COPY OF EMAIL SENT TO ALL CITY COUNIL MEMBERS

Predatory Towing- Action Needed
Heather Gulbranson <HEATHERGULBRANSON@hotmail.com>
Fri 5/14/2021 11:52 AM
To:LindaW@dmgov.org <LindaW@dmgov.org>;
carlvoss@dmgov.org <carlvoss@dmgov.org>;
fcownie@dmgov.org <fcownie@dmgov.org>;
pkcmelik@dmgov.org <pkcmelik@dmgov.org>;
billgray@dmgov.org <billgray@dmgov.org>;
joegatto@dmgov.org <joegatto@dmgov.org>;
joshmandelbaum@dmgov.org <joshmandelbaum@dmgov.org>;
connieboesen@dmgov.org <connieboesen@dmgov.org>
1 attachments (144 KB)
petition_comments_jobs_25732354_20210428095134.pdf;

Dear City Council Members-
This email is in regards to the active petition asking you to end the contract with Crow Tow. The petition can be found here:   https://www.change.org/EndCrowTowContract

"Predatory Towing" has become a serious problem to auto owners in Des Moines. 

Some of the towing companies in Des Moines are reputable services providers but the towing company that the Des Moines City Council has awarded the contract to (Crow Tow) engages in predatory towing practices victimizing consumers whose vehicles are parked on public streets and private property. 

Most cities and states have laws or city ordinances to protect consumers from being victimized. The most common of these laws are:

One hour minimum- Many predatory towing companies employ “spotters” to watch spaces and call a tow truck as soon as someone parks illegally. Laws counter this practice by requiring that you must be illegally parked for up to an hour before you can be towed. (unless blocking entrance or exits, fire hydrants, etc)
Unconditional release- If you return to your car before it has been removed, the tow operator must release it to you. 
Ten mile limit- A towing operator may not remove your car more than ten miles away from where it was parked.
Clear warning signs are required- The space in question must clearly be marked as a no-parking, resident only, or some other limitation. Without clear signage, you may not be towed.  Tower must have written consent from property owner or his agent who must have waited one hour before calling for the tow.
Valid towing permit required- Tower must have valid motor carrier permit and shall make all records and photographs of each tow available for law enforcement.
No profit sharing- The towing company may not pay anybody else, such as spotters or the parking lot owner, any type of fee for contacting them to tow a car.
Credit cards accepted. 
Reasonable towing and storage rates. These laws often set limits for the amount that the operators may charge as towing and storage fees. If the company exceeds a reasonable limit with its fees than the company may be required to pay a penalty
Penalty for Excessive Charges -  Consumers who can prove they were charged illegal or excessive towing or storage charges are entitled to 4x the amount charged in small claims court.
Fines for tow truck driver - $2500 fine, civil misdemeanor and/or 3 mo in jail for any towers caught breaking the law

The legitimate business interests of tow truck operators and the needs of private property owners for relief from unauthorized parking must be balanced with the interest in providing appropriate protection to consumers; so we urge you to enact anti-predatory measures for our city.

This petition, which more than 6000 people have signed, is asking you to end the city contact with Crow Tow.   Crow Tow business practices are absolutely predatory but worse than that, we accuse Crow Tow of committing crimes against people while providing work for the City of Des Moines under contract (20-004), with contract terms of 36 months, ending Dec. 31st, 2022.

People have had multiple problems with this company ranging from damage to their vehicles, theft of their personal belongings, towing of vehicles with poorly marked notice (many people had no idea they were parking in a spot that was at risk of being towed), outrageous towing and storage fees, and horrible customer service. 

Petitioners have been urged to comment on the petition stating the reason that they have signed - Attached (19 pages) is all of those comments. Please Please read these comments so you are aware of the specific problems Des Moines residents (and visitors to Des Moines)  have been having with Crow Tow.  You can also visit the BBB website to view the more than 23 BBB claims against Crow Tow. 
 
 
City contracts should only be awarded to reputable companies.

As of today, 6,299 are asking you to end the city contract with Crow Tow- will you listen?