'They're a menace': London Towing Association supports by-law enforcement
The London Towing Association said it is pleased with the results of a recent city by-law blitz in the industry, but would have liked to see more action sooner.
"They're a menace," said Dwayne Cameron, the association's president, referring to the 12 companies hit with penalties under the city's towing regulations.
In total, 92 violations and 10 warnings were issued, and there are still pending business license suspensions, according to the city.
"One of the main complaints from first responders is the chaos at the accident scene because of the number of tow trucks that have arrived," said Orest Katolyk, the city's municipal compliance director.
"There's five, six, seven tow trucks there," explained Cameron. "They're blocking up the streets, blocking the road. They're just causing a nuisance."
Last year, the city introduced limits on towing fees, capping them at $275, but the investigation found multiple companies were charging well beyond that, or weren't able to provide adequate documentation to prove they were charging legal rates.
"We did a search of the invoices at accident scenes and identified numerous violations for tow charges from accident scenes, as well as impound charges," said Katolyk.
The city capped storage fees at $50 a day.
There has also been a series of violent incidents in the towing sector recently, which includes an arson investigation into burned vehicles, and gunshots fired at a tow truck by a rival company.
Tow trucks that were damaged in suspected arson are seen in London, Ont. on Nov. 14, 2022. (Jim Knight/CTV News London)
This enforcement blitz was planned "well before" those incidents, according to Katolyk.
Going forward, public and first responder feedback will dictate future bylaw action.
"It's largely complaint driven," said Kotalyk. "It's also very much data driven. So if we have a category that nobody is complaining about and everything is running smoothly, there's no cost benefit to doing a blitz."
There's no shortage of complaints in towing though, added Cameron, as customers are often targeted with price gouging tactics by companies that will lie about their options.
"We had an incident Saturday where they actually said that they were affiliated with us, and they weren't," said Cameron.
Cameron offered one final piece of advice to drivers.
"You have the right to choose whoever you want,” he said. “You don't have to use the first on scene. Call whoever you want."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING 122 active wildfires burning across Canada, 32 considered 'out of control'
The 2024 wildfire season has begun, and it's shaping up to follow last year's unprecedented destruction in kind, with thousands of square kilometres already consumed.
B.C. parents sentenced to 15 years for death of 6-year-old boy
A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has sentenced the mother and stepfather of a six-year-old boy who died from blunt-force trauma in 2018 to 15 years in prison.
Veteran TSN sportscaster Darren Dutchyshen has died
Veteran TSN broadcaster Darren 'Dutch' Dutchyshen, one of Canada’s best-known sports journalists, has died. He was 57. His family says 'he passed as he was surrounded by his closest loved ones.'
Miller scores late as Canucks grind out 3-2 win over Oilers in Game 5
J.T. Miller scored in the final minute of the game and the Vancouver Canucks came back for a 3-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5 of their second-round playoff series Thursday.
Think twice before sharing 'heartbreaking' social media posts, RCMP warn
Mounties in B.C. are urging people to think twice before sharing "heartbreaking posts" on social media.
Police issue Canada-wide warrant for Regina homicide suspect
Police have issued a Canada-wide warrant for a man wanted in a homicide which occurred in Regina on May 12.
Trudeau calls New Brunswick's Conservative government a 'disgrace' on women's rights
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assailed New Brunswick's premier and other conservative leaders on Thursday, calling out the provincial government's position on abortion, LGBTQ youth and climate change.
Kevin Spacey receives star support as he fights to get his career back
Kevin Spacey is pushing back on the 'rush to judgment' against him and is being backed by some big names as he seeks to reclaim his acting career.
Speaker cuts ties with Sask. Party, alleges he faced threats, harassment from gov't MLAs
The Speaker of the Saskatchewan Legislature Randy Weekes has severed ties with the Sask. Party after accusing some members of harassment and intimidation tactics, including a situation he claimed saw the Government House Leader bring a hunting rifle to the legislative building.