By Susan Dickson
Staff Writer
CHAPEL HILL – Following pleas from residents to tighten regulations on towing companies, the Chapel Hill Town Council on Monday took a look at possible changes to the town’s towing ordinance that would require companies to make some changes.
The Chapel Hill Police Department has received 20 written complaints with regards to towing in the downtown area since April, and town staff have drafted changes to the towing ordinance that would require towing companies to accept credit and debit cards, expand the towing ordinance limiting fees town-wide and require towing companies to notify the police department prior to towing a vehicle. Carrboro already requires towing companies to accept credit and debt cards as payment.
Residents argue that towing fees for cars towed outside of the central business district – where regulations limit such fees to $100 – are too high, with some companies charging $200, and that the cash-only policies of most companies are unfair. In addition, residents have complained that storage locations in remote areas are unsafe and that “walk-off†towing, which occurs when a driver parks at one business and visits another while parked there, is a predatory practice.
Towing companies say they have to recoup costs lost by the limited downtown towing fees by charging higher fees outside of the downtown area and that those who pay towing fees with a credit card could cancel the charges later.
Jeremy Edwards of George’s Towing said the biggest complaint he hears from those whose cars are towed is that they didn’t see signage telling them not to park there.
“People have to stand up and take responsibility for what they do,†he said.
C.D. Mock said that when his car was towed, he called the towing company to ask for directions and was never told he could only pay for his car with cash.
“When I finally find the place, my anger turns to compassion because there’s three young 18-, 19-year-old college girls sitting in their cars in the middle of the night in … a place that looks like something out of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre,†he said, adding that towing companies take advantage of university students. “We need these regulations.â€
Council members said they wanted to hear from business owners about towing practices, since they are the ones who contract with the towing companies.
“I think predatory towing is really bad for business,†council member Gene Pease said.
Council member Laurin Easthom said walk-off towing is unreasonable.
“I don’t think it’s good for business in Chapel Hill … to have to get in your car to go to another place across the street.â€
Council members also said they would like to consider requiring additional signage, such as a sign in every parking space in a lot.
The council will revisit the issue at a meeting on Feb. 13.