Would this have been a legal draw/shoot to stop abduction?

[JustMe]

http://thestir.cafemom.com/in_the_news/ ... 1#comments

Far too many of these wrecker drivers are opportunistic borderline criminals.

As the owner of a professional wrecker service, I have to take exception to this generalization. Licensed wrecker services can only use drivers that meat the guidelines by TDLR which includes background checks.

I do agree that there are some "free-style" guys out there, but they are the exception and generally don't last long once someone finds out about them.

Professional services pay big $$$ for their trucks, their licensing, their insurance----and their drivers.

[JALLEN]

http://thestir.cafemom.com/in_the_news/ ... 1#comments

Far too many of these wrecker drivers are opportunistic borderline criminals.

As the owner of a professional wrecker service, I have to take exception to this generalization. Licensed wrecker services can only use drivers that meat the guidelines by TDLR which includes background checks.

I do agree that there are some "free-style" guys out there, but they are the exception and generally don't last long once someone finds out about them.

Professional services pay big $$$ for their trucks, their licensing, their insurance----and their drivers.

He didn't say YOU were one. At least you agree there are some "cowboys" out there.

They pay big bucks for trucks, licensing and insurance and have to earn it back. I still want to know why this tow truck showed up to tow so quickly. Was it called by property management, free lancing or what?

When somebody parks inappropriately, it can be aggravating. When someone is towed, it is definitely inconvenient. We had a client get towed from a former office parking lot. They arrived, misread the signs and parked in a reserved spot. The proper occupant arrived, couldn't park, called the property manager who got the tow truck in there and the car removed very quickly. Very expensive. Justified? .... well, like The Old Rancher often taught, there is always a disadvantage to messing up.

[DEB]

That must be the fastest Tow Truck Operation in the World. A father leaves his kids sleeping in a car while he hurries up and goes inside an Apartment? I am thinking 2-3 minutes, if what he is saying is true. During that time the Apartment Manager calls for Tow Truck support, Tow Truck arrives, hooks up to the car and leaves all within that supposedly short period of time? Nope no sympathy from me for good old Pops. IMO he needs charged for Child Endangerment.

[gthaustex]

More likely the tow truck operator was parked in the complex , with their blessing, watching and waiting for someone to park in violation of the rules. That is how he was there so quickly.....

[JustMe]

More likely the tow truck operator was parked in the complex , with their blessing, watching and waiting for someone to park in violation of the rules. That is how he was there so quickly.....

and that is why I don't think it was a fully licensed, wrecker service. We stay so busy that we can't offer service like that!!

[tomtexan]

More likely the tow truck operator was parked in the complex , with their blessing, watching and waiting for someone to park in violation of the rules. That is how he was there so quickly.....

and that is why I don't think it was a fully licensed, wrecker service. We stay so busy that we can't offer service like that!!

In Houston, from what I understand, that is the norm. Towing services are contracted by apartment complexes to watch the lots on a regular basis. They patrol apartment parking lots frequently. If I remember correctly, that is where (Houston) this particular incident took place. For years and years, the towing business in Houston has always been a problem as well as other big cities, but Houston being the worst. And for years the towing business wasn't watched as closely as it is now. Since the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation began oversight of the industry in 2008, it is a whole new ball game. One of the primary reasons that TDLR took over as the "towing police" was because of the unscrupulous practices that some towing companies implemented. Private property towing was one them. TDLR has cleaned it up some by way of exorbitant fines and penalties. And when I say fines, it's not just hundreds of dollars, it's thousands of dollars.

[EEllis]

http://thestir.cafemom.com/in_the_news/ ... 1#comments

Far too many of these wrecker drivers are opportunistic borderline criminals.

As the owner of a professional wrecker service, I have to take exception to this generalization. Licensed wrecker services can only use drivers that meat the guidelines by TDLR which includes background checks.

I do agree that there are some "free-style" guys out there, but they are the exception and generally don't last long once someone finds out about them.

Professional services pay big $$$ for their trucks, their licensing, their insurance----and their drivers.

He didn't say YOU were one. At least you agree there are some "cowboys" out there.

They pay big bucks for trucks, licensing and insurance and have to earn it back. I still want to know why this tow truck showed up to tow so quickly. Was it called by property management, free lancing or what?

When somebody parks inappropriately, it can be aggravating. When someone is towed, it is definitely inconvenient. We had a client get towed from a former office parking lot. They arrived, misread the signs and parked in a reserved spot. The proper occupant arrived, couldn't park, called the property manager who got the tow truck in there and the car removed very quickly. Very expensive. Justified? .... well, like The Old Rancher often taught, there is always a disadvantage to messing up.

The most likely situation is that the tow company has a contract with the complex that allows them to tow automatically after work hours. You did catch the part where the driver took a picture? It's so incase someone complains, and since they are licensed and regulated by the city they can complain and can have action taken, the driver has proof the car was parked illegally. As to the quickness well since the guy was arrested I doubt it was just 2 min he was gone.

[EEllis]

Oops Double post

[EEllis]

More likely the tow truck operator was parked in the complex , with their blessing, watching and waiting for someone to park in violation of the rules. That is how he was there so quickly.....

and that is why I don't think it was a fully licensed, wrecker service. We stay so busy that we can't offer service like that!!

They wouldn't be parked in a complex waiting. I'm sure it was just a random check and he found an illegally parked car. Also first taking the photo, by a witnesses description, leads me to believe that the wrecker was most likely legit. He also called the cops rather than just bringing back the kids and dropping the car and hauling but which is the likely result of a off books wrecker. There are companies that specialize in private property tows. They post, put signs up, the property, paint lines on the lot, and generally try and make sure all their tows are beyond reproach because if they get to many complaints from residents of a complex they can loose the contract not to mention any tow can be challenged and taken to a tow hearing or the company can be sued in small claims court. Now mind you most tow signs are standard because even slightly changing the wording, posting at the wrong elevation, or not having enough signs , even if it is in a different location, can all cause it to be an illegal tow which is a min $1000 violation for the property.

[bizarrenormality]

http://thestir.cafemom.com/in_the_news/ ... 1#comments

Far too many of these wrecker drivers are opportunistic borderline criminals.

As the owner of a professional wrecker service, I have to take exception to this generalization.

You think there's not enough instead of too many?

[drjoker]

Yep so lets just shoot them

I dunno about y'all's experiences with tow truck drivers but mine have been horrible. I suspect that they're all mobbed up or are just simply low lifes, at least all the ones I've met.

1. In Austin circa 1990's; I parked in what seemed like a very tiny parking spot. What I didn't know is that it was just an extra wide space between parking spots. It was unmarked. There were no signs saying that this was a no parking zone. The curb was white. Well, my vehicle got towed. I thought that it was stolen so I called the cops but the cops told me that they were aware of a predatory towing company operating in the area, so I checked at the towing yard for my car. The tow yard guy says that they did have my car. I told them in a non-threatening normal tone of voice that my car was not illegally parked because it looked like a tiny parking spot. Instead of having a civilized conversation, the guy POINTS A SHOTGUN AT MY HEAD and says that he "thinks" he spots a weapon on me and is about to shoot me. I had no weapon on me as I was under 21 and had no CHL. I told him to chill. I'll pay. I was young and stupid. If he did that to me today, I'd have video rolling so I could shoot him legally in self defense.

2. Dallas circa 2000; I parked in a parking spot marked "30 minute zone." I step inside and looked at my watch. I step out to get my car but the car was gone. I was inside for less than 30 minutes... 29 min, 30 seconds to be exact. I call the tow company and explained the situation. The woman cusses me out and says that I am lying because my car was parked for over an hour. This is an outright lie. Since I knew the property owner, I called the property owner and the property owner informed them that if they don't give me back my car and apologize, the won't be allowed to tow from the property again. Reluctantly, they towed my car back. It was a brand new Volvo and their towing it probably screwed up the suspension and/or brakes.

3. Many of my friends have had their cars towed WHILE THE CAR'S OCCUPANTS WERE STILL IN THE CAR. Isn't this considered kidnapping?

4. Those idiots on reality TV towing and repossessing cars are idiots. If the driver of the car doesn't know that it is being repossessed, it could turn deadly. For example, if the car payments were being made by a significant other or by your boss, you might not know that it is being repossessed and being Texas, theft in night time could get you shot. Wouldn't it be much better and safer for the tow drivers if the car's drivers were served a warrant by a constable and then the tow driver tows? This is the way they evict people who don't pay rent. It costs $75 for the constable to show up. This could be deducted from the cost of the vehicle that they're going to get for it at auction. Sneaking in at night and towing away a car in a sneaky manner is stupid and could get you shot.

At best, tow truck drivers are idiots. At worst, they're low lifes and varmints.
...

[texanjoker]

I noted the photo and the fact a witness took the photo. If that is accurate then it was day time when this incident occurred. What was the outside temp? I wonder how old the kids were as that would make a difference as well. He now faces a criminal charge and CPS will be called. It sounds like he left young kids in the car long enough for a wrecker to hook it up and tow it and that is why he was charged with abandonment.

Wreckers are pretty quick at hooking up cars and one needs to read those apartment signs as they troll the lots. If this wrecker really was told there were kids in the car he is an idiot. I would sue the heck out of him as there has got to be some sort of regulation on that. However that is not a shoot situation. That is a call 911 situation and one should remain calm to talk to the driver. If he had gone back out to confront the driver this might have been a different story, but it sounds like he never even saw it coming. Side note a lot of tow truck drivers also carry guns so had he just "drawn" it could have turned ugly.

[SewTexas]

if the driver knew kids were in the car he should have called the cops, plain and simple. and it is possible the car was left running with the AC on, right?
And the neighbors that the dad asked to watch the car and kids...why didn't one of the run to get him? and/or why didn't one of them call 911? too many folks "don't want to get involved" these days until it's their cars and kids.

[tomtexan]

At best, tow truck drivers are idiots. At worst, they're low lifes and varmints.
...

I would not encourage anyone to go to the above posted website and read any of that garbage that man has posted. Pat Johnson is a fraud and a liar. However, if you do feel compelled to look at it, check this link and tell me what your opinion of the man is after reading it.
Police: Man traded marijuana for sex with child

[EEllis]

I dunno about y'all's experiences with tow truck drivers but mine have been horrible. I suspect that they're all mobbed up or are just simply low lifes, at least all the ones I've met.

Are you serious? Mobbed up?

I was young and stupid. If he did that to me today, I'd have video rolling so I could shoot him legally in self defense.

Or you could, you know, just take that to the cops and get him sent to jail like he deserves

the property owner informed them that if they don't give me back my car and apologize, the won't be allowed to tow from the property again.

I thought they were mobbed up? Why would they back off if they were mobbed up?

It was a brand new Volvo and their towing it probably screwed up the suspension and/or brakes.

Wait you can't even say that they did cause damage but you still want to ding every wrecker company for it anyway?

. Many of my friends have had their cars towed WHILE THE CAR'S OCCUPANTS WERE STILL IN THE CAR. Isn't this considered kidnapping?

If they do it knowingly they go to jail that's why this is just not believable.

Those idiots on reality TV towing and repossessing cars are idiots.

The key word should be TV not reality. Doesn't really make for "proof" of anything.

At best, tow truck drivers are idiots. At worst, they're low lifes and varmints.

Way to overgeneralize and slander there