Council committee debates ordinance to curb predatory private‑property towing and require licensing, signage and registration

Council members and public safety officials spent more than an hour discussing draft ordinance language aimed at preventing predatory towing from private lots in Allentown, with attention on consistent signage, tow‑operator registration, limits on drive‑around practices, and how to set fair fees for partial versus full tows.

Councilman Mike Napoli opened the item saying he had received multiple complaints and police reports of “predatory towing” that frequently targeted women and charged exorbitant fees, and he recommended strengthening the city’s private‑property towing rules. Napoli told the committee the proposed ordinance would not apply to city streets or Allentown Parking Authority lots but would affect tows arranged by private property owners.

“All of them say ‘your car could be towed,’ but many don’t list who to call,” Napoli said, arguing for a consistent signage requirement that names the towing operator and provides contact information. He also urged a registry of tow operators who…