Towing ordinance would require consistent policies

Costa Mesa’s City Council will vote tonight on a new towing ordinance aimed at making requirements for towing companies consistent and fair to those who are towed.

Without new regulations, predatory towing policies could be an extreme burden to Costa Mesans, Assistant City Atty. Harold Potter said. Potter cited examples of tow companies that would tow vehicles long distances, charge exorbitant rates and even damage vehicles.

“They would tow a vehicle from a private apartment complex to Rialto, then when the person got to Rialto they would not take credit cards, they would only take cash. And then with regard to the amount of cash they would take, it was not regulated,” Potter said.

New laws would address these concerns and also require towing operators to be more responsible in hiring and training their workers, Assistant City Manager Tom Hatch said.

— Alan Blank