Victim says his car was violently stolen and then he had to pay to get it back (LA)

[TowForce]

 

[silverhawk]

Trying to blame the towing company for safeguarding his property?  I see the tow company followed the PSC regulated rates and has done nothing but what was asked by the authorities, yet they are trying to make him the villain?

 

There is a process that the owner can request a hearing concerning the towing fees and the process of impoundment for evidence.  

 

We operate a crime scene impoundment for local PDs.  When the vehicle belongs to the "victim" the PD picks up the fees, when it is the perpetrators vehicle he/she must pay to get it back.  The authorities will tell us when car is released if they pay or who pays.  We then decide who gets to pickup the vehicle based on registration, or lien holder with hold harmless.

[rreschran]

This vehicle owner may be a victim of auto theft, but consciously failed to insure his vehicle with appropriate (theft) coverage. I support tow companies that provide a service where they're due payment for their time, effort and storage. If there's so much public sentiment over this issue, let the state's Crime Victim's Fund or PD pay the tab. There should be no level of entitlement requiring tow companies to work for free.  R.

[TowZone]

This all started years ago at a conference of the mayors. There was a prsentation of how stolen vehicle victims "Citizens" (Voters) were being victimized twice. Once when their vehicle was stolen and then when they were charged to get the vehicle back.

 

The solution which was presented was to return the stolen vehicle to the victim at no charge "Free". They were prompted to add this into their police towing contracts which several mayors returned home and put this into action. Back then there were not nearly as many stolen vehicles and the majority were stolen without keys by damaging the ignition. Today nearly every stolen vehicle had the keys left in it. Many were left warming up in the driveway or left running outside a store.

 

This caused the towing companies which agreed to return stolen vehicles for free to become a victim of the system. The number of Stolen Vehicle has risen dramatically over the past decade and many tow companies no longer participate in this program. Some local governments began to pay the charges, but the numbers have become stagering in some areas.

 

Is it the fault of the Police who recovered the Stolen Vehicle then contacted the Towing Company. Is it the fault of the Towing Company the secured the Recovered Stolen Vehicle from further damage. Is it the fault to anyone other than the owner that they did not have full coverage insurance which would cover these costs. Who is at fault that the keys or fob were left in the vehicle. 

 

Yes, carjackings are different situation where the vehicle is forcibly taken (Stolen). Still it goes back to who is the victim. The person who was carjacked is obviously a victim in this crime, but why is the towing company a victim for securing the vhicle. This is a service which is being provided and needs to be compensated in full. Otherwise the vehicle would be location the owner or owners notified of the location of their vehicle which may be taken again. We are finding now that the same vehicle is being taken more than once becuase the key or fob is still available to the theives. Who is at fault for not have it rekeyed and or reprogramed.

 

What are your thoughts, has your tow company returned stolen vehicles of FREE or been compensated through some type of fund?

[yoBdaBenO]

WE get so tired of hearing about how they are a victim. Half do not have insurance, some do not have current registration and the other half do not want to turn it into insurance and are in disbelief the vehicle is not derivable. Then 100% of them were stolen with the keys. The few that were Car Jacked have full coverage insurance. We have had a couple that did not have full coverage, the vehicle wasn't worth much and they didn't have much. We have taken care of those vehicle owners, even gave one a tire and a spare tire. It's just not that often and we don't want to make a big deal out of it cause everyone expect it then. Has anyone else helped someone in need, while still getting paid from others?