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Remember that wonderful winter snow storm we had in February? The one they said was the worse one
since the 1970's? I won't soon forget it. Not only because it was my first major winter storm in Iowa
since we have moved here in 1999 but because it was the same week my son wrecked his car.
The story begins with
Andrew, my 19 yr old son, calling and telling me that he and his wife Ashley were just in a wreck. They were ok.
He said he was on his way home from Kirkwood to come tell me he loved me. The wreck happened just down the road from
the house. He hit a utility pole just down the street from the Alliant plant on C avenue. If any of you saw the
cute little red car that had its front end wrapped around that pole then you know which car I am talking about!
I went to the scene of the accident to pick the kids up. The officer said there was no hurry for him to call a tow
truck since the car was off of the road and not in the way. I told him that I knew the people at Darrah's and maybe
I could help Andrew get a deal.
As the day progressed the snow continued to fall. Andrew returned
to the car to remove the radio so that it would not be stolen from the car. My husband also went back with him later
to the site to take more items from the car.
The next two days the snow fell and fell and fell. It was a
mess. Andrew had decided that he would just contact someone on his on to have his car towed. He did not realize
that if he did not have it removed by a certain time that the CRPD would have it towed off for him.
The
morning the car was towed Andrew called Darrah's to find out if they had the car. He went in and paid the fine.
The cost was almost $200. He had to pay $57 more to have it towed back home. The sad thing is they passed
the house the first time they towed it.
When the car was delivered to my garage, Andrew was totally surprised,
as was his dad and brother. The car was wrecked a lot worse than it was when we last saw it. The back windows
had been broken, the rear window was broken, the body had been distorted on both sides and in the middle. The paint
was chipped and metal was definately bent by a mechanical means.
Andrew received a copy of the police report that
was done for the towing company. There were many inaccuracies in the report. Major inaccuracies. Andrew
went down to the CRPD Station to speak to someone. He got the run around. He finally felt threatened enough he
came home and asked for my help. He was told that he had to pay $5 if he wanted a copy of the report. He
was told that he had to pay $25 if he wanted to look at the video of the scene.
I decided that the best
thing to do was to file a complaint stating that the report was inaccurate. I went to the CRPD Station and asked for
a form and was told there was none. I was asked why I was wanting to file a complaint against an officer, was I calling
the officer a liar or incompetent. What was my motive, was I after money? I kept insisting on a form. The
Lt. at the desk finally said he would go get one but it would take a while to get it. Amazingly enough he returned in
less than five minutes. The only form he gave me was one for an internal affairs report. I just wanted a simple
form but I did that one. He was threatening enough that I called and asked my husband if he would come from work to
be there with me. This guy was seriously trying his best to intimidate me.
After I filled out
the report I asked if he would sign it. He would not. The report had a spot for the interviewer to sign.
I wasn't even interviewed. I asked if I could make a copy of the report I made. He said no. My husband
said that we should just trust him to do the right thing. The officer still had to try to intimidate my son, he looked
at him and wanted to know what he was smiling at. I find this totally outrageous. This is so WRONG!
After
this fun event I decided to go find out where I would file a complaint about the complaint procedure at the CRPD. To
make a long story short, Andrew and I ended up at Jim Prosser's office, the City Manager. He took the information
and said he would contact Chief Stevens for us.
Andrew, Ashley, Tom and I went to the City Council meeting
that Wednesday evening to address them regarding the issue. Before the meeting Mr. Prosser brought the Chief over to
meet me. The Chief and I went out into the hallway to talk. I was very impressed with the Chief and felt that
everything would work out. Meaning, I felt that the city would make sure that the part of Andrew's car that was
mangled by the towing would be taken care of. The Chief mentioned that the CRPD is there to serve and to protect.
I agree.
Lt. Long called. He barely covered the fact about the behavior of the officer that we encountered.
I believe he said that it was someone else's matter but I am not sure about that. I have since found out that all
the phone calls from the CRPD are recorded so that would be easy to find out!
The runaround began. We've
talked to the CRPD and Darrah's. What it all boils down to is the insurance adjuster is going to use the report
that the policeman did at the scene for the towing company. Yes, the one that is inaccurate and therefore NO GOOD!
The one that we can't get the CRPD to admit in writing that is wrong.
I want to know why I cannot ask
a question, challenge a report, or almost anything of the sort to an officer without being accused of calling him a liar,
incompetent, being told to lower my voice, being told I am threatening them. What is the deal? This is out of
hand. Somewhere the common sense of it all is gone.
Should I be afraid? Probably..........
UPDATE - March 26 - Wednesday Night
Andrew and I both spoke to the City Council of City Rapids last
night regarding this situation. Hopefully, this will help bring us the help we have needed in this matter.
UPDATE - April 24, 2008
Andrew and I went for mediation with the CRPD. It failed. All we
are asking for is a letter stating that the report we have from the officer is inaccurate. Lt. Brent Long wants to list
what he believes is inaccurate. This is impossible for him to do since he has NEVER even looked at the vehicle.
Question: Have you had problems with your car being towed? Do you know anyone who could not afford
to get their car back and had to abandon it? I have had a couple of people tell me their own sad tales about the
financial difficulty they had as a result of their car being towed.
I'm tired of Government not thinking about
working class people and how things like this can cause major problems.
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