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W-B cracking down on predatory towing
Tow-truck drivers looking to haul off cars illegally parked in private and public lots will face added scrutiny under an ordinance discussed Tuesday by city council, requiring companies to be licensed and conform prices with a city-mandated list.
"We're just trying to protect our residents from some possibly unscrupulous practices," said council Chairman Bill Barrett, who pushed for the law. "It's a business, and we're mainly focused on the non-consensual part."
If approved, towing companies would register with the Code Enforcement Office and pay $300 for a license, which would be renewed annually, according to a draft of the ordinance. There would be five classes of vehicles, ranging from less than 5,000 pounds up to 80,000 pounds, with maximum fees covered under the law.
It would also forbid the towing of a car unless the property owner signs a form authorizing the removal of that specific vehicle. If they violate the ordinance, a tow-truck operator risks a fine between $300 and $600 or the loss of their license.
Tow-truck drivers looking to haul off cars illegally parked in private and public lots will face added scrutiny under an ordinance discussed Tuesday by city council, requiring companies to be licensed and conform prices with a city-mandated list.
"We're just trying to protect our residents from some possibly unscrupulous practices," said council Chairman Bill Barrett, who pushed for the law. "It's a business, and we're mainly focused on the non-consensual part."
If approved, towing companies would register with the Code Enforcement Office and pay $300 for a license, which would be renewed annually, according to a draft of the ordinance. There would be five classes of vehicles, ranging from less than 5,000 pounds up to 80,000 pounds, with maximum fees covered under the law.
It would also forbid the towing of a car unless the property owner signs a form authorizing the removal of that specific vehicle. If they violate the ordinance, a tow-truck operator risks a fine between $300 and $600 or the loss of their license.
2 comments:
There were cars towed from the strip mall lot across from Holy Redeemer High School one evening. There was an event was happening at the school.
Since the lot was posted, "Parking for Customers Only", and the stores were closed, the parkers weren't customers....They were towed.
It was in the paper about 3 weeks ago.
First of all, I didn't even KNOW tow trucks could go onto property that isn't theirs, tow a vehicle that isn't theirs, and weren't called to do so by the owner of the property! When I first read this article, that blew my mind that tow trucks are doing this! I didn't even know they could and were doing this! Even without this law, is that legal? Why don't these people take these tow truck drivers to court? I would. What do they do, just drive around all day looking on property that isn't theirs, for vehicles to tow away and make money off ot? Is that what is happening right now? Because I seriously did not know that!
I've got to tell you, if this happened to ME...it wouldn't be pretty if I caught the guy in the act of towing my vehicle!
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