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Residents say predatory towing is targeting Clear Pond Estates; council vows to investigate
Summary
A Clear Pond Estates resident told the Cocoa City Council that Junk Man's Towing has towed hundreds of vehicles from the complex in the past two years, leaving low-income residents with steep recovery fees; the council discussed possible municipal responses and asked staff to investigate signage, property management agreements and public-right-of-way distinctions.
Shirley Jones told the Cocoa City Council on March 24 that residents at Clear Pond Estates (also called Candlewood) have experienced persistent, costly towing by a single company, and she asked the city to intervene.
"This has been happening over 200 residents, visitors, and food drivers... If you catch the towman with your car up on the toe, you have to pay $200 for him to get it off the toe. If not, you have to pay about $500 to get your car out of tow," Jones said. She told the council she sold her grandson's $500 video gaming system to cover the fee after her car was towed on March 13. "We are people that of low income stature. We live paycheck to paycheck," she said.
Council members asked clarifying questions about where the tows occurred, whether apartment signage or lease provisions notify residents and visitors of towing rules, and whether the problem stems from private property management decisions or activities in the public right of way. Deputy Mayor Goins and Council member Hearn said they had fielded similar complaints from other neighborhoods and suggested staff research how other cities limit predatory towing.
Commander Marqua told the speaker the police department is not in charge of apartment towing contracts and apologized for the impact on residents; he confirmed property managers typically contract with tow companies and that enforcement on private property is primarily a property-management issue. City staff and council members discussed reviewing ordinances that apply to towing, signage and notice requirements, and the need to determine whether specific incidents occurred on private property or on public streets.
Council members asked Jones to gather impacted residents and document incidents; she and other residents said they are preparing a petition documenting the frequency of tows. Council members said they would "hear" the complaint, research options and follow up with staff about possible code changes or enforcement steps.
The council did not enact a new ordinance at the meeting but agreed to investigate and requested staff return with findings and options.
