PITTSBURGH — A Target 11 investigation has uncovered possible changes to Pittsburgh’s towing practices.
“I was parked right here, right here in this spot,” Jude Bloom said to investigator Rick Earle as she showed him her parking spot.
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Even though there are plenty of signs, Bloom didn’t think it would be a problem to run a quick errand before running into the Home Depot in East Liberty.
When she returned, her car was gone.
“I ran into the Home Depot to call the police because I thought my car obviously was stolen,” said Bloom.
She was told it had been towed.
Home Depot told Target 11, "Parking is a real challenge at our East Liberty store, so we enforce a policy that limits parking to our customers. The policy is clearly marked on signs throughout the lot.”
Bloom, who is a regular customer and has the receipts to prove it, had to pay $185 to get her car.
“I felt violated, that's how I felt. I was just felt betrayed,” she said
“I get regular calls and they are heart breaking stories,” said Pittsburgh city councilman Dan Gilman.
He is sympathetic to businesses and the need to protect spaces, but said there is also a need for clear guidelines.
He is proposing legislation requiring clearly marked signs, access to towed cars on nights and weekends, and police involvement before any towing.
“I think we need to involve the Pittsburgh police and make sure in these situations that a police officer is saying, ‘Yes. This is car parked illegally. You should have it towed,’” he said. “That provides a good check and balance.”
The owner of Howard’s Towing told Target 11 that companies rely on him to keep spaces open and waiting for police will delay that process.
However, Gilman said it will give drivers extra time to get back to their cars.
When asked if he thinks his proposal to involve police is a viable option he said, ”They are certainly busy, but I think it's an important component of public safety.”
Gilman plans to introduce his legislation later this summer or fall.