On Saturday Dec. 27th my wife & I, who are both right around 50 years of age, took a one day vacation to Columbus. We live near Cortland, Ohio (about 20 miles north of Youngstown).
Our general itinerary for the day was to attend a reptile show on the west side, then to go enjoy the city for the rest of the afternoon, and then to dinner in the German village. I remembered that there were some interesting art galleries & small shops on High St. Just on the east side of O.S.U. Campus, so we went there and browsed a few of the stores. We happened upon a pet shop on the corner of E. 13th St. & Pearl (near High St.).
We were in the pet store about ten minutes and upon our departure, we discovered that our vehicle had been stolen.in a panic, I went back into the pet store to call the police, only to be notified by the owner that it was probably towed away by Shamrock towing, as I had inadvertently parked across the street in the parking area for an apartment building owned by GAS Properties.
It was at this point when our nightmare began. You must understand that my wife is a legally blind, semi invalid, diabetic suffering from acute neuropathy. She left her coat in the car, as well as some frogs that she had purchased at the reptile show and her insulin. I called the towing company and was informed that I could pick up my vehicle at their storage yard on Hamlet St. For a fee of $ 109.40.
At that point, I did call the police, and was told that they could not help. The pet store owner said that the tow trucks patrol the area like vultures, and provided directions (as my map of Columbus was also in the car), and we started walking. We arrived after an arduous walk of fourteen blocks in the cold at shamrock towing.
I provided identification, proof of ownership and paid the pirates, (cash only) then gathered my totally exhausted wife into the car & drove home for 3 hours. I made the mistake of parking on their property; (I didn't see the faded sign that was 50 feet away). The sign in question referenced O.R.C. 4513.60. (Which I urge everyone to read). The law states four hours, NOT ten minutes! I do not think that a vehicle displaying a handicapped placard should be towed.
People of Columbus, take heed, I as a non-resident am appalled by these predatory underhanded actions. I am here to tell you that everyone who lives in Columbus or visits there must be aware of these unlawful practices, in my opinion. It is my contention that this is a racket and good citizens should not have to be subjected to such an experience.
A copy of this letter is being sent to every party concerned as well as Government officials, university departments, newspapers and anyone else who will listen to assist me in putting this to a stop. On my next visit to Columbus, I will not be a tourist; I will probably be a plaintiff.
If anyone would have seen the condition that my wife was in that evening and the next few days, you would most certainly understand my determination to inform everyone of this injustice.
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