Township to take up issue of predatory towing BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer WOODBRIDGE - Township officials introduced an ordinance that looks to curb the practice of private towing companies towing motor vehicles parked in privately owned parking lots without warning. "The ordinance is in response to aggressive towing tactics that have occurred across the street from town hall," said Mayor John E. McCormac. "These tactics were not even directed by the tenant, and the vehicles were taken without their discretion, which is outright wrong," The mayor said the proposed ordinance would follow the recent state "Predatory Towing Prevention Act," which regulates the removal of vehicles that are on private property without proper authorization. Assembly members Robert Gordon, Nilsa Cruz-Perez, Gordon M. Johnson and Louis M. Manzo sponsored the bill. The Township Council will discuss and vote on the predatory towing prevention ordinance at the next council meeting on Aug. 28. The proposed ordinance says a towing company shall not tow any motor vehicle parked for an unauthorized purpose from any privately owned parking lot without the consent of the motor vehicle owner or operator unless there is a sign approximately 36 inches high and 36 inches wide posted in a conspicuous place at all vehicular entrances to the property. The sign should state the times parking is permitted, that unauthorized parking is prohibited, and that unauthorized motor vehicles will be towed at the owner's expense. The name and telephone number of the towing company that will perform the towing and the charges for the towing and storage of towed motor vehicles and the decoupling fee should also be stated. The proposed ordinance goes on to say that a towing company shall not remove a motor vehicle from private property without the consent of the owner or operator of the vehicle until obtaining the written authorization from the property owner or lessee or its employee or agent who shall be present at the time of the removal to verify the alleged violation if it occurs during normal business hours. The two exceptions to the written authorization are if a motor vehicle interferes with the entrance or exit of the property or if the vehicle is parked on private property within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, standpipe or other water source for fighting fires, in a fire lane, or in any space that is indicated by sign or painted curb as a no-parking area. A towing company shall, upon removal of a vehicle, notify the police department whenever the owner or operator of the vehicle is not present at the time the vehicle is towed. The proposed ordinance adds that a charge to the owner or operator of a motor vehicle that is just hitched onto the tow truck should be no more than a $50 decoupling fee. The proposed ordinance also includes penalties for any tower who violates any provision in the ordinance, by a fine not to exceed $1,000 or by imprisonment for a term not to exceed 90 days, or both.