
~m.

[shady lane]

in re predictable pattern: two years ago (or last year?), i got towed off gay, even though there were no signs on the block i was parked (between church and cumberland). i know, because i looked really hard for them to make sure there weren't any before i parked there. checked both sides of the street. it did not save me.

postscript: when i signed the receipt saturday morning for my car, the guy behind the plexiglass looked at me with genuine disgust and told me i had "the signature of a serial killer." before i'd even had my coffee.

[Hank IV]

Stop parking on Gay. There, problem solved. You're welcome.

[Michael]

Stop parking on Gay. There, problem solved. You're welcome.

I would imagine that is the conclusion at least a few guests of the impound lot have come to.
~m.

[shady lane]

i feel i should note that about six weeks ago, with shockingly little effort on my part, a KPD officer went out of his way to provide me an unasked-for refund for an erroneous ticket a cadet issued to my legally parked car. most of my dealings with the city and its police have been positive.

[Hayduke]

i feel i should note that about six weeks ago, with shockingly little effort on my part, a KPD officer went out of his way to provide me an unasked-for refund for an erroneous ticket a cadet issued to my legally parked car. most of my dealings with the city and its police have been positive.

Well yeah, they've seen your signature, Dexter.