Resident urges Bedford to craft ordinance after alleged QR-only booting by tow operator

A Bedford resident on Jan. 13 urged the City Council to direct staff to draft a consumer-protection ordinance after describing what he called predatory vehicle-booting practices by a private company.

John Larson, who identified himself as a Logan Apartments resident, told the council that state law (Texas Occupations Code chapter 2308) requires a boot operator to display a notice with a telephone number answered 24 hours a day so owners can arrange prompt removal. Larson said Capital Tow Inc. instead directs vehicle owners to a QR code and a proprietary payment website and buries the phone contact in automated prompts.

"Capital Tow fails this and instead directs people to a QR code and pay through a proprietary site," Larson said. He told the council that he witnessed a vehicle owner who waited well over an hour for a driver to arrive and who was still required to pay the full fee; he said a Bedford Police officer told the person the matter was a private-property civil issue and could not be assisted, a response Larson said effectively nullifies the statute.

Larson asked the council to instruct staff to draft a comprehensive local ordinance to protect residents and close enforcement gaps. He said he has shared documentation with the city manager and an attorney at the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation and asked for a local enforcement mechanism.

Mayor acknowledged the concern and said the city is reviewing ordinances and will add this item to the list for review. No formal motion or vote was taken on the matter during the meeting.