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Philly officials refuse to fix "courtesy-tow" problem as class-action lawsuits proceed [View all]
Philadelphia Inquirer link: https://archive.ph/PjhpJ (this is a no paywall link)
How many cars must go missing before Philadelphia officials decide to fix the city’s longtime “courtesy tow” problem? Apparently, the threshold has not been met.
Ten new victims — including two drivers who never found their cars — have joined a pair of potential class-action lawsuits targeting the city’s dysfunctional system for relocating vehicles due to roadwork, construction, and special events.
But city lawyers have responded in court filings by arguing that the problem is … someone else’s fault. “[T]hey do not claim an injury that is fairly traceable to the City,” Anne Taylor, chief deputy city solicitor, wrote of the plaintiffs. Last week, a federal judge rejected the city’s motions to have the lawsuits tossed and ordered the parties to engage in mediation.
“This is a huge problem and we really want to see some actual change come of this,” said Aarthi Manohar, a lawyer representing 17 plaintiffs in the two cases. They are seeking class-action status on behalf of potentially thousands of victims.
Ten new victims — including two drivers who never found their cars — have joined a pair of potential class-action lawsuits targeting the city’s dysfunctional system for relocating vehicles due to roadwork, construction, and special events.
But city lawyers have responded in court filings by arguing that the problem is … someone else’s fault. “[T]hey do not claim an injury that is fairly traceable to the City,” Anne Taylor, chief deputy city solicitor, wrote of the plaintiffs. Last week, a federal judge rejected the city’s motions to have the lawsuits tossed and ordered the parties to engage in mediation.
“This is a huge problem and we really want to see some actual change come of this,” said Aarthi Manohar, a lawyer representing 17 plaintiffs in the two cases. They are seeking class-action status on behalf of potentially thousands of victims.
- more at link -
Just to be clear - the city operates this "courtesy tow" but it's not for impounding scofflaws or even for cars parked in the wrong spot. Legally and correctly parked cars have been moved without notifying the owners, and subsequently lost. The vehicle owners have been subjected to large fines and other costs, due to the negligence of the city.
It doesn't need to happen this way, and the City of Philadelphia needs to stop it immediately.
That's the reason for the class action lawsuit.
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