Birmingham drivers continue to wait on a predatory towing resolution

Birmingham drivers continue to wait on a predatory towing resolution

Birmingham drivers will have to keep holding their breath, and their car keys, as city officials continue to work on a resolution for what many have called predatory towing practices in the downtown area.

Following a series of public complaints against towing company Parking Enforcement Systems (PES) starting late last year, representatives for Birmingham’s City Council and the Birmingham Department of Transportation (BDOT) said last month they were looking through the city’s towing ordinance and were hoping to announce a solution by April or May.

In mid-March, BDOT took steps to alert drivers and the 50,000 or so people coming into the city for the NCAA Tournament by erecting 10 signs around downtown that read “Beware of towing. Pay parking lot” with an attached link to a towing landing page on the city’s website.

As the first week of May comes to a close, the city has not announced any updates to the towing ordinance or any plans for previously mentioned townhalls where drivers can come to air their frustrations. Yet drivers continue to report issues with PES.

“Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get in touch with an actual managerial human at Parking Enforcement Systems?,” wrote I Believe in Birmingham Facebook group member Jessica Lauren on Apr. 28.