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Monday, July 30, 2012

City McGinn and Licata Try to Do Something About Those Crazy-High Towing Fees

Posted by Eli Sanders on Mon, Jul 30, 2012 at 2:50 PM

Remember the $800 towing bill that Danny Westneat's been trying to prevent from happening again?

Today Councilman Nick Licata and Mayor Mike McGinn got into the action, proposing a cap on fees for towing a vehicle from private property in Seattle:

Standard impounds will be capped at $156.75, and storage rates are limited to $15.50 for up to 12 hours.

Also proposed by the mayor and Licata: background checks for tow truck operators, workers available 24 hours a day to release an impounded vehicle, and a complaint investigation procedure for instances when, say, an $800 towing bill pops up again.

It's a good start, but it's just a start; the council will have to consider and approve these new regulations first. Still, McGinn—whose press conference on towing fees got shoved off the Seattle Channel by today's arena news—is trying to make the most of this chance to talk about protecting car drivers. He says:

This proposal protects Seattle visitors and residents from predatory towing fee policies. After performing extensive outreach to all stakeholders, we believe it is fair to all parties, including towing operators. I thank Councilmember Licata for his work on this proposal and look forward to Council action to make this proposal the law.

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Comments (9) RSS

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This is absolutely needed. Allowing Lincoln Towing to just extort whatever they please from people is outrageous. I love what good Christians they are.

Posted by biffp on July 30, 2012 at 3:36 PM

Maybe we could just cut to the chase and declare stealing someone's car and holding it for ransom to be, you know, car theft and extortion.

I know, I know, sometimes it's necessary, and part of me wants to just admit that, and grant that it's perfectly okay to, say, tow people out of street parking on arterials when they're supposed to be open, but the greasy rednecks' attitudes just drive me up the wall. I swear if I should ever fuck up and get towed again - one time I overslept, one time - I'll stage a cutting-out expedition on Lincoln rather than hand the smug, leering hogfucker behind the counter my debit card again.

Posted by balderdash

on July 30, 2012 at 3:44 PM

My new favorite show, Parking Wars:

http://www.aetv.com/parking-wars/

Soon to come to Seattle as those who destroy all that is Holy continue their scourge of devouring the PNW and turning it into the same East Coastish Hellhole that the original settlers fled from back in the 80s.

Posted by Supreme Ruler Of The Universe

on July 30, 2012 at 3:51 PM

@2, I'm with you on the cutting out expedition. One time I forget that Stewart Stewart needs six lanes after 8am, and it costs me a small fortune. Bad enough I want to smash the smug counterperson into next week, but don't fucking post the Jesus fish all over when you're stealing as much money as the mayor and city council allow you to.

Posted by biffp on July 30, 2012 at 3:57 PM

If McGinn and Licata get this passed and enforced, they just might have my vote for life...

It would be nice if we could also get the legislature to pass a statute awarding treble damages, actual attorney fees, and a generous defrayment for time wasted to all successful plaintiffs in civil suits against towing companies.

Next, it would be nice if the City got off its ass and did something serious about getting us all better, faster, cheaper broadband...

Posted by PCM on July 30, 2012 at 5:41 PM

As a foot soldier in the War on Cars, I applaud these exorbitant fees. Honestly, if you're too stupid to read a no parking sign (or too arrogant/self-absorbed to park in fire lanes, traffic lanes, etc), you deserve exorbitant fees like this.

Posted by sanotehu on July 30, 2012 at 5:48 PM

@6
Hey, talking about people too stupid to read... this is about PRIVATE impounds not people parked in fire lanes, traffic, bus stops, or whatever PUBLIC infraction you mention in your post. Reading comprehension, try it before calling others stupid.

Posted by SchmuckyTheCat on July 30, 2012 at 7:09 PM

@7, while the most exorbitant fees are from private lots, the public rates aren't cheap either; can easily be 300+ depending on when and where you're towed from. Anyhow, I clearly didn't intend for my list of "stupid ways people get towed" to be comprehensive. You're equally stupid for parking in someone's assigned spot at an apartment complex, or not paying for a private lot, et cetera.

Posted by sanotehu on July 30, 2012 at 7:52 PM