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Council hears reports of predatory towing; staff to propose ordinance amendments
Summary
Council members described complaints that tow companies are charging residents amounts above city caps and holding cars at private lots. City staff and a police representative said they are drafting ordinance amendments to improve notifications and align city code with state law and that enforcement can include charges against operators and property owners.
Councilmembers raised constituent complaints alleging predatory towing practices in Florence, and city staff outlined next steps to revise the towing ordinance.
Councilman McCall and another council member described numerous reports that people were charged well above the municipal cap and that vehicles were being taken to private lots and held for higher fees. One council member summarized reports of customers being charged "upward of 250 to $300" when caps are lower.
City staff said the finance committee had reviewed potential amendments and that staff are preparing language to strengthen notification requirements between tow companies and the police department and to better align the city ordinance with state law. A police representative explained the enforcement process: if notified, police will investigate whether the city ordinance and state guidelines were followed and that penalties can be applied to both tow operators and business owners where agreements exist. The police representative also clarified that rotational tows called by law enforcement follow South Carolina Department of Public Safety fee schedules, while private-property tows are governed by local ordinance and business arrangements.
Council directed staff to continue drafting ordinance amendments and bring a first draft to the finance committee and the city attorney before returning to council for further action.
