KC Council Passes Towing Crackdown Amid Industry Concerns

Kansas City’s newly passed ordinance cracking down on predatory towing is being hailed by city leaders as a long-overdue measure to protect residents, but some tow truck operators say the policy may hurt legitimate businesses.

The City Council unanimously approved the ordinance Thursday, led by Councilman Darrell Curls and supported by Mayor Quinton Lucas. The new regulations establish a Towed Vehicle Owner Bill of Rights, create an online platform for reporting illegal tows, and impose escalating penalties for repeat violations—up to $1,000 in fines and 180 days in jail.

“This is about addressing those individuals that take advantage of the disadvantaged,” said Curls. “We’re not trying to go after good tow truck drivers.”

But tow operators say the ordinance doesn’t fully account for industry realities.

“I’m all for regulation, I think all of us are here for that,” said Josh Baker of Jackson County Tow Service. “The problem is nobody here tows.”

Junior Johnson of Empire Tow Service voiced frustration with city profits from public tows. “You guys are profiting $143 off of every single tow that we bring down, and you own no tow trucks,” he said.

City officials acknowledged the concerns. “The director of public works is looking into that,” Curls responded. “There will be some changes if they haven’t already been made.”

The ordinance follows public outcry and criminal charges against Donald Adamson and his mother Lannette Adamson of Metro Tow and Transport, accused of a long-running scheme involving illegal tows and document falsification.

The Kansas City Police Department has joined enforcement efforts, recently seizing tow trucks allegedly involved in illegal practices. “You can hide the trucks, but our Property Crimes detectives are detectives for a reason,” KCPD said in a social media post.

Next, the City hopes Jackson County will adopt licensing requirements for tow operators, as neighboring counties already have in place.

“This is just the beginning,” said Curls. Source: https://www.kmbc.com and https://www.kshb.com