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I have seen reports of a Tow Truck being struck by a vehicle that drove up the side of the bed then rolled over. None of these have given a location and a couple have stated the driver was also struck. I cannot confirm any of these and none of those who have posted have responded. Perhaps someone here is located in or around St. Louis and has more details.

Old septic tank safely removed from St. Pete yard after tow truck driver crushed it, tried to fill hole with dirt. https://www.wfla.com/8-on-your-side/better-call-behnken/old-septic-tank-safely-removed-from-st-pete-yard-after-tow-truck-driver-crushed-it-tried-to-fill-hole-with-dirt/

Melville, my comments stem from the type of training which CTTA is conducting in California. Perhaps, Quinn Piening the current CTTA President can add to this topic of discussion. @WEDOTOWS

@Melville I hear you and it has been nearly the same across the country for a few decades now. I will say that I have seen some associations making more of an effort to turn that around. Involving companies in their training has lead some back into the group. What is the incentive, members save on training expense compared to non members. Also, the training has advanced as well and that is something will will be exploring more over the next few months. What types of training are these association conducting now compared to just a few years ago. Also, while advanced training may have been something a number of companies avoided in the past. That is getting much more difficult today and taking the training has save companies money compared to those that didn't take the training. How you ask, my response is both Time & Money. Time is Money and Damages which could have been avoided save both Time & Money. There is also a safety aspect, most companies preach roadside safety. However, they do not teach roadside safety. So, I can relate to the frustrations of the Good Old Boy Associations of the past. Though, they seem to have faded over the past few years. Maybe someone involved with those Towing Associations can chime in here.

Tow truck driver shot dead in Bronx auto shop gunfight, cops say A tow truck driver was shot dead inside a Bronx auto shop this week when a gunfight erupted during a dispute about a repair, according to authorities and police sources. The 32-year-old victim and another man, 19, were inside First Choice Automotive on Randall Avenue near Bryant Avenue in Hunts Point, arguing about a vehicle around 1:40 p.m. Tuesday when the younger man pulled out a gun and fired several times, striking the victim in the torso, according to cops and sources. The older man returned fire, striking the teen in the arm and torso, police said. Both men were taken to Lincoln Medical Center, where the older man was pronounced dead. The 19-year-old was taken into custody, with charges pending, cops said. Cops confirmed that the victim — whose name has not been released pending family notification — was a tow truck driver, but did not know whether he was affiliated with the shop. The victim was arrested last month in connection to a hit-and-run accident that killed another motorist, a 56-year-old man, at Oak Point Avenue and Manida Street in Hunts Point the evening of June 30, cops said. He was charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death. RESOURCE LINK

With the understanding there are several TowForce Members that do not use or have sworn off Facebook. There is a You Tube Option... Only the chat function is not the same. Feel Free to Post "In the House" anyway.

Join me in the conversation tonight as Honk with AT Expos explore 2021 Tow Shows. I have two requests. First: When you enter the the discussion type "TowForce in the House!" if you prefer it can be your company name in the house. Just make sure to use "In The House!" Second: List what if Any Tow Shows you will be attending this year. See ya in the Live Chat tonight. https://www.facebook.com/honk4help

Thanks @Sue Moreland missed the Indiana Tow Show this year. Could not work it into our schedule. But, I assure you TowForce will be there next year, can't wait to check out the venue at the working farm.

Randall, can you believe I actually listened to the entire explanation? I would have watched it, but I had far too much to get done today. I did skip around when it sounded as though he was showing images of some importance. But, the narrative explains it rather well to a tow truck operator or even a driver that has been involved in PPI's or not. The Sheriff has all the cards "Evidence" which relates to the business practices which lead up to the shooting. A shooting which as spelled out was not justified as stand your ground which the tow company owner had already convinced himself it would be prior to pulling the trigger. Actually, it may have been prior to the event that he felt would be his justification should the event result in a "Use Of Force". Everyone that carries a weapon of any type, should be aware of the numerous factors which must be present and you must present in your defense. This is always my fear that those who choose to carry have not gotten into the proper mindset and gotten the proper training. That weapon, be it a Gun, a Bat, A J-Hook is a Last Resort and not a First Reaction. It is a Last Resort and sometimes must be used when equal force is being presented. Disclosure: I Open Carry, Conceal Carry Off Duty Only. I have given this much thought as up until a few years ago I had not carried on duty. With the way things have gone, the percentages of drivers who carry will likely increase every year. That is if the stories of drivers being shot continue to increase every year. It's just are reality and many companies which said they would never allow their drivers to carry are now rethinking that decision. "The Factors of Society are Causing Change" Right, Wrong, we can debate that at some point if you like. What is Right for one, may be Wrong for another.

I forgot to add, do not purchase the consolable Traffic Cones. Those things a JUNK, they are a pain to set up and put away. As well they do not age well at all. Other than that the Guardian Angel is a must. While it does not set a perimeter, you can attach it to the side of the vehicle you are working on. Just remember to take it off, so you don't have to chase it down. Always best though to use your vehicle to block when doing tire changes. Be sure to turn the wheels into traffic. Yeah, it took a few times explaining the reason for turning them into traffic rather then away. But, I got it.

Triangles are the worst, even more so when the are used improperly. They are designed to be a low cost solution. In order to be effective at all they must be set up properly. The electronic flares take less time to set up, however in my opinion offer no more hazard warning then the triangles, though they may be more noticeable the ones I use are constantly being struck when placed in the roadway. With that in mind that is the lane that drivers should have slowed down in of not moved over. This is how I found these one night, earlier I saw a HD Tow Truck picking up a TT. It was too dark to get the name of the company, so they are still in my side box. Likely belong to the trucker and one or the other fialed to pick them up prior to leaving. Anyone else ever done that, I left an electronic flare in a bad curve. Drove around the loop and it was gone already. If you have the room for them the regular rubber style traffic cones with an LED Slashing Light may be best. These may work well for the type of work you're doing. What out for the crappy plastic stands on some. I'll see if I can get a better image of the LED Flares I carry and rarely use.

This bears repeating: "Law Enforcement has to write tons of citations to make a difference by hitting "Them D' drivers in the pockets." If LE doesn't make a concerted effort to enforce SDMO laws, threats of fines fall on deaf ears." I cannot stress hard enough securing the vehicle just to get it to a safer location, then completing the tie down/hook up. Far too many take far too long, in the roadway or on the side. Often there is a ramp not far from the hook up point. Only issue I have heard is some states will fine a driver company if the vehicle is not fully secured when leaving the scene. This needs to be addressed. With even more officers being struck along the roadways, one would think the urgency would increase.

Randall, I know there are at least a couple of simple solutions. The part that gets me, it seems 30 Tow Companies on rotation is extreme overkill. I'd like to know if any of them are get more than one tow a day. I would think you would only need an impound lot that holds 30 vehicles max if that is the case. I am assuming each company has it's own impound lot and do not share lots. I know in some areas in the past one company has run multiple names to get more rotation calls. I would not think that was the case anymore.

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TowForce in the House! I have been asked to define "In the house" this is a slang expression used to announce someone's arrival. Often, the person who says it is announcing their own arrival. So, as TowForce Admin I am announcing my arrival in a Live Stream. I will be doing this each time I enter a Live Stream. I ask that our members do the same. Prefer to announce your arrival in the Live Stream. It's all Good Let's start a trend and see how far it goes. "Company Name in the house!" of course the representation of "TowForce in the House!" is most appreciated. If you did not catch the Live Streams from the Texas Tow Expo this weekend, we will do our best to get those up. It seems FB no longer allows those to be copied shared to YouTube. The FB Member posting the Live Stream must copy it over to YouTube. If anyone knows of a program that allows those video's to be saved let me know. Be careful video download programs you download...

Seems like not a week goes by that there is not a story about the towing companies in Chattanooga. Wrecker Board Trying To Work Out Better Process For Owners Of Towed Vehicles To Find Their Cars Discussion at the last Wrecker Board meeting brought owners of several wrecker companies to a meeting Thursday morning. The city is attempting to streamline the process and make it easier for people trying to find their vehicles and retrieve them after they have been towed. Currently the city has about 30 towing business participating in the city’s rotation list3. Each of them has their own storage lots. When a car is towed, it is often daunting for an owner to track down his or her car and get it back. And about 25 percent of the buildings and lots are in locations or in a condition that warrants being classified as worrisome, said Board Chairman Bill Glascock, who is heading the study. The wrecker board’s goal is to make the process better, not to take money away from the wrecker companies, he said. All major cities in Tennessee have fewer storage lots or just one, said Officer John Collins. Owners of the towing businesses at the meeting cited their large costs to operate, including the high costs of the tow trucks, equipment and insurance. And 20-30 percent of their business comes from storage, the board was told. They also make money from second tows, such as moving a vehicle from their lot to a body shop. If those sources of revenue are taken away, smaller companies will leave their districts and operate strictly in Hamilton County, the board was told. Tow truck owners want to be part of the conversation for making it easier for people to get their cars. The owners were urged to participate and will be contacted by Mr. Glascock. A compromise will be sought that can make it better for all, he said. RESOURCE LINK

Well, we got to hear the opening of TowExpo. Watch the TowForce Center Stage for more Lives.

OK, I had a request to add the San Antonio Texas TowExpo Roll Call Link. There are more Sponsor Replies in there, add yours from Texas with images.