Threatened With Being Towed From an Independent Living Parking Lot
My question involves a traffic citation from the state of: Pennsylvania
I am independently employed as a personal assistant to an elderly woman who lives in the "independent living" section of an assisted living complex called "Presby Park". My employer lives full time at the complex, but also has her home which she won't sell, only a mile away. During the course of my 7 hour day I care for her personal needs, run errands, drive her to appointments, take care of her banking and finances, manage the other property that she currently does not live in. Handle disputes, organize her care during my off hours from a companion service. I have no official title, but I've always called myself her personal assistant. I am her only employee, and I have been for 5 years. The parking lot at this assisted living complex is divided into sections. Her specific building "Woodland" is attached to another building "Highland". Each building has a garage underneath that only the residents have access to. In addition to the garage there is designated parking outside the entrance with a pretty wooden sign that says "resident and visitor parking only". This is the area in which I park my car everyday. It is about 50 feet from the "Woodland" entrance. There is another designated area about 60 feet further away with another pretty wooden sign that says "Presby Park employee and companion parking only". When I get to work at 8:00 am this lot is always already full. I've been told that it fills up before 7:00 am by the complex employees that generally work in the hospice and dining departments. Stickers have been put on my windshield notifying me that I am illegally parked and my license plate has been documented. I went to the security desk in the front of the building and I was told that the area I was parked at was for residents and visitors. I asked where am I supposed to park and was told to park in the employee and companion area. I told him I am not a Presby Park employee and I am not a companion. And besides that lot is always full. Then he told me that there is another lot which is located at the opposite end of the complex, up a hill, and a level of stairs up. This area also has a pretty wooden sign that says "Presby employee and companion parking only". So I was told by this security guard that is where I need to park my car. I would have to try and measure it, but I'm guessing the distance is about a half mile of walking, from there to where my employer's apartment is located. So I got the name of an executive and asked my employer to call and explain my position. She did. I went out to my car this afternoon and there is a 8" x 8" orange sticker on my rear window that says "violation this vehicle is illegally parked and hereby subject to towing and impoundment. your license number was recorded" at the bottom it has "Presby Park Security" and the address of the complex. No towing company listed on the sticker. Since I am neither a companion nor an employee, nor a resident, wouldn't I be considered a visitor? Even if I visit 5 days a week? Shouldn't I be entitled to park at the building employer lives in and not on the other side of the complex? Do I have a case?
Re: Threatened to Tow in an Independent Living Parking Lot
You have a case for getting your car towed. I suggest if you do not want to walk, she buy a car and you drive her around in it.
Re: Threatened to Tow in an Independent Living Parking Lot
You can call yourself 'Fred' if you want, but the facility does not consider you a visitor since you get PAID to be there. You are a companion. I suggest you follow the rules of the facility or your employer may find herself evicted.