Petition Statement:  

We, the undersigned residents and advocates, call on Newark officials to protect our community from predatory towing practices by implementing a fair, hourly-based fee structure for impounded vehicles. Excessive flat-rate fees—often charged as if a car were stored for a full day, even when impounded for only an hour—devastate working families, create unnecessary financial strain, and allow unscrupulous towing operators to exploit minor or unverified parking violations.

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Background

In Newark and neighboring cities, many drivers have reported having their vehicles towed—sometimes late at night or under questionable circumstances—and forced to pay steep fees (starting at $580!) based on a 24-hour rate rather than the actual time a car remained in a tow yard. This practice opens the door to predatory behavior, such as roaming the streets for marginal or unsubstantiated “violations,” especially when no direct complaint or call from property management has been made. As a result, residents are frequently blindsided by unexpected tows and charged hundreds of dollars they cannot afford to lose.

These issues are often compounded by dismissive or even harassing customer service experiences when owners attempt to recover their vehicles. In some instances, towing personnel have refused to acknowledge valid visitor passes that had simply fallen from view, citing them as “unseen” or “not present” to justify the impound.

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Why This Matters

1. Unfair Financial Burden

   When a car is held for less than an hour but charged as though it were stored for a full day, families and individuals face enormous bills that can quickly derail tight budgets.

2. Encouraging Dishonest Tows

   Flat fees, regardless of duration, incentivize tow operators to initiate as many tows as possible—rather than verifying that a vehicle is genuinely in violation. This encourages predatory behavior and undermines community trust.

3. Erosion of Transparency

   Without clear guidelines or mandates for hourly billing, drivers have little recourse to dispute questionable or inflated charges—leading to stress, disputes, and, in some cases, escalated conflict.

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Our Demands

1. Hourly or Pro-Rated Fees

   Require towing companies to charge based on actual time in the tow yard. If a vehicle is impounded for 30 minutes, it should not be subject to an entire day’s fee.

2. Verification & Authorization

   Implement clear rules for verifying a violation (such as time-stamped photo evidence) and require explicit authorization from property owners or managers before any tow occurs.

3. Consumer Protection Mechanisms

   Enforce transparent dispute processes, ensuring individuals can promptly contest unwarranted tows and seek restitution if the towing operator cannot prove a legitimate violation.

4. Accountability for Towing Companies

   Impose fines or penalties on operators who engage in repeated predatory practices, including unnecessarily high rates or dismissive treatment of customers.

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Call to Action

We urge Mayor Michael Hannon, Newark City Council Members, and relevant local authorities to adopt or strengthen ordinances preventing towing companies from imposing flat-rate fees for short-term impounds. By signing this petition, you are standing for consumer protection, fair business practices, and an end to predatory towing in Newark. Together, we can create a transparent, equitable system where those who play by the rules aren’t unfairly punished and towing serves its intended purpose—to maintain orderly parking, not to exploit residents.

THANK YOU

-André Thom, J.D.