Three Gainesville towing companies that appealed a roam-towing suspension after violating a city ordinance will not be suspended after all.
Gainesville Police Chief Norman Botsford wrote a letter to Elite Auto Center, Ultimate Towing, and Watson's Towing and Recovery Friday that stated the companies would be allowed to continue roam towing.
They were facing suspension after violating part of a Gainesville ordinance that requires tow companies to take cars directly from the place where they are towed to the tow owner's permanent address.
In appeals to GPD, the tow companies argued that suspensions were unwarranted because court-ordered refunds and fines were punishment enough, Botsford's letter stated. In addition, the companies said all vehicles towed were parked illegally and no specific rights of citizens were violated, according to his letter.
Although the companies had racked up 93 violations, the violations all took place within three weeks and were cited by police on two days, Sept. 7 and Sept. 28, according to the letter.
Based on the circumstances, Botsford's letter stated that he perceived this situation to be an "anomaly not likely of repetitions," and should therefore be treated as a single violation.
Since the suspension was based on having three or more violations within a year, it was rescinded.
