Property Manager: Metro Square Patrons' Cars Won't be Towed

What some call overaggressive towing of cars parked in the private Metro Square lot has led to public outcry and a video investigation by NBC Connecticut.

But property manager Brian Herschberger says he and the security guard who keeps an eye on the lot are simply doing their jobs — towing the vehicles of folks who park there and don't patronize Metro Square businesses.

In five and a half months, according to Middletown Police, 240 cars have been towed at the lot, which encompasses a full city block from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way to Main Street to Dingwall Drive and deKoven Drive.

In numerous comments on a Middletown Patch story and its Facebook page, residents wonder if their cars will be towed if they walk to Main Street for an ice cream cone or a Japanese meal.

Herschberger says no.

"Metro Square is a whole city block," he says. "All four streets. As long as they stay on the property, their car won't be towed."

In response to charges made in the NBC Connecticut video report that there aren't enough or highly visible signs marking Metro Square as a private lot, Herschberger spoke emphatically.

"How many more should I put up? They are on every light pole, on two buildings, two at every entrance and on the railing going up the stairs. If someone tells me how many more they want because they can't read, then I will put up more signs."

Here are just some of the comments made by readers of Middletown Patch's Facebook page asking if towing tactics are aggressive:

• Dawn: I don't think it's fair to take out our frustrations on the shop owners. After all, they have to pay rent to the guy ordering the towing. I'm sure they appreciate happy customers.
• Chrissy: Not good for the busines
• ses located there!!!
• Cheryl: Will not shop at any of those stores and with the shadow room gone no reason to go there!!
• Colleen: I won't be going there anytime this year because I can't afford to eat out and enjoy a movie if I might get towed!
• Patricia: This parking policy has been in effect for many years ... any idea how long this towing has happened?
• Karin: How do they know if you are patronizing a local establishment or not? Do they watch you go from your car to the Metro Square business? Big Brother is watching?
• Alex: Pretty much all the businesses in the square have an alternate up on Main Street (apart from the cinema of course). Shop elsewhere for a while — they will get the message and send it on to their landlord.

• Police: Unauthorized Cars Parked at Metro Square Will be Towed