Wreckers charge fee when drug paraphernalia is found

[TowNews]

 

 

Did you know that as of last year, wrecker services in West Virginia can charge $250 if any biohazardous material (needles, pipes, blood, drugs, etc) is found in your car after a tow?

In the wake of that crash at Ritter Park on Monday, one local tow company tells me they've been using the fee to vaccinate their employees for the last year.

 

 

[goodmichael]

I think one should be trained to always consider the interior of a vehicle to be contaminated with blood born pathogens. A person working as an operator or at a towing facility really has no business digging through a car once it is impounded. Puncture resistant gloves should be worn at all times when anywhere near a vehicle. The exception to this rule obviously is for a repossessed vehicle where personal property is removed and stored. You need to assume that there are items in the vehicle that can cause you harm. Over the years, I have seen some really sloppy methods for storing personal property. One of the best was a company that had wooden racks built that held plastic tote style bins. It sure assisted in getting a mouthy subject out of the office in a hurry.