Athens police called the towing of 32 cars on Mill Street during Palmerfest inconsiderate yet legal, but angered car owners say police violated a 24-hour notice policy.
The Athens Police Department posted temporary signs in buckets and on utility polls on Friday at 8 a.m. ' 24 hours before cars would be considered illegally parked ' in compliance with city regulations, Capt. Tom Pyle said. The parking ban was enforced to prevent vandalism that occurred in the past, including cars being keyed and set on fire, he said.
(The cars) were illegally parked
Pyle said. We met the letter of the law to tow the cars legally but we did it inconsiderately.
In the future, officers will try to improve communication between police and residents through e-mail notification to OU students, contact with the organizers of Palmerfest, media announcements and fliers distributed prior to the event, Pyle said.
We weren't trying to hassle students he said, adding that the closing was meant to provide a safe environment for pedestrians and prevent vandalism.
Five local towing companies began removing cars after being notified by the Athens police at about 8 a.m. Saturday, said an employee at Athens Transmissions on Hebbardsville Road.
Ohio University senior Matthew Gebhart left his car parked on the street Friday night while visiting his girlfriend, who lives on Mill Street. When he walked outside to move his car the next morning, it was gone.
I stood there in shock
Gebhart said.
Gebhart received a $117 towing fee and a ticket, which was later waived. He plans to contest the fee with Pyle.
Jenny Hudak, an Ohio University senior who lives at 78 Mill St., had to search for her visiting friend's towed car at an impound.
Hudak described the experience as really surreal.
Residents complained that they were not properly warned of the parking changes and said the signs were small ' about a square foot.
Senior Nikki Kasmer, who lives at 81 Mill St., said she received a text message from a friend warning her to move her car Friday. When she awoke Saturday morning, the block was empty.
She said the police told her several cars were flipped last year at Palmerfest and that the parking limitations were a precaution.
Another resident of Mill Street whose car was towed said police did not put signs up until Friday afternoon, violating the 24-hour notice protocol. The resident, an OU senior, parked his car Friday night and received a citation at 8:11 a.m. Saturday. Curtis Towing towed the car for $117, and he paid an additional $20 for the citation.
He said the towing was unnecessary and really wasn't keeping his car from harm. The student declined to be named because he has contacted a lawyer and plans to take legal action.
Six people came in to confront Pyle about the towing, Pyle said. He added that residents had some legitimate concerns about how APD handled the citations, but each will still have to pay the towing and citation fees.
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Jessie Balmert
