From the desk of Lance Haver, Director of Civic Engagement for Philadelphia City Council.
City Council recently enacted legislative measures to protect Philadelphians from predatory tow truck practices. Regardless of whether you are parked illegally, you car must be ticketed by law enforcement before it can be towed to a lot. Following is the Philadelphia Police Department’s synopsis of the new law:
New Law for Authorized Towing Companies in the City of Philadelphia
As of February 1, 2017, it is required that all illegally parked vehicles be ticketed at the location where the vehicle is to be towed by a law enforcement officer, prior to their being towed, hooked, or handled from a private parking lot, private property or driveway, except for hospital premises and towing within a licensed lot.
Please call 911 to report an illegally parked vehicle that has not been ticketed. The Philadelphia Police Department will dispatch a police officer or coordinate with other law enforcement agencies in the City to expedite the issuance of any tickets.
Before issuing a ticket, the Philadelphia Police Department or other authorized enforcement authority will determine whether or not the vehicle has been stolen. If the vehicle has been stolen, the vehicle shall not be hooked, towed, or handled. These vehicles will be recovered and transferred via the Philadelphia Police Department.
Authorized tow companies may relocate a vehicle within a licensed parking lot. However, the vehicle may not leave the lot prior to ticketing. Authorized tow companies may relocate a vehicle from a hospital, provided an employee designated by the hospital completes a form.
City Council passed these measures to prevent drivers from having their cars illegally towed and to protect people whose vehicles have been stolen. Please let me know if you believe this new law is not being enforced.
Lance Haver
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Photo used under Creative Commons license.
