‘Cars just started disappearing,’ cry drivers as tow company takes vehicles in night – officials do nothing to stop it
A MECHANIC has fought back against a towing company after four of his vehicles were swept away.
Joe Ward said he started fighting against a towing company after several residents in the HOA privately complained.
GettyA mechanic said four of his cars were towed from a parking lot[/caption]
GettyDrivers paid $200 to retrieve their car (stock image)[/caption]
Ward, a local mechanic who had four of his own vehicles towed by Crow Tow, called the practices “predatory towing,” according to the Des Moines Register.
“With Crow Tow’s history, I thought management would be ready and willing to listen to tenants,” Ward told the publication.
“Management claimed I was the only person who had a problem. But everyone did.”
Ward started a petition in his neighborhood after the company towed several cars.
Drivers complained, alleging the company took vehicles in the middle of the night for small parking infractions.
Vehicles were removed from guest spots. Guest’s cars were removed from residential spaces. Tow operators shined flashlights into cars to check HOA registration.
Drivers paid up to $200 for the infractions.
Some homeowners complained their cars were taken even though they weren’t parked illegally.
“They marked all of the cars with big neon stickers … then cars just started disappearing,” Ward told the publication.
“They were taking three to then [cars] each week.”
However, Crow Tow’s owner told the publication that the business is naturally confrontational.
He fought back against Ward’s claims.
“There’s nothing predatory about this business,” Randy Crow, the owner, said.
“All we’re doing is following up with what private property owners need done.”
Crow’s company has been in the public spotlight several times in its 20 years in business.
What to do if your car is towed
Wrongfully or not, retrieving a towed vehicle can be a hassle.
If your vehicle is towed after parking in a “No Parking” zone or other legitimate reason, there are a few steps to take to get it back.
Steps to take when your car is towed:
Try to figure out why your car was towed. Did you not see a posted “No Parking” sign? Did you miss a car payment? Did you return to a lot where you have unpaid citations? Finding the reason can narrow down the phone numbers to dial.
Locate the vehicle. Most states, cities, or counties require towing companies to leave some form of contact information via a posted sign or sent by mail.
Recovery dates and times depend on the company that towed the vehicle, but those times will be posted to the website or can be recited by a representative.
Pay the fees. Be careful to be as prompt as possible, as some tow yards may charge storage fees by the day.
If you feel your vehicle was wrongfully towed, contesting the action can be done with the following steps:
Be prompt – many states have a small window of time where it’s acceptable to file a complaint against a company that wrongfully towed the vehicle.
Gather supporting documents: photos, emails, receipts, police reports, and witness statements if applicable. The more evidence, the better.
Get familiar with your local laws, as laws for towing companies vary per state.
Try speaking with the towing company. Sometimes it may have been a simple oversight, and the matter can be resolved quickly.
Contact the Justice of the Peace in your area, as they may have more insight or resources to help. They are often utilized for towing cases.
Talk to a lawyer. Many lawyers have free case consultations, and depending on the case, it may be worth it to utilize a lawyer.
Source: Oregon Department of Justice, National General, Rak Law Firm
In 2020, 7,700 people signed a Change.org petition, asking the Des Moines Police Department to stop working with the towing company.
The petition claimed vehicles were damaged while being towed, items inside vehicles were stolen, and parking signs were poorly displayed.
However, Crow said the allegations are false. He contends his company is clear about its towing policies.
“We’re a glass fishbowl,” he said.
“Nobody is more open and clear and transparent than our company.”
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