We currently live in an environment where the media refuses to let some issues go away, ie: anything regarding the Kardashian family. Conversely, an issue was brought to light in the Gazette in the last few weeks that needs to be explored thoroughly.
It was tragic that Charles White died in his automobile in Dewey Beach Oct. 18. The tragedy of that day was compounded by the actions of Charlie Moore and Coastal Towing. His response after the fact was raw and insensitive. He claimed to be doing the family a favor by allowing them to retrieve their car later in the day.
The notion that his business was closed is ridiculous. Look at his ad in the phone book which states 24-hour towing. I went through a similar situation a few years ago on a Sunday afternoon. I tried to pay for and retrieve my son’s car, but was told that they were closed. All the while, Coastal continued to haul cars from the resort towns to their yard on Rehoboth Avenue. I was enraged that not only did the towing contractor get to determine whether the car was illegally parked (with no verification from the Dewey Police) but that he could also force an additional $50 fee for overnight storage. It took a call to the Delaware State Police barracks to secure the release of the car.
Now we come to find out, much to the surprise of the Dewey Beach elected officials, that there is a $50 kickback to the town for each tow from the town.
Steve Montgomery just announced that he will not be holding the Winter Gala as in past years. He cited two reasons: site logistics and the fact that the money raised was no longer accepted by the Town of Dewey Beach. How ironic that they will not accept the donation from Mr. Montgomery, but will gladly take the kickback from a towing contractor who until recently never even had a business license to operate in the Town of Dewey.
It is no less than extortion that the towing contractor can tow a vehicle, then claim to be closed to ensure that an additional fee be tacked onto the already outrageous towing bill. Further, with no participation by the Dewey Police in some of the tows, who really determines that the car was illegally parked? Sounds like a pretty good gig for Coastal.
Many of the victims, whether they may be illegally parked or otherwise, are from out of state. His practice of closing his doors and forcing a Monday morning payup is extortion. These visitors to our coastal towns now must spend an additional night, and in spend an additional night, and in most cases, miss work the next day. Surely a mechanism needs to be put in place to safeguard the public from the predatory practices of a towing firm that has been hired by the very same towns that profit from the practice.
Mr. Moore stated that his actions were “just business.” I feel that all residents of these coastal towns should send a clear message to “Charlie and the Boys.” We don’t like the way you do business and don’t intend to patronize your business.
Mike Donovan
Lewes
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