The Lakewood Police Department will be cracking down on a serious issue involving car towing at accident scenes, officials told TLS exclusively today.
Lakewood Police and Lakewood Township Officials tell TLS the crack down comes following numerous requests from medical and emergency personnel who have responded to accident scenes around the township in recent months.
According to numerous Hatzolah, EMS, and other emergency responders, accident victims are being inundated and even harassed by towing companies with solicitation requests at accident scenes.
“It’s gotten to a point where some companies are literally soliciting patients while they are in the ambulance being checked out by medical personnel,” first responders and police officials told TLS. “In addition, people are speeding to scenes in order to solicit business, putting motorists and pedestrians in danger,” officials said.”
Township sources told TLS that upon request from the Lakewood Police Department – as well as from several tow companies who requested a leveled playing field – legislation is currently being drafted in the Township which will dictate how and when vehicles can be towed from scenes, among other details still being ironed out.
“We are forming and crafting the legislation based on the request and experiences from the Lakewood Police Department,” a Township official said. “This is being done for safety of the town, and to respect the victims of accidents and their families.
The legislation is expected to be introduced in the coming weeks.
Can’t come soon enough I was personally harassed after I was involved in a car accident
Happened to my wife, (moderated) who “worked” for the body shop was conveniently nearby when he heard it on the scanner and came to help out so we would have a “Frum” company! Took us 6 weeks to get our car back when it should have been 2 weeks max.
I don’t know why this was moderated, I’ll rephrase, someone who is a volunteer of something.
What do they gain by keeping your car for 6 weeks instead of 2?
Storage fees 😎
Its about time!
As a driver who was recently involved in an accident, I was appalled by this behavior.
Being involved in an accident is overwhelming enough (bh I was not injured) I was harassed by 4/5 different people to let them tow the car to their shop, (this is all while the police are doing their job writing the reports and trying to clear the road!) and even after I made my decision some guys attempted to pull me aside and bad mouth the shop I chose.
Hopefully the LPD and Lakewood Township can bring this shenanigans to an end.
Well there’s no more accidents because of the ticket cackdown.
FYI there is no need to get stressed over who tows it from the accident site. Just do your research about shops later and tow it again to wherever you want to.
You mean no more responding Hatzolah members will be run off the road by some 18 year old punk with lights & sirens looking to make a few bucks??
Well said, I wish I could submit the video and pictures I have from legitimately responding to scenes and then these guys show up in a rolling light show!!!
I was once involved in car accident.. they convinced me i had to tow my car… i went a day later to the lot and drove my car home.. what a waste of my money
i have to say that when my daughter was in an accident it was very helpful and comforting that someone was there in minutes and took care of all the details. she was being transported so she was not able to deal with any of this on her own. I for one am thankful that they heard on the scanner and were there right away.
Lakewood: Where we’ve perfected
the art creating problems only to solve them by creating more problems.
@mm i live in Monsey and experienced the same. On my first accident here, a wonderfully nice fellow came (he got there first!)and saved the day. I have his number and have since called him a few times for advice and help and feel so grateful to have an honest, helpful person with intimate knowledge of the field. And to the commentator who wrote that it took more weeks than it should’ve..haha! It always takes longer. Noone has the monopoly on that. It’s the same everywhere. Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise. It’s a combination of insurance claim time, other party, parts coming in etc. Hatzlocha amd may we all stay safe!
I just hope they don’t make us tow a car by (moderated) cuz he’ll try to hold for as long as he can that way he gets more money for storage
Its about time the township elected officials are doing what we sent them to office for.. the tow truck buffs have been running around town using emergency lights and sirens often showing up before police and Hatzolah harassing people during their worst day.. its nice to see Lakewood police actually enforcing traffic violations.
I am very grateful to (moderated) for coming quickly to my accident נישט מער געדאכט and calmed my nerves, helped me deal with the cops etc…
its a pleasure to have help right away. my car was towed and i was in rental within 30 min of crash . hopefully this new thing will not mean stuck 2 site for hours.
To anybody who thinks this legislation is a bad idea: a few months back a distracted driver (cellphone) blew a stop sign and T-boned me causing moderate injuries. No less than two separate tzadikim opened up the Hatzalah truck doors while I was being examined to offer their much needed services. These were not 18 y/o kids. These were grown adults with the social and mental capacity of a five year old. Never in my life have I experienced something so inappropriate and wrong. The lack of respect some of these companies have for victims whose lives have been upended is simply unbelievable. Hopefully such legislation will be adopted by Jackson, Toms River, Manchester and anywhere else that scanners work. I feel bad for the loss of Parnassa that some of these ambulance chasers/ trespassers will incur and hope that they find a more dignified and respectful source of income that doesn’t include violating other people’s privacy in their time of need.
Couldn’t agree more with the comment above by crash victim. We are taught in our community and schools/ yeshivos to be thoughtful, considerate, and mindful of others. Anyone who can be so ruthless in making their $100 commission does not belong anywhere near Lakewood. We are a people of kindness. We are a people of mercy. We are good people. We will not let these ambulance chasers tarnish our name.