Another tow truck crackdown is coming.

Broward County commissioners has pushed forward a new slate of reforms, setting a June 14 public hearing. The county got tough with tow truck drivers several years ago, and even tougher last year. The newest law would ratchet up the rules even further.

Under what’s proposed:

* Tow drivers would have to photograph the vehicle and any visible damage, as well as the alleged parking violation, prior to towing.

* Customers could be assured they would not face a “cash only” policy. A previous Broward law required tow truck companies to let customers pay with credit cards. The new version proposes that if the credit card machine isn’t working, the customer can get the vehicle back without paying, and could pay later when the machine is available. On the other hand, the law allows tow operators to charge customers a 2.5 percent surcharge for using a credit card.

* The county could more easily kick a tow company out of Broward. Any company that breaks the county rules three times in a year, or whose license was suspended or revoked in the past two years elsewhere — and upheld, if the tow operator contested — could have its Broward license yanked. The same goes for a tow operator with a criminal history in auto-related crimes.

* Tows would have to be authorized by the property owner or designee, as is the case now, but tow companies wouldn’t be allowed to offer “lot-monitoring services” to fulfill that requirement.

* The county could force a tow company to reimburse a driver for excessive charges. And tow companies would have to provide, on a separate sheet of paper, a note telling customers they can complain to the county, and providing the phone number.

The focus on towing began in 2011, after a notorious mass-towing incident at Sawgrass Mills Mall in Sunrise. The reverberations continue.

On Black Friday shopping day that year, All County Towing removed more than 300 cars from lots around the mall. The ensuing uproar led Sunrise and then Broward County to pass strict towing laws.

Sunrise was watching when Black Friday came around last fall. The city suspended All County’s permit on Nov. 28, after the police chief said it used predatory tactics in towing 94 cars from seven businesses around Sawgrass Mills Mall on the Thanksgiving/Black Friday shopping weekend. The city followed up in January, revoking All County’s permit for two years. All County filed a lawsuit, which is pending.

Depending on the outcome of the court case, All County could see its Broward license revoked, as well, under what is proposed.

Chris Casale, owner of All County Towing, said he hadn’t analyzed the proposed county ordinance.

“I’ve looked at it briefly,” he said, requesting that any questions be submitted to him in writing. Casale did not respond to questions submitted in writing.

At a county meeting Tuesday, attorney Gary Poliakoff for the Sunshine State Towing Association said he hoped to see some “tweaks.” For one thing, he said companies could be asked to use a secondary method of credit card authorization — by telephone, for example — if a machine is down, rather than being forced to release the car without payment.

Broward Commissioner Lois Wexler said the proposed law, pushed by Commissioner Mark Bogen, “takes it up to the next level” in “protecting the consumers.”

Commissioner Beam Furr said he opposed allowing tow companies to levy a 2.5 percent credit card surcharge.

Commissioners will debate the details in June.

Towing rates are set by the county. Commissioners increased the rates last year. For a tow from private property, the allowed charge is $120. After six hours in storage, a $24 daily storage charge is added. If the owner takes 24 hours or more to arrive at the tow yard, a $30 administrative fee can be added.

If you think you were overcharged or want to find out more, go to or call the county at 954-765-4400.

or 954-356-4541. On Twitter @BrittanyWallman and @BrowardPolitics.