A crackdown on towing companies in London has led to one business having its licence revoked and another being denied altogether.
The City of London pulled RMS Towing’s business licence and refused a licence to DNA Towing and Recovery after appeal hearings held on February 2. The hearings were requested after bylaw officers conducted a proactive tow truck business licence enforcement blitz in November. That sweep saw 92 by-law penalties and several business license suspensions.
All tow truck businesses in London providing service to crash scenes are required to be licensed and fees and services cannot exceed the set maximum rates, according to regulations laid out in a 2021 bylaw. The city said the crackdown in the fall was meant to ensure consumer protection and safety of all first responders at crash scenes.
“These regulations were enacted in response to price gouging and issues at accident scenes which have been raised by citizens and first responders,” said Orest Katolyk, the city’s director of municipal compliance. “We will continue to ensure compliance with local and provincial regulations for the towing industry through partnered enforcement initiatives.”
The November crackdown came the same month a towing business had vehicles damaged in a suspicious fire and gunshots were fired from a tow truck at the driver of a rival company.
The fire happened at a tow yard on Clarke Road south of Gore Road on November 11. No one was hurt, but several pieces of towing equipment were damaged in the suspicious blaze. A day later, a tow truck operator was heading south on Adelaide Street when he spotted a tow truck from a different company following him. After passing Osgoode Drive, a person inside the rival tow truck shot six rounds from a handgun at the other tow truck. Five hit the tailgate, while one went through the rear window. No one was hurt.
Police tracked the suspect truck to Oakville where two men were arrested. Two London men, aged 21 and 25, were later charged with occupying a motor vehicle with a firearm, reckless discharge of a firearm with intent to injure, and possession of a restricted or prohibited firearm without a licence.
Towing industry insiders told the media at the time that the gunfire came from an RMS truck. Police did not provide confirmation.
Drivers who have been involved in a collision in the city are advised to check for the blue City of London sticker on tow trucks to ensure the operator is licensed.
