Live data from Hacker News

Philly pays $30K to two 'courtesy' tow victims, but class-action suit continues

inquirer.com

1–10 of 142 posts

Re: Philly pays $30K to two 'courtesy' tow victims, but class-action suit continues

#2
It's weirdly both such a big number and such a small number.

15k is a ton for many people and probably well more than the inconvenience this one guy suffered.

But it's insubstantial compared to the cost of this case turning into a class action and getting the city to actually have to change something, and it sounds like it's insubstantial compared to the total harm of this program. Especially cases like the woman who was nearly arrested.

Re: Philly pays $30K to two 'courtesy' tow victims, but class-action suit continues

#4
The idea of a courtesy tow is such a violation of justice where the government can dole out a punishment worse than the law allows without a trial. The police are effectively the judge jury and executioner. They find you guilty of some law, sentence you to the punishment of finding your car and any consequences of it being there, and execute it by hiding it. This is one of those weird circumstances where I would rather just be charged with a crime.

Re: Philly pays $30K to two 'courtesy' tow victims, but class-action suit continues

#5
> Henin was placed in handcuffs because police in New Jersey thought the car was stolen. That was because, months earlier, the car had been courtesy towed in West Philly, and she reported it stolen as police advised. Henin followed up with Philadelphia police when she later found her car, but they mistakenly left it in the stolen-vehicle database.

It could be the argument for a sitcom. Not funny in real life when police is pointing a gun at you.

Re: Philly pays $30K to two 'courtesy' tow victims, but class-action suit continues

#6
post #5

> Henin was placed in handcuffs because police in New Jersey thought the car was stolen. That was because, months earlier, the car had been courtesy towed in West Philly, and she reported it stolen as police advised. Henin followed up with Philadelphia police when she later found her car, but they mistakenly left it in the stolen-vehicle database. It could be the argument for a sitcom. Not funny in real life when pol…

More like a dystopian horror movie

Re: Philly pays $30K to two 'courtesy' tow victims, but class-action suit continues

#7
post #5

> Henin was placed in handcuffs because police in New Jersey thought the car was stolen. That was because, months earlier, the car had been courtesy towed in West Philly, and she reported it stolen as police advised. Henin followed up with Philadelphia police when she later found her car, but they mistakenly left it in the stolen-vehicle database. It could be the argument for a sitcom. Not funny in real life when pol…

They didn’t check the license and registration of the vehicle?

Re: Philly pays $30K to two 'courtesy' tow victims, but class-action suit continues

#8
post #2

It's weirdly both such a big number and such a small number. 15k is a ton for many people and probably well more than the inconvenience this one guy suffered. But it's insubstantial compared to the cost of this case turning into a class action and getting the city to actually have to change something, and it sounds like it's insubstantial compared to the total harm of this program. Especially cases like the woman who…

Sounds like it was too small at the end of the day. 2 people accepted and 2 others are proceeding with class action suit. They failed in their goal of snuffing out the class action suit. Maybe $30k would have been enough. Though that might have attracted new litigants.

Clearly a lose lose for Philly, which is not surprising with such a shit show of a policy.

Re: Philly pays $30K to two 'courtesy' tow victims, but class-action suit continues

#10
I feel this validates my “no Philly” policy.

I grew up in NYC, and have a certain immunity to deal with aloof, hostile or otherwise obnoxious city officials. I’ve been to Philly on business and pleasure a few times and… forget it, it’s a whole other level. One wedding, literally 30% of the guest had a ticket, tow or other drama.

Life is too short. Philly makes Jersey look good.

Post reply on HN