Iowans share towing industry frustrations
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Photo illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios. Photo: Linh Ta/Axios
As we reported Monday, a bipartisan group of lawmakers and some Des Moines City Council members support restrictions on Iowa's largely unregulated towing industry.
Catch up quick: Former employees of Crow Tow, the metro's largest towing company, alleged in court documents of a recently settled case that bonuses pushed drivers to violate ethical boundaries and exploit unsuspecting drivers.
- The company denies the allegations and says that some competitors offer lucrative deals to private property owners to gain an edge in the towing industry.
Response from some Axios Des Moines readers:
"I had my car towed (from a private lot adjacent to Eatery A) … They seemed to just be driving around and waiting until someone parked there, even though the parking lot was empty.
- … for businesses along Ingersoll who are trying to operate after daytime business hours, this seems especially punitive when parking is tight already because of construction." — Jill Lippincott, Des Moines
"A friend had their vehicle towed in Iowa City. Left it for less than 10 minutes behind their apartment to load some packages and came out to find the vehicle attached to the tow vehicle.
- Cost $160 to get it released on the spot and was told if they towed it to the lot several blocks away the charge would be at least $350." — Stan Haessig, West Point
"I was towed while cleaning out my brother's apartment (in DSM) after he passed away. The tow sign was so small and obscured by bushes. I had no idea they even monitored the lot. It cost me $200." — Bridget McNerney, Windsor Heights