Philadelphia Councilman Thinks Towing Refunds Should Be Easier
By Mike Dunn
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A Philadelphia city councilman is proposing to eliminate a layer of bureaucratic red tape when your car is towed in error and you want to get the towing fees back.
Under the "Live Stop" program, police will impound vehicles when drivers they have pulled over lack proper registration.
But Councilman Jim Kenney says if the car is seized in error, the owner has to go to Traffic Court to get the fine rescinded, then go to another agency -- the Bureau of Administrative Adjudication -- to get the towing fee back.
So, Kenney (right) has introduced a measure to simplify that.
"This is just eliminating another level of bureaucratic hearing that people have to go through," Kenney tells KYW Newsradio. "When we've wronged them, they shouldn't have to go to Traffic Court and the BAA."
Kenney says many of the Live Stop errors involve college students with out-of-state registrations. His measure would allow someone whose Live Stop fine is rescinded to simply be reimbursed by the Philadelphia Parking Authority -- without having to go to the BAA.
The measure will be debated in committee.
