Beech Tree News Network

Be careful where you park in Bowling Green.  That's the advice I have this week for readers of Beech Tree News over the Thanksgiving holiday.  A statement like that warrants an explanation and boy do I have a good one!

It all took place on Wednesday, November 19, when I joined two colleagues - Barry and Calvin -  for an education-related training day at the Caroll Knicely Conference Center.  I wasn't driving - one of many benefits of owning a regular cab pick-up.  After the morning session came to a conclusion, we decided to try the new burger place on Campbell Lane called Cook-Out.  As expected, the not-too-large parking lot was filled to capacity.  However, we found a parking spot in an adjacent lot in front of an unoccupied building.  It was actually one large parking area with a few fence panels and signs providing an artificial degree of separation.  Yes, there were signs in the general area telling us not to park and warning us against being towed, but since the lots essentially ran together and our spot was in front of an unoccupied building, we decided to take the risk.  After all, we'd be in and out in thirty minutes and what could happen in that length of time? Apparently, a lot.  We had been in the restaurant for just a few minutes when we noticed that a wrecker had pulled behind our vehicle and appeared to be preparing to tow it.  Swinging into action, Barry, the driver, rushed out the door to attend to the situation.  He was informed that his vehicle was in a towing zone, that he was parked illegally, per city ordinance, and would be towed unless he could produce $100 on the spot.  It would cost $125 if the vehicle was actually hooked up the wrecker and towed.  Those were the only two options presented.  I kind of expected my friend to offer another option - maybe a punch in the face, which is why I soon ventured out to the parking lot myself to investigate.  However, Barry  showed remarkable restraint considering that he was on the wrong end of a Mafia-like shakedown that would have brought a smile from Tony Soprano.  

No amount of reasoning would work.  Barry offered to move it. No, was the answer.  We were told that we were already in the system (?!) and that he couldn't do anything about it … that he was just doing his job.  He told us that we had students to blame.  That's interesting considering the positive economic impact W.K.U. has on Bowling Green.  In other words, the man with the wrecker did his best impersonation of Pontius Pilate and attempted to wash his hands of any wrongdoing.  Barry walked to an ATM to get $100.  

Adding insult to injury, the man even tried to buddy up with us after the transaction was over, which didn't go over very well with Barry, who tersely told the man that this transaction was over and to unlock his tire … now!  

We went back into Cook-Out and to our $5 grilled hamburger meal that had turned into a $100 lunch date with a Bowling Green wrecker service.  I'm not going to mention the name of the wrecker service in this article because in all likelihood, there is more than one wrecker service involved in this type of predatory practice.  While we were eating, this same wrecker, with the help of what looked like a parking lot "spotter" dressed in red, did the exact same thing to two other cars.  A cool $300 is what this wrecker service did in thirty minutes - all coming at the expense of Cook-Out customers.  I would be concerned if I was Cook-Out.  This can't be good for their business.  

Yes, I am fully aware that we apparently parked in an area in which we were not supposed to park.  Yes, I know (now) that signs were posted.  But, the actions of this wrecker service, though presumably legal, were highly unethical by my estimation.  This wrecker service is targeting customers of this eating establishment, pulling up behind them mere moments after they leave the vehicle, taking a photo, putting a tire lock in place, and then saying give me $100 with the ironclad justification of "I'm just doing my job."  This is greed unrestrained by a conscience.  It is an aberration of capitalism - one that is lacking a moral compass.

Since our incident on Wednesday, I've learned of two other similar incidents involving this wrecker service targeting motorists in other parts of Bowling Green.   This has prompted several questions.  Is this wrecker service operating with the full knowledge and consent of the Bowling Green Police and city leaders?  I know of at least one municipality where police actively patrol this type of predatory behavior.  With this ordinance apparently on the books in Bowling Green, is this the type of enforcement city leaders are comfortable with?  Since when did wrecker service employees become police officers?  Is Cook-Out aware of this practice?  What about the owners of the restricted lot AT&T I think - are they aware of what's going on?  If all of these parties are aware of this practice, do they support it?  I could go on with relevant questions but you get the picture.

I am thankful for many things this Thanksgiving.  Included in that long list is my wonderful family, great friends, good health, several terrific and interesting jobs and a blessed community in which to live.  I'm also thankful that not all wrecker services behave as this one did.  Black Friday shopping is now only hours away - or as this wrecker service would call it … PAY DAY!  If this wrecker service is able to get a cool $300 during a 30-minute window on a routine Wednesday, imagine what it can do on the busiest shopping day of the year!  Beware my friends.  Drive safely tomorrow and while you're at it, be careful where you park!

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- John Embry is the author of Out on a Limb and the host of a daily talk radio show by the same name on WLBQ 101.5.  He is the vice-president of BTN Inc. and editor of Beech Tree News.  He can be reached at [email protected].