Riverside Towing holds what we see as an unhealthy monopoly on off-campus towing in the University area. The Louisiana Public Service Commission needs to consider reviewing the company’s policies. More importantly, however, students should avoid parking on private property in the first place, take responsibility for their actions and act maturely.
Students who encounter Riverside’s trade are often at parties or other social gatherings and are frequently inebriated. The best advice for students is to know the area closest to their destination to legally park and stick to that area. Fighting a towing situation will only make it worse, so if students avoid lawless parking altogether, they can ease the worry of being in an uncomfortable situation.
The main behavior that needs to be regulated is that of students. According to Riverside owner Tim Seal, hostile situations at late-night towings are caused by violent, often drunk students. Riverside is operating under a contract with the businesses whose parking lots it protects, not picking on students.
But people whose cars are towed must pay Riverside with cash. This practice of towing payment is both problematic and unreasonable. The minimum fee after a Riverside employee has touched a vehicle is $80. Most college students probably do not carry that much cash.
The LPSC sets most of the mandatory fees for towing services. It does not, however, regulate the guidelines for the company’s hiring. Harsh background checks and behavior guidelines must be put into place in a business that deals with situations as hostile as late-night towing, since employees often must do business with drunk or otherwise unruly customers.
Students who have legitimate reasons for being unhappy with Riverside’s practices should contact the LPSC with their concerns. It is only through the voices of their constituents that commissioners will have reason to take any action needed in amending the code regulating towing services.
It is in everyone’s best interest to simply act responsibly and in accordance with the law.
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