you park where there is a big sign stating you will be towed, and your car is towed, and you are mad? It is not a public lot, nowhere does it say it is, you were not wronged, you made the mistake of parking there. Learn from your lesson, don't do it again.

That is a fair and noteworthy argument, Neal. However, I would like to point out that Ms. Adame felt it was wrong to target parents and spectators on this particular day. I visited the parking lot several times since the race and customers or not, English Valley does not regularly tow cars from the property. In a way, Ms. Adame believes she and other families were setup.
I can see both sides of the argument and I'm interested to see what other people in the community think. ---Thanks for your comment!

Whether they target them or not is insignificant, it is not a public lot. Whether they tow regularly or not is insignificant as well. If they had put up the sign for this event with the intent to make money, that would be different, but that isn't the case here.
I.E. If a cop sits on a road and gives out speeding tickets in an area well known for speeding, is he targeting them? Or is he just enforcing the law? I could say it was unfair because he doesn't normally sit there, but the point is moot because I did something I wasn't supposed to do. And in the end it is their property, it is their choice to do what they wish, they broke no laws by enforcing their own signage.

...and does this action build people up, or tear them down? Does it improve society, or make it more suspect? Does this action help us to choose hope and believe there people looking out for good in the world? The point isn't whether someone was right or wrong. The point is that this injected needless negativity and anger into a world that doesn't need any more of that.

Hey G, so do parking and traffic tickets, are they uneeded as well?
You say it's needless, and shouldn't be about right or wrong. So therefore she should she be allowed to park there, because then she wouldn't have gotten angry? Please clarify, how you think the situation should be handled?
Here in the real world, rules are needed, to protect those of us that are responsible, from those that are not.

I agree with the tow company. in savannah ga there isnt alot of towing done in the down town area until St. patricks day. savannah companies tow so much i sub work from them to help them and to help my wallet. in the sign says private lot, towing inforced then DUH!!!! Dont park there.

"WARNING - Unauthorized vehicles will be towed at owner's expense"? - Nobody was set up, the rules were clearly posted. Offender(s) NOT victim(s).

She wasn't "parking" there? She was only leaving her car there unattended and locked. Hold on. I'm trying to find where this isn't parking. So what if not all the stores were open and all the spaces weren't occupied? That doesn't mean you can just ignore the signs. Why not park in people's driveways if they obviously have extra room? A few years ago there was a similar uproar and newspaper article in the Daily Herald about cars being towed from neighboring lots during a car show at Meijer in Rolling Meadows. Signs were clearly posted and organizers claimed that they had actively discouraged and made announcements via the PA system to warn people to stay in the Meijer lot. Camera reviews later showed car show employees directing cars into the other lots and even parking their cars there themselves. It's pretty simple. If you're not doing business in a parking lot for the stores and they have it posted that you will be towed, then don't park there (even for 2 minutes) unless you want to pay to get your car back. And BTW, the stores generally don't get money from the towing company for the cars that are towed. The towing companies keep all the money as their compensation for being on standby to tow cars as needed.

I have frequented the merchants at English Valley for years and I can tell you that people who illegally park there affect customer parking and, thus, affect merchant's ability to make a living. That that this is a "community event" does not give anyone the right to violate law. The merchants pay for that parking lot through customer revenue and no one illegally park there, irrespective of their "community event".

People should pay attention to signs.

So motives mean nothing then, right? I feel for a fellow mom and completely understand...too bad you didn't walk in and out of just one store. Too bad the spotter couldn't have shown more compassion, much less the towing company show professionalism when dealing with you instead of laughing. Learning lessons the hard way is never fun, but this management company clearly cares little for its tenants who wish to build customer relations instead of alienate potential business. I'm wondering what the spotter got paid...

WHO "COMPLAINED" about the Illegal Parking to the towing company?
This sounded more like an Event... for the Towing Company... and- OF COURSE the Slime Ball that Manages the strip mall won't say anything to jeopardize his KICKBACKS.
Just remember the Community Minded Spirit that English Valley fails to possess... and pass your concerns onto the Tenants of the mall.
Bollocks on Greed and Bottom Feeders....

The merchants at English Valley don't exist to provide free parking for "community events". If you are not doing business with English Valley merchants, then STAY OUT of their parking lot. Hopefully, this is a lesson that won't have to be re-learned next year.

I don't know why anyone would park in that lot at anyways.

Next year, maybe the landowner should rope off part of the lot and charge for parking - this way, the community can use the lot and the landowner can keep the profits instead of the tow company.

Not the right thing to do, very well marked...but it is a fundraising event for Dimucci ... they get a portion of the recovery fees.

Boycott all the businesses in the mall. This is inhumane.

I can't believe this makes headlines when there are a lot of things going on in palatine like murders. The sign is there for a reason it doesn't say if you are here for 2 mins then you won't get towed. So when an officer pulls me over for speeding all I should say is THAT SPEED LIMIT SIGN SAID 45 mph but I was only doing 75 mph for ten mins. Wake up people the signs are there for a reason be mad at palatine high school for not communicating better.

rumor has it that Palatine Cross country team did put signs up in the R.O.W. saying to not park in the lot. But before teh event started the all of the signs were removed.

Unbelievable that people think they have a right to violate rules because of how they FEEL about the rule. Even more unbelievable that they think they have a right to complain when they get caught.

Oh My God people, the sign is clear as day and there is no excuse for that stupid woman to not have followed the rules! Give me a break, this isn't some kind of anarchy, we still have rules and things in this world and the easiest of which to follow are those that are marked clearly with signage! No excuses people! Let's quit playing the victim!

Having lived at the former Kind Edward Court apartments right next to this mall, I can attest to the fact people can be rude, law-breaking, and just plain stupid when they need to leave their car somewhere and cross the street to attend something at the forest preserve. And not just in empty parking lots, the same behaviors happen in the residential areas that are across from the forest preserve.

If you think the parking lot should be available for people who are attending events at the forest preserve, take it up with the organizers of the event. I'm sure they could have easily negotiated a deal to have some parking spaces made available in that lot.

If this woman lived in Chicago, she would've learned this lesson in days instead of years. Lincoln towing has made a living off people's ignorance to signage, they have been doing it for 50+ years, and FYI, they aren't breaking any laws, just protecting the owners of businesses that have a right to do what they want with thier property.

While I agree the signs are posted and rules should be followed, there is also an issue of civility involved here. Signs posted by the event were removed by "someone." The owner could easily get $10 a space in an almost empty lot, but can make a few more bucks on their kickback from the tow company. Northwest Recovery is very rude, especially to out of town "customers", giving Palatine a bad name. Yes the rules should be followed. No, the owner should not be hostile. I am one of several people who are no longer customers at that strip mall for two years now because of their incivility. They have empty stores and complain about the economy, but would be better off if they didn't crap on their neighbors.

Additionally, several of the people from the event may patronize the strip mall after the event if their cars are still there. Steps are being taken to make sure no cars park there next year and that NW Recovery and the owner don't make a dime off of the event. Obviously, event signs (that were removed) were not enough. Over 3,000 people attend this event. Many boycott these businesses now even though they have never been directly involved with this issue. The strip mall is more interested in making enemies than customers, so they can now lie in the bed they have made.

Well now people know not to visit the shops at English Valley! They have the authority to call off the tows. I know this because they have a contract with the towing company, and could also not re-hire them next year--if the shops there have a business left at that point in time. Don't shop there, that will get attention!

Hey Palatine Resident
You are clearly inferring that whomever took down the signs has something to do with this strip mall, when in all actuality there is no evidence to support your accusation.

If they are rude and pushing away business that is their choice and thier business will pay for that, but to think and assume they are running around taking signs down is quite a malicious accusation. Who's the one really not being nice here?

If you follow the rules, what's the problem? If you didn't get towed what's the complaint? Would you like someone coming and parking in your private driveway (if you have one)? The signs didn't say parking for patrons, except for the few that don't think rules apply to them...did they?? If people don't want to follow the rules/signs then they deserve what they get/got.

Why should things be made easier for the ignorant people who can't read/follow the rules. So if the sign was BRIGHTER & there were signs posted by the invitational & the people still got towed, what would the argument be then? I only walked across for a minute, not like I was planning on staying the whole time? Come on!¡ Question to everyone...do you follow the school speed limit signs that say 20mph on school days? What would be your arguement with a cop when they pull you over to give you a ticket...no children were outside? Doesn't matter it states when children are present, children are in school all day, so they are always present. How about when people blow through school bus stop arms...oh I didn't see the big red flashing sign, maybe,make it bigger & brighter. Rules are rules no matter what, follow them.

There is a BIG "WARNING" sign at both entrances to the lot. You choose NOT to read it that is your problem.

You chose to disregard the posted signs and as a result your car was towed. To put it simply you gambled and lost. Get over it.

So many times, as I stand in line at the grocery store watching a little brat having a temper tantrum to get their mom to buy them a candy bar or toy that she has said "no" to. Most of the time the brat gets what it wants. I often wonder what becomes of these little brats as they get older. Well, here it is. They become adult whiny brats who just can't fathom that someone had the nerve to enforce the posted rules against them. And they in turn are teaching their children by example if nothing else not to respect private property rights by mouthing off to the media about how ridiculous and unfair it is that they got towed when they clearly violated someone else's rights.

And here you see the other spoiled brats who probably weren't even there who chime in suggesting that these property owners should be put out of business for enforcing their rights. What pathetic crybabies.

Using "spotters" to churn kick-backs? Did they have the right to tow the cars? Of course. Did it make good business sense? Of course not. No wonder this "mall" is nearly dead. The community will turn it's back on stupid business decisions. Just watch.

Oh please!! If you don't like the rules that doesn't mean you can just stomp your feet to make them better suit you! The signs are clearly posted, this woman took a chance and lost. Boo hoo, GROW UP. No one did anything illegal or wrong EXCEPT this lady parking where she was not supposed to. I get so tired of this entitled attitude from people like this woman. Teach your children how to follow the rules lady, not how to whine and cry til they get their way.

People who can't read shouldn't breed. This will solve a lot.

Adame, your an idiot. Probably why you were towed. Can 16 of my friends and I park on your property? HAHAHAHAHA Yeah, thats what I thought. you wouldnt like it either. Stupid people. Spend money on education not on towing. HAHAHAHAHA. Stupid people make me laugh.

@ Wally, sounds like you were one of the dumbos that can't read and got towed. Children, if a sign says "NO" it means NO! Maybe next year the event should have clear signs where to park. Stop blaming other people for your stupidity.

What I find really really interesting is how so many people hate what relocation companies do, yet so many appreciate them. I am glad that there are some half way intelligent people out there that understand the "rule" concept.

And to all of you that complained to the point that this article made it into the newspaper you just gave NW Recovery free publicity! While you may have thought what you were doing was bringing light to a "horrible decrepit situation" all you did was bring their name forward to other shopping centers/apartment complexes that are having the same problem.

YOU just said "Hey, these guys and girls are AWESOME at their jobs!" So... Well done I guess. You truly stuck it to them!

Replying to the haters - it's a simple act of goodwill to possibly point out HEY, I know this lot's totally empty but you'll get towed if you park here. Paying a spotter to rat out offenders? This was purely a moneymaking venture and I just don't think it's a good practice or a neighborly thing to do to prey on people who make mistakes. And we all make them, even you who are so quick to place blame and fault. Should she have read signs? Of course! But she didn't, and I think the right thing to do would have been to think about people and relationships first, before money. Oh, and I do have a full-time job, as well as parent 3 children, and contribute to society. Thanks for judging me.

Hey G, she is not a victim. And we are not haters, just people in reality.
It is thier lot, they have a right to do what they wish. If a cop is ticketing speeders is he "preying on people who make mistakes". Nope, he's enforcing the law, just as these business owners are doing if they so choose. And nowhere except the alleged victims story, is there any mention of "Paying a spotter". It's all heresy. And BTW, us commenters up here are only judging the actions of an individual who wanted an article written publicly. We are al wecome to voice our opinions, just as you are doing as well, no difference.

Is there a chance that G has been towed out of there 3 years in a row?

Fool me once, Shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Fool me three times , *palmface*

To g she said she saw the signs but ignored them how long would it have taken her to enter a store and ask permission wouldnt that have shown respect ? If you treat people with respect you have fewer problems . She felt her needs put her above the owners and lost time to put on the big girl panties and accept her punishment and cut the whinning

Guess what, cops also give warnings...they don't ticket every single speeding offense. And no, I've never had my car towed, period. I also understood the article to read that none of the businesses were even open at this time of day, so where would she have gone to ask permission, as Bc suggests? I'm not saying she is a "victim" - she's responsible for her choices...my point is that all that was thought about in this entire exchange was money, money, money at the expense of relationship and goodwill. That's my problem with this situation. It could have turned out a win-win and restored some faith in humanity. Instead it proves the worst of us. Again, thanks for judging! I sure hope you're never evaluated by your own standards

Right on, G.

She did get a warning, it's called the sign. And she CHOSE to ignore it. Her fault, blaming the business is just plain silly., it's thier property, not hers to do with what she wishes.

It's funny how now there are "rumors" of other signs that were torn down. So this lady would have paid attention to those signs but not the ones she acknowledged seeing that said she would be towed? And we have a few people who say they are going to boycott the businesses at that mall. Hate to break it to you, but I doubt they're going to miss your business they probably didn't already have. Oh, the inhumanity, the tragedy, what is this world coming to?

Neal, by your logic, all speeders are ignoring the warning of the speed limit signs...and yet the police officers still feel at times that its a fair and good thing to do to issue warning instead of slapping a financial penalty on every lawbreaker. Granted, anyone who gets a ticket has only themselves to blame...but even the enforcers of the law wield its power with moderation. Again - hope the next time you get a speeding ticket you give a great big hearty thanks to that officer who's playing by your rules!

Hey G your logic is flawed, if the speed limit sign had a warning on it that stated a cop was ahead and I was gonna get a ticket and a fine if i continued speeding, then it would be equal to this scenario. But speeding signs don't say that therefore you are incorrect in your reasoning. I do feel bad that you think someone was wronged here, but unfortunately for your arguement, no one was. It wasn't a money making scheme, and it's not societies downfall of greed. Plain and simple, this woman parked in a lot that wasn't for the forest preserve, she knew it was wrong, did it anyway, and got caught. Simple and BTW, these aren't my rules. they are just common knowledge, "Not the correct lot for where you are going, you probably shouldn't park there" Especially if you see a guy and a sign stating you shouldn't.