The police reported last Thursday that a woman damaged her car in attempting to retrieve it from a local towing service. Northern Illinois Towing took the woman’s money, told her where her car was but failed to mention it was padlocked to a steel pole. NI Towing denies all liability.

NI Towing calls itself “one of DeKalb’s most requested towing services.” The vision of smooth professionalism evoked by this slogan is belied by the appearance and practices of this “company.” Its unmarked headquarters is located on Sycamore Road across from Midas Muffler; its lot for towed cars is located on Pleasant Street, east of Fourteenth. Even under the best conditions, dealing with this company involves considerable confusion and delay. These difficulties are compounded by the company’s attitude, which ranges from indifference to hostility.

NI Towing patrols “University City” (on Lincoln Hwy. next to McDonald’s) and the shopping center on Lucinda and Annie Glidden. Since both are contiguous to the NIU campus, which has long suffered a parking shortage, NI Towing may well be “the most requested” towing service in town.

Only a concerted effort by those on whom this company preys can compel its business patrons to employ a more professional service. If you are in danger of having to deal with this company, which is not always scrupulous in choosing its victims, I urge you either to express your concern to the shops which “request” this company or to boycott them altogether.

Lisa Chase

graduate, english