Crow Tow returns four years after controversial end
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Polk County is bringing back Crow Tow for its vehicle impound services, four years after it distanced itself from the towing company due to public scrutiny.
Why it matters: Polk County is reopening the door to a company some officials say takes advantage of residents — a move critics say ignores years of complaints.
Flashback: In 2021, Polk County backed off a deal with Crow Tow after public outcry over the company's practices and treatment of residents.
- A 2024 Axios investigation found continued criticism of the company in Des Moines, where it operates under a separate city contract.
Driving the news: The Polk County Board of Supervisors approved a new contract with Crow Tow in a 3-2 vote Tuesday — despite pointed objections from two members.
- Supervisor Angela Connolly noted past complaints about the company before voting no.
- Supervisor Tom Hockensmith referenced his "extremely bad experience" with the company, adding that "they seem to prey on specific people and specific areas."
Tow Crow's contract with the county begins July 1 and runs through June 2028.
Between the lines: Interim County Administrator Frank Marasco told supervisors the contract with G&S Towing Service was up for renewal, prompting the county to solicit new bids.
- "Crow Tow was by far and away the most responsive bidder," Marasco said.
G&S did not respond to Axios' requests for comment on Tuesday.
Zoom in: Marasco noted that Crow Tow's proposal includes a "one-stop" vehicle release process — similar to what's recently been implemented in Des Moines — eliminating the need for vehicle owners to first visit the sheriff's office and freeing up a county employee to do other work.
- The bid also included the use of body cameras, which Marasco said helped differentiate Crow Tow.
Context: The county contract does not apply to private property tows — the source of many of Crow Tow's past controversies.
- Crow Tow mainly responds to crashes and tows wrecks for the county.
What they're saying: "Crow Tow has been portrayed as engaging in predatory practices when, in truth, they are performing a vital service for private property owners who have problems with unauthorized parking," Marc Beltrame, a lobbyist and spokesperson for Crow Tow, tells Axios.
- The company would support a city ordinance or legislation to standardize tow signs and to regulate bill itemization for customer transparency, he said.
State of play: Heather Gulbranson of Des Moines is trying to change towing laws statewide to require standardized signage after spending years advocating for better protections in the city.
- Gulbranson says her daughter was towed by Crow Tow several years ago after parking in a space that didn't have visible signage. She was left without transportation, she recalled.
- After struggling to implement changes in Des Moines, she has launched a petition to encourage state lawmakers to adopt better consumer practices, such as requiring clear private parking lot signage and allowing people to retrieve belongings from their cars.
The intrigue: Records show Dawn Thornton, the wife of Crow Tow owner Randy Crow, donated $1,000 in May 2024 to Supervisors Mark Holm and Jill Altringer — two of the three supervisors who voted in favor of the contract.
- Holm and Altringer told Axios the donation did not influence their votes.