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TLC keeps wrecker zone assignments intact while investigating alleged transfers involving Dads and West Nashville
Summary
The Metropolitan Transportation Licensing Commission renewed most emergency wrecker zone assignments but made the continued holding of zones by Dads Towing and West Nashville contingent on the outcome of an investigation into alleged transfers to Guardian Fleet Services; STR Towing’s application was deferred.
The Metropolitan Transportation Licensing Commission voted to maintain existing emergency wrecker zone assignments for another year while Metro staff investigates allegations that Dads Towing and West Nashville improperly transferred control of their permits to Guardian Fleet Services.
The commission’s decision keeps current zone holders in place but makes the continuation of Dads Towing’s and West Nashville’s zone privileges contingent on the outcome of a TLC investigation into an alleged sale/transfer. Commissioner Butterworth moved the plan, which carried after discussion and a second.
Why it matters: emergency wrecker zones determine which towing companies receive police-initiated, nonconsent tow requests. Several firms and competitors had pressed the commission to revisit zones and ownership records after documents and press releases suggested changes in control.
At the public hearing, attorney Josh Lee of Thompson Burton, speaking for STR Towing, urged the commission to act if it finds any zones open, saying STR “stands ready… to accept those if that would be the Commission’s wish and take those over as early as this afternoon.” Lee also argued the Metro code forbids sale or transfer of emergency wrecker permits and urged the commission to treat recent partner additions as changes in control.
Emily Lam of Winstead P.C., representing Dads Towing and West Nashville Wrecker, asked the commission to renew the zones, telling commissioners her clients “are very outstanding companies” that conduct background checks, pull MVRs and have “never received a notice of violation.” She said the Tennessee Highway Patrol investigated similar ownership allegations and “found in our favor regarding this ownership structure.”
Staff and legal counsel recommended approving zones for the coming year but making approvals for Dads and West Nashville contingent on the TLC’s investigation into whether the companies’ arrangements with Guardian constitute an unlawful transfer. Director Rooker told the commission Metro Legal and TLC staff would work with police to review paperwork and that TLC would consult Metro Legal’s business attorneys for analysis.
Commissioner Klaver summarized statistical work he had conducted showing police-initiated tow calls across zones, noting the distribution of calls among providers. He reported the breakdown across carriers and told the commission that Baileys had 9 percent of calls, Cotton’s 14 percent and, combined, Dads and West Nashville accounted for about 23 percent of police-initiated tows in the data set cited during the meeting.
The commission also deferred STR Towing’s application for an emergency record zone pending the investigation. A separate motion to defer STR’s matter indefinitely while the inquiry proceeds passed.
What comes next: TLC staff will investigate the alleged transfer and consult Metro Legal; if TLC finds a code violation, the commission may open disciplinary proceedings and reassign any zones that become available. The commission directed staff to assemble evidence and to consult with the parties who spoke at the hearing.
For now, the vote preserves continuity of service for police-initiated calls while preserving TLC’s ability to act if the investigation finds a code violation.
