THE FOLLOWING STEPS ARE TAKEN WHEN VEHICLES ARE TOWED FROM THE CAMPUS:


STEP 1. DECISION TO REMOVE VEHICLES IS MADE

Please be aware that vehicles will be towed from campus if they are found parked under certain conditions. Towing vehicles so parked is necessary to promote and insure orderly parking for students, faculty, staff, and visitors, to insure optimal operation of the business functions of the University, and to promote and maintain the safety of all campus citizens. Vehicles found parked as follows will be towed or cited:

  1. next to a curb and impeding passing vehicles or shuttle buses, operating a vehicle in such a way that blocks traffic or interferes with the normal flow of traffic.
  2. in a fire lane (all fire lanes are clearly marked red), on grass, on a landscaped area, on a sidewalk,
  3. in or blocking a loading dock,
  4. in a space marked for service vehicles,
  5. blocking a disabled ramp,
  6. in a 24-hour, reserved space,
  7. in any marked tow-away zone,
  8. abandoned on campus (hand written or typed notes placed on the dashboard by the vehicle owner will not be acknowledged by Parking & Transportation),
  9. in a manner which creates a nuisance, hazard, obstructs traffic or causes inconvenience to another person, or
  10. with 10 or more unpaid parking citations on customer account (including multiple vehicles).
  11. Vehicles with no identifying numbers, such as, a VSU permit number, vehicle tag number, or vehicle identification number will be considered unidentified and will be removed from VSU property at the owners expense.
  12. Vehicle with 5 or more citations for no permit that are unidentified.
  13. Vehicle is displaying a lost or stolen permit.
  14. Disputed accounts of ownership of a vehicle - In the event of disputed vehicle ownership, a vehicle license plate will be booted and removed to ID the driver at the time the appeal by the concerned customer is made. This number would depend on how many were issued at the time of the appeal.
Remember: The absence of a NO PARKING sign does not denote parking is permitted.

STEP 2. TOW COMPANY IS NOTIFIED
  1. The Department of Parking & Transportation will make the request to the contracted tow company during normal business hours.
  2. If Public Safety needs a vehicle removed after business hours, they may make the request. Public Safety will complete the appropriate Parking & Transportation reports.

STEP 3. VEHICLE IS DOCUMENTED
  1. When it is determined that the vehicle will be towed and the contracted towing company is notified, the Parking Personnel Supervisor or his representative will video tape all sides of the exterior of the vehicle, the interior of the vehicle through the windows, and the manner in which the vehicle is parked. (Public Safety may complete an Impound Report instead of video.)
  2. A Tow Report must be completed by a parking personnel unit on the scene.

STEP 4. TOW REPORT SUPPLYING FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS WRITTEN:
  1. DATE - The date the report is completed.
  2. TIME - This indicates the time the contracted tow company was notified.
  3. VEHICLE INFORMATION - The tag number, make, model and color must be recorded.
  4. LOCATION - The exact location the vehicle was towed from (i.e. West side Nevins, tow away zone).
  5. REASON FOR REMOVAL - Mark one of the choices or write in the reason if one is not listed.
  6. TOW DRIVER - The driver of the tow truck.
  7. TIME OF ARRIVAL - The time the tow truck arrives at the scene.
  8. VEHICLE REMOVED? - Circle Yes or No. >
  9. VIDEO # - The number of the video tape that was used.
  10. PARKING PERSONNEL COMPLETED REPORT - The person actually completing the report must sign and write in his/her assigned patrol number.

STEP 5. TOW REPORT IS DISTRIBUTED AS FOLLOWS:
  1. Original - Parking & Transportation
  2. 2nd Copy - Tow Truck Driver
  3. 3rd Copy - VSU Public Safety
  4. 4th Copy - Vehicle Owner

STEP 6. IF THE DRIVER OF VEHICLE ARRIVES AT THE SCENE BEFORE TOW TRUCK

  1. If the driver of the vehicle arrives at the scene before the contracted tow company is called, the parking personnel unit will council the driver and allow the vehicle to be moved by the driver with the citation of illegally parking.
  2. If the contracted tow company has already been notified and is en route to campus, the driver will be counseled and charged a partial tow fee. The vehicle will be allowed to depart campus. Unless this same vehicle has received 3 or more partial tows that are still unpaid. In this case the vehicle will be removed from campus regardless if the driver shows up or not. A parking personnel unit must wait in the area for the contracted tow company to let him know that the driver has already moved the vehicle. Parking personnel will video tape the individual, their VSU ID or drivers license, and the individual signing the tow release form.
Once your vehicle is in possession of A-1 Towing (meaning vehicle has already been completely loaded on the tow truck or on the go jacks) it is considered a full tow and may not be removed from the tow truck. Complete tows will be taken to A-1 Towing Company.

STEP 7. IF THE DRIVER OF VEHICLE ARRIVES AT THE SCENE AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOWED
  1. When the driver of the vehicle reports to Parking & Transportation, the driver must pay the tow charge and answer all the required questions, before the driver can be given the Tow Release Form (#2). After business hours persons can receive a release form and obtain their vehicle from A-1 Towing at 2005 W. Savannah Avenue in Valdosta. A-1 Towing is open 24 hours a day, and their phone number is (229)242-1297. A photo copy of the individuals drivers license or VSU ID card is required before vehicle can be released.

     

  2. Upon presentation of this form by the driver to the towing company, the vehicle will be released.

A1 Towing Location: 2005 West Savannah Avenue, Valdosta Georgia, 31601 Map to A1 Towing


STEP 8. THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS REQUIRED ON TOW RELEASE FORM:
  1. DATE OF TOW - The date the vehicle was removed from campus.
  2. DATE CLAIMED - The date the driver reports to Parking & Transportation to pay for the release of the vehicle.
  3. VEHICLE INFORMATION - The tag number, state of tag, make, model and color of vehicle is filled in.
  4. PERSON RELEASED TO AND ID# - The driver's name and student identification number is filled in.
  5. AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE TO RELEASE - The Parking & Transportation employee verified payment has been made and the release form is completed.
  6. DATE - The date of the release.
  7. RECEIPT # - The receipt number given to the driver for payment of release.

STEP 9. IF THE DRIVER FAILS TO REMOVE VEHICLE FROM IMPOUND

IT IS THE DRIVER'S RESPONSIBILITY TO REMOVE THE VEHICLE FROM IMPOUND. FAILURE TO DO SO CAN RESULT IN LOSS.

  1. After the vehicle has been impounded for 14 days, the Parking & Transportation Department will send a certified, return-receipt-requested letter to the driver of the vehicle as determined from the VSU motor vehicle registration files or GCIC.
  2. The letter, see #3, will indicate that the vehicle has been removed from VSU campus and has been stored for 14 days with the contracted tow company. After 30 days being impounded without claim, will result in the contracted towing company taking possession of the vehicle.
  3. The driver has 3 working days from date of impound to remove the vehicle from impound. If the vehicle is not removed from impound within 3 working days a daily impound fee of $10.00 payable to the towing company will be assessed.

STEP 10. ASSESSING TOWING CHARGES
  1. The charge of $95.00 must be paid before a release will be issued.
  2. The charge for towing call but no pickup is $70.00 (VSU citation - partial tow fee), or an other violation ticket issued in cases where a vehicle that cannot be removed by the tow truck due to style or location - which will result in a full tow ticket, citation will be mailed to customer).
  3. The tow charge will increase after the third incident involving the same vehicle in a school year, date range from July 1st through June 30th of the next year,. The charge for the 4th incident will be $115.00, and the charge will increase $65.00 for each additional incident.
  4. Other charges may apply, depending upon parking infractions and any customer interference during the tow process.
  5. If customers do not cooperate with VSU officials and leave the scene of the tow, a full tow citation will be issued and mailed to driver/vehicle owner.