Peel cops ramping up efforts to end towing industry violence

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Peel Regional Police are getting tough on towing.

A news release issued on Wednesday highlighted efforts to combat “prolific and dangerous drivers within the towing industry.”

Peel cops made two arrests in 2024, laid 234 charges, identified 79 non-compliant tow trucks and removed nine tow trucks from service.

“While the majority of towing companies and operators work within the legal framework set out by the Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act (TSSEA), ongoing enforcement operations have successfully removed unauthorized tow companies, vehicles, and operators from the roads, while ensuring that charges under the TSSEA were laid,” Peel police said.

To be recognized as an approved towing and storage service operator in Ontario, Peel police said tow operators and companies must meet specific criteria including passing criminal background checks and obtaining certification from the Ministry of Transportation. These measures ensure that only legitimate, law-abiding operators are authorized to serve the public.

Tow-truck operators are not exempt from traffic laws and should be reported to the police for any form of dangerous driving, police said.

Peel police’s efforts followed Toronto Police’s Project Dodger, aimed at tackling violence in the towing industry as 70% of Toronto’s shootings so far this year have been tied to an ongoing turf war in the industry.

According to Toronto Police, 13% of 2024’s shootings were directly linked to the towing turf wars.

Project Dodger came after last summer’s Project Beacon, which saw 184 charges laid in relation to a murder and 13 related shootings. Six people were also charged in connection with Project Beacon.

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