San Francisco's policy of towing legally parked vehicles if they have too many parking tickets has been ruled unconstitutional in California car auto cars
argument that an exception should be made in this case because the cars presented a threat to public health.Car Thefts In Detroit Fall 30 Percent After Local Towing Company Was Banned
The practice was challenged by the Coalition on Homelessness, which filed an appeal against the city over this type of seizure. Colloquially referred to as “poverty towing”, the practice is said to target low income individuals who cannot afford to pay parking tickets. Moreover, the tows frequently wind up costing the city more than they bring in, according to the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area, which helped the coalition pursue this case.
“In San Francisco, thousands of households are on the brink of homelessness, where a single adverse event can thrust them out of housing,” said Jennifer Friedenbach, executive director of the Coalition on Homelessness. “Poverty tows are one of those events, where the loss of a car leads to the loss of the transportation needed to get to work, and suddenly the household can’t make rent.”
While a spokesperson for the San Francisco City Attorney’s Office said they are disappointed by the decision, and are considering appropriate next steps, the state may step in. Legislation seeking to ban the practice of “poverty towing” has cleared the California Assembly.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
California man charged after attacking 88-year-old Asian-American woman in San Francisco, authorities sayJames Lee Ramsey, 27, allegedly kicked an elderly Asian-American woman to the ground in San Francisco after spitting on another victim.
Read more »
Court finds towing of cars with unpaid tickets unconstitutionalTowing cars that have accrued unpaid parking tickets without a warrant -- a common practice in San Francisco -- violates the California Constitution, the California Court of Appeal decided Friday.
Read more »
Video: Car plummets over Sanchez Street steps in San FranciscoPolice in San Francisco are investigating a solo vehicle crash Saturday evening that was captured on video where a car plunged over the public steps at 19th and Sanchez Streets.
Read more »
E-scooter explodes in San Francisco apartmentAn electric scooter exploded inside an apartment in San Francisco, leaving one resident with serious burns, fire officials said.
Read more »
Update: Witnesses say bottles of alcohol, a gun found after spectacular San Francisco crashWitnesses who tried to help the people who were inside the car that plummeted over the Sanchez Street steps early Saturday evening said bottles of alcohol and a gun were found in the wreckage of the reportedly stolen vehicle.
Read more »
Terrifying San Francisco car crash caught on video; what happened to the occupants?Authorities said there were no reports of injuries on the street, and that the car’s occupants all fled the scene before rescuers arrived, making it impossible to determine if they were hurt …
Read more »