Towed Over: Corpus Christi raises fees tow trucks can charge

* By Rick Spruill
* Corpus Christi Caller Times
* Posted February 10, 2011 at 4:13 p.m., updated February 10, 2011

CORPUS CHRISTI — The city is raising the fees auto wreckers can charge while lowering the amount of time they are given to respond to calls from police officers.

The City Council approved a new ordinance Tuesday governing non-consent towing, including autos in accidents or those being impounded.

City police officers rotate through a list of about 16 wrecking companies for all non-consent towing services.

Image by retiredtowman via Flickr

The ordinance, a cooperative effort of the Corpus Christi Police Department and several local towing companies, would allow wreckers to begin charging $110 for hauling off cars and small trucks, a $20 increase.

In exchange, city-approved wreckers would be required to show up within 30 minutes of being contacted by an officer, regardless of conditions, and employees would be subject to tighter drug and background checks.

The 30-minute window could to be tough to meet, said Joe Dees, owner of Statewide Wrecker Service.

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