I disagree with the city capping tow charges, at least not without a lot more information on the subject. Much like landlords, towing companies are easily stereotyped as the scourge of the city, yet they provide a valuable service.
It's easy to say that $200 to get your car back is excessive, but what do we know about the costs associated with running a towing company? I would imagine that employees must be paid fairly well since they have to stand up to all the abuse and threats that get heaped upon tow truck operators by owners of illegally parked vehicles. I doubt many people would do that for long if the job paid peanuts. I would also imagine insurance rates and security costs must be pretty high for a business like this as well. I remember reading last year about a guy who busted into a local towing company's lot to get his car back rather than pay the towing fee. While it may sound like a good idea, people who pull a stunt like that can be charged with burglary, even though it's their own car. A couple years ago, the MN Daily profiled Gopher Towing. I found it to be somewhat enlightening: http://www.daily.umn.edu/articles/2001/09/27/3965 Personally, I think that towing charges could be higher, especially in areas where the illegally-parked car poses a safety hazard or in areas where there is already limited parking. Mark Snyder Windom Park REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
