[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Bridgeton 2-17-1998 by Ord. No. 97-18; amended in its entirety 1-15-2008 by Ord. No. 07-22.[1] Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
General penalty — See Ch. 1, Art. III.
Licensing — See Ch. 200.
Towing license fee; towing and storage charges — See Ch. 149, Art. II.
Abandoned vehicles — See Ch. 347.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance provided an effective date of 1-1-2008.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ABANDONED MOTOR VEHICLE
A vehicle which is without a current, valid registration tag and has been left unattended on a public street or in a public parking area for more than 30 days, or left upon private property for more than 30 days and its removal is requested by the owner of such private property. (A vehicle is deemed abandoned in accordance with N.J.S.A. 39:4-56.5 if left on private property for more than 48 hours without current license and without consent of the owner of such property.)
AUTOMOBILE
A private-passenger automobile of a private-passenger or station-wagon type that is owned or hired and is neither used as a public or livery conveyance for passengers nor rented to others with a driver, and a motor vehicle with a pickup body, a delivery sedan, a van, a panel truck or a camper-type vehicle used for recreational purposes owned by an individual or by a husband and wife who are residents of the same household, not customarily used in the occupation, profession or business of the insured other than farming or ranching. An automobile owned by a farm family copartnership or corporation, which is principally garaged on a farm or ranch and otherwise meets the definitions contained in this section, shall be considered a private-passenger automobile owned by two or more residents in the same household.
BASIC TOWING SERVICE
The removal and transportation of an automobile from a highway, street or other public or private road, or from a parking area or storage facility, and other services normally incident thereto, but does not include recovery of an automobile from a position beyond the right-of-way or berm, or from being impaled upon any other object within the right-of-way or berm.
DEPARTMENT
The New Jersey Department of Insurance.
DIRECTOR
The Director of Public Safety of the City of Bridgeton.
GARAGE
A building where motor cars or other vehicles are sheltered, stored, repaired and made ready for use, not including gasoline service stations used principally for the furnishing of gasoline, oil, lubrication services and other services primarily relating to the repair of motor vehicles.
INSIDE BUILDING
A vehicle storage facility that is completely indoors, having one or more openings in the walls for storage and removal of vehicles, and that is secured by a locking device on each opening.
MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT
An occurrence in which a private-passenger automobile comes in contact with any other object for which the private-passenger automobile must be towed or removed for placement in a storage facility. This includes all situations which are accidental as to the owner of the vehicle even if they were caused by intentional acts of a perpetrator and the perpetrator was not the owner or otherwise involved with the owner of the vehicle.
OUTSIDE SECURED
An automobile storage facility that is not indoors and is secured by a fence, wall or other man-made barrier that is at least six feet high. The facility is to be lighted at night.
OUTSIDE UNSECURED
An automobile storage facility that is not indoors and is not secured by a fence, wall or other man-made barrier, and all other storage facilities not defined above as "inside building" or "outside secured."
PERSON
Individuals, as well as corporations, companies, associations, societies, partnerships and other entities.
STORAGE CHARGES FOR A TWENTY-FOUR-HOUR PERIOD
The maximum allowable amount to be charged by a storage facility for a twenty-four-hour period or fraction thereof. A new twenty-four-hour period begins at 12:01 a.m.
TOWING OPERATOR
A person, firm, corporation or other business entity engaged in the business of removing, transporting and storing disabled, damaged or otherwise immobile motor vehicles by means of a tow vehicle A towing operator shall be required to be either the first party lessee or owner of towing vehicles which are used to remove or transport damaged or otherwise immobile motor vehicles.
TOW VEHICLE
Only those vehicles equipped with a boom or booms, winches, slings, tilt beds, wheel lifts or under-reach equipment specifically designed by its manufacturer for the removal or transport of private-passenger automobiles.
The governing body of the City of Bridgeton, at the beginning of each year, will establish a list of towing operators to be called by the Police Division when required. The towing operators, as so listed and licensed pursuant to this chapter, shall be called on a weekly rotating basis by the Police Division of the City of Bridgeton. Changes in the order of towing rotation shall be made by the Director of Public Safety with the approval of the governing body.
A. 
No towing operator shall be licensed or included on the towing list established under this chapter unless the following insurance coverage is in effect and a copy of the coverage in effect on behalf of such towing operator has been deposited with the Chief of Police of the City of Bridgeton:
(1) 
Comprehensive automobile liability in the amount not less than $1,000,000 combined single limits;
(2) 
Workers' compensation, as required by state law;
(3) 
Garage keeper's liability in the amount of $1,000,000 per location;
(4) 
Garage liability in an amount not less than $500,000 combined single limits;
(5) 
Comprehensive general liability coverage in an amount not less than $500,000 for each person and $500,000 for each accident;
(6) 
Endorsements providing for collision coverage for vehicles in tow;
(7) 
Endorsements for indemnification; and
(8) 
Endorsement adding the City as additional insured on all insurance policies (except workers' compensation).
B. 
Each policy of insurance in effect on behalf of a towing operator shall contain a provision providing for at least 15 days' notice to the Clerk of the City of Bridgeton in the event of any cancellation or material change with respect to coverages provided and shall provide a provision for defense and indemnification of the City, its elected officials, boards, commissions, officers, employees and agents from all suits, actions, damages or claims to which the City may be subjected, of any kind and nature whatsoever, resulting from, caused by, arising out of or as a consequence of the actions by the towing operator by said insurance company.
C. 
All insurance policies shall be written by insurance companies acceptable to the City and authorized to do business in the State of New Jersey.
A. 
No towing operator shall be authorized to be included within the towing rotation list established pursuant to this chapter without first obtaining a license from the Municipal Clerk of the City of Bridgeton.
B. 
The fee schedules of licensed towing operators shall be made available at the Clerk's office during normal business hours.
C. 
The towing operator shall at no time transfer or assign a license, or any part thereof, for any purpose whatsoever.
D. 
All licenses under this section shall expire at the end of the calendar year in which issued. Applications for renewals shall be filed with the Clerk on forms provided by the Clerk, at least 30 days before the expiration of said licenses.
A. 
Application for licenses issued pursuant to this chapter shall be made upon blank forms prepared by and made available by the Clerk of the City of Bridgeton and shall include the following information:
(1) 
The name, home address, proposed or actual business address and telephone number of the applicant and whether he is the owner, the lessee or operating under some other arrangement. If the application is made for a corporation, it shall state the names and addresses of the officers and directors thereof, its registered agent and the names and residential addresses of every stockholder owning more than 10% of the issued stock.
(2) 
The location, description and hourly availability of the tow trucks or wreckers owned or operated by the applicant.
(3) 
A statement that the applicant has available space for properly accommodating, storing and protecting all disabled motor vehicles to be towed or otherwise removed from the place where they are disabled, and that the disabled vehicles will not be stored or allowed to remain on public property or City streets or on property which is not zoned for such storage.
(4) 
The description of the vehicles for which the license is desired, including the year, make, model, type, serial number of body, motor capacity, length of time the vehicle has been in use and any other information which the Clerk shall deem necessary or proper to effectuate the purposes of this chapter.
(5) 
Proof that each vehicle to be licensed is duly registered and inspected as a tow vehicle by the State of New Jersey Division of Motor Vehicles.
B. 
All applications shall attach thereto a copy of the operator's current fee schedule for towing and storage services, separately listing towing and storage for automobiles and other motor vehicles.
C. 
A certification that on-call towing and storage services will be available 24 hours per day, every day of the year and a certification that the fees and procedures required by this chapter shall be complied with at all times.
D. 
All applications shall have an affidavit attached thereto or a subscription thereto sworn to by the applicant that all information is true and correct.
The annual license fee for a towing application to be included within the towing rotation list shall be as provided in Chapter 149, Fees, Article II, Schedule of Fees.
A. 
Within 10 days after the receipt of an application as provided for in this chapter, the Municipal Clerk shall request an investigation to be made of the applicant and of his proposed business operation, and shall cause the Police Division to make an inspection of the business and the vehicles proposed for inclusion in the City of Bridgeton towing rotation list. Within 20 days from the date of the request by the Clerk for an investigation, a report shall be filed by the Police Division as to the qualifications of the applicant.
[Amended 9-19-2017 by Ord. No. 17-20]
B. 
Upon completion of the application and inspection, and upon the recommendation of the Director of Public Safety, the Clerk shall either refuse or shall grant the application and the towing vehicles listed thereon. The applicant shall be informed of the decision with respect to the application. If the application is denied, the reasons for such denial shall be set forth in the notice, along with the applicant's right to appeal the denial to City Council of the City of Bridgeton in accordance with this section.
C. 
Appeals. Any person aggrieved by the action of the Director of Public Safety or his designated agent in the denial of an application for a license or in the revocation thereof or in the suspension from the City's towing list may appeal to the City Council of the City of Bridgeton by filing with the Municipal Clerk, within 14 days after notice of the action complained of has been mailed to such person's last-known address, a written request for a hearing, setting forth fully the grounds for the appeal. The Municipal Clerk will set a time and place for a hearing on such appeal, and notice shall be served on or mailed to the applicant at least five days prior to the hearing.
A. 
The Director of Public Safety or, by his delegation, the Chief of Police shall establish reasonable rules and regulations for the inspection and operation of towing vehicles and for the design, construction and condition of fitness for the safe conduct of towing services performed in accordance with this chapter, including but not limited to participation in safety courses, training courses and/or association with any approved agency.
B. 
The Director of Public Safety or the Chief of Police or their designee shall have the right at all times to inspect all licensed tow trucks and shall maintain a record of any such inspections. If, at any time, the Director of Public Safety or Chief of Police or his or her designee shall deem the equipment inadequate or unsafe, he or she shall have the power to demand immediate correction of such inadequacies, and, if not corrected to his or her satisfaction, he or she shall have full power to suspend the licensee's entitlement to be included within the City of Bridgeton towing rotation after a hearing before the Director of Public Safety with respect to the violation alleged.
C. 
The Director of Public Safety or, by his delegation, the Chief of Police shall establish reasonable rules and regulations with respect to inventory and inspection of all towed vehicles and their contents.
The Clerk, upon the recommendation of the Director of Public Safety, shall approve an application only when the following requirements have been met, in addition to any other requirements imposed by this chapter.
A. 
The public convenience and safety will be served by issuing the license to the applicant for the vehicles described on such application.
B. 
The insurance policies as required by this chapter have been furnished to the Municipal Clerk and verified as being in conformance with this chapter.
[Amended 9-19-2017 by Ord. No. 17-20]
C. 
The applicant and proposed operators are fit persons to operate and conduct a towing service within the City of Bridgeton.
D. 
The requirements of this section and all other governing laws, statutes and ordinances have been met.
E. 
The vehicles listed on the application have been properly licensed and inspected by the State of New Jersey and the necessary stickers affixed thereto. No vehicle shall be licensed or utilized as a tow truck or towing vehicle under this chapter which does not comply with state inspection requirements.
F. 
The tow trucks or towing vehicles shall meet the standards of classifications for tow vehicles set forth in § 334-10 of this chapter.
G. 
The applicant can provide on-call towing services 24 hours per day, every day of the year.
H. 
The applicant's base of operation for calls and storage facility is located within two miles of City limits and the applicant can demonstrate a response time of no more than 10 minutes.
[Amended 4-5-2011 by Ord. No. 10-29; 9-20-2011 by Ord. No. 11-07]
I. 
The applicant has attended and completed any and all training courses presented by the City of Bridgeton or required by the City of Bridgeton as a condition of approval in the regulations governing tow operators.
J. 
The applicant has been certified by an organization approved by the Director of Public Safety pursuant to § 334-8A.
The following minimum standards with respect to each class of vehicles listed on the application shall be met:
A. 
Light-duty/service requirements: The tow operator must present for service a minimum of three trucks, consisting of two flatbeds and a light-duty wrecker, which meet the following requirements:
(1) 
Commercially manufactured wrecker and chassis with a minimum GVWR of 10,000 pounds.
(2) 
Dual rear wheels.
(3) 
Minimum wheel lift capacity of 3,000 pounds.
(4) 
Minimum winch capacity of 8,000 pounds.
(5) 
Minimum hydraulic boom capacity of 8,000 pounds.
(6) 
Vehicle manufacturer serial plate must be legible and visible for inspection on undercarriage and chassis boom or certified by manufacturer's rating paperwork.
(7) 
A cable 3/8 inch by 100 feet or OEM specifications.
(8) 
Two safety chains 3/8 inch by 10 feet with a minimum of Grade 8 alloy.
(9) 
Two tow chains 3/8 inch by 10 feet with a minimum of Grade 8 alloy with J- and T-hooks and grab hooks.
(10) 
Wheel lift safety straps or equivalent wheel retention device.
(11) 
One four-ton snatch block per winch.
(12) 
Trailer ball hitch attachment.
(13) 
Motorcycle towing equipment.
(14) 
Amber emergency lights with proper amber light permit from State of New Jersey.
(15) 
Two floodlights or worklights to the rear of the wrecker.
(16) 
Two-way radio or cellular phone.
(17) 
Assortment of tools.
(18) 
Jumper cables.
(19) 
Flashlight, fire extinguisher and first-aid kit.
(20) 
Gas can.
(21) 
Lug wrench and jack.
(22) 
Broom and shovel, road flares, triangles or road cones.
(23) 
Commercially manufactured flatbed and chassis with a minimum GVWR of 14,500 pounds.
(24) 
Vehicle manufacturer serial plate must be legible and visible for inspection on underreach and chassis or certified by manufacturer's rating paperwork.
(25) 
Seventeen-foot or longer hydraulically operated slide back or tilt bed.
(26) 
A cable 3/8 inch by 50 feet or OEM specifications.
(27) 
Four tie-down devices; if chains, they must be 3/8 inch by 10 feet with a minimum Grade 7 alloy or synthetic web straps of equivalent strength.
(28) 
One bridle chain, high test, with J-hooks, T-hooks and grab hooks.
(29) 
One four-ton snatch block.
(30) 
Assortment of wood blocks and boards.
B. 
Heavy-duty/service vendors may tow vehicles that are over 32,000 pounds GVWR or that have dual rear wheels. All towing vehicles classified as "heavy duty" shall meet the following requirements:
(1) 
One commercially manufactured hydraulic wrecker and chassis with underreach capabilities and a minimum GVWR of 32,000 pounds.
(2) 
Meet state and federal DOT requirements governing commercial motor vehicles.
(3) 
Air brakes.
(4) 
Air transfer system: a means of controlling the brakes of the towed vehicle.
(5) 
Axle lift with a minimum lift capacity of 25,000 pounds and a tow capacity of 80,000 pounds.
(6) 
Vehicle manufacturer serial plate must be legible and visible for inspection on undercarriage and chassis boom or certified by manufacturer's rating paperwork.
(7) 
Two safety chains 1/2 inch by 10 feet with a minimum of Grade 8 alloy.
(8) 
Two tow chains 5/8 inch by 10 feet with a minimum of Grade 8 alloy.
(9) 
Axle lift safety straps or equivalent retention device.
(10) 
Amber emergency lights with proper amber light permit from State of New Jersey.
(11) 
Two floodlights or worklights to the rear of the wrecker.
(12) 
Tow light bar or magnetic tow lights.
(13) 
Two-way radio or cellular phone.
(14) 
Assortment of wood blocks and boards.
(15) 
Assortment of tools.
(16) 
Flashlight.
(17) 
T-bolts/maxi release pins.
(18) 
Angle iron.
(19) 
First-aid kit.
(20) 
Fire extinguisher.
(21) 
Broom and shovel.
(22) 
Road flares, triangles or road cones.
(23) 
Two twelve-ton snatch blocks per winch.
(24) 
Trained/certified CVI-enlisted personnel will assist in any federal DOT requirements governing commercial motor vehicles.
C. 
Recovery duty. Includes service for all accidents, recovery and winching incidents for any vehicle over 10,000 pounds GVWR or any vehicle that has dual wheels.
D. 
Recovery requirements.
(1) 
Two commercially manufactured hydraulic wreckers and chassis with underreach capabilities and a minimum GVWR of 32,000 pounds.
(2) 
Oshkosh or Sterling-type crane can be substituted for one hydraulic boom wrecker.
(3) 
Meet state and federal DOT requirements governing commercial motor vehicles.
(4) 
Air brakes.
(5) 
Air transfer system: a means of controlling the brakes of the towed vehicle.
(6) 
At least one truck shall have an axle lift with a minimum lift capacity of 25,0000 pounds and a tow capacity of 80,0000 pounds.
(7) 
Each wrecker must have a minimum winch capacity of 50,000 pounds.
(8) 
Each wrecker must have a minimum boom capacity of 50,0000 pounds.
(9) 
A cable 5/8 inch by 200 feet or OEM specifications.
(10) 
Two safety chains 1/2 inch by eight feet alloy.
(11) 
Two tow chains 1/2 inch by 10 feet and four chain binders.
(12) 
Recovery straps six inches by 20 feet or longer.
(13) 
Axle lift safety straps or equivalent retention device.
(14) 
Two scotch blocks or recovery stiff legs mounted into body of truck.
(15) 
Two twelve-ton snatch blocks per winch.
(16) 
Amber emergency lights with proper amber light permit from State of New Jersey.
(17) 
Two floodlights or worklights to the rear of the wrecker.
(18) 
Two-way radio or cellular phone.
(19) 
Assortment of wood blocks and boards.
(20) 
Assortment of tools.
(21) 
Flashlight.
(22) 
Angle iron.
(23) 
Tow light bar or magnetic tow lights.
(24) 
T-bolts/maxi release pins.
(25) 
Hydraulic bottle jack.
(26) 
First-aid kit.
(27) 
Fire extinguisher.
(28) 
Broom and shovel.
(29) 
Road flares, triangles or road cones.
(30) 
Additional equipment, either owned or subcontracted.
(31) 
One air cushion recovery system, including starter cushions, with motor-driven air pump and a lifting capacity of 100,000 pounds.
(32) 
One semi-tractor with fifth wheel.
(33) 
One lowboy or landall-type equipment-hauling trailer with a minimum hauling capacity of 40,000 pounds.
(34) 
One relief trailer or truck capable of transferring loads off damaged trucks.
E. 
In order to be qualified for a license, a towing operator must meet each requirement of Subsections A, B, C and D above.
A. 
In the event that provisions of this chapter are not complied with, the Chief of Police and/or the Director of Public Safety, in addition to such other procedures established by this chapter, shall have the right to suspend a licensee's license for a period not to exceed 30 days if the Chief and/or Director has cause to believe the licensee is not following the provisions of this chapter, the statutes of the State of New Jersey or the rules and regulations enacted by the City of Bridgeton Police Department governing towing operations.
B. 
If, within the thirty-day period of suspension, the licensee requests a hearing, in writing, to the Clerk of the City of Bridgeton, such a hearing shall be scheduled as soon as possible, but not less than within 20 days, before City Council. The license shall continue on suspension pending the hearing. At such hearing, the licensee shall show good cause why the license shall not be canceled.
C. 
Upon cancellation, a licensee must reapply in accordance with this chapter for a new license.
A. 
The licensee shall be responsible for any damage occurring to any vehicle after it has come into the towing operator's possession until the owner or his representative takes possession.
B. 
The licensee shall maintain insurance coverage in the amounts and types specified in this chapter.
C. 
The licensee agrees to save and hold harmless the City from all manner of liability and expense, including attorneys' fees, arising from actions or omissions of the licensee.
D. 
All vehicles towed must be stored in an area protected by lighting and six-foot-high chain-link or stockade fencing to secure the safety of all vehicles stored.
E. 
The storage facility must be of sufficient size to accommodate at least 15 vehicles and must contain at least 4,000 square feet either inside or outside storage area, or in combination.
F. 
Unless otherwise directed by the owner of a vehicle, all vehicles towed by the licensee shall be stored at the yards or facilities listed on the application and at no other location.
G. 
All storage yards or areas must meet current zoning standards and comply with all applicable municipal ordinances and state laws.
H. 
The towing fees and storage fees established by the licensed towing operator shall be conspicuously posted at the storage facility owned or operated by the licensee, along with maximum fees established by ordinance. Additionally, the driver responding to a call shall carry a printed handout regarding towing fees and storage fees.
I. 
All towing operators shall be required to clear debris and refuse, including but not limited to broken glass and speedy dry materials, from the scene of any accident to which the licensee is called.
J. 
The licensee shall be required to respond to calls for towing services without delay, and in no event shall a licensee respond to a request for towing services later than 15 minutes from the receipt of a call for towing services.
K. 
In the event that a tower cannot provide adequate towing services upon being called, it shall notify the telecommunications officer, who shall notify the next towing operator on the rotation list to assist with provision of towing services.
The Chief of Police shall keep a register of the names of all persons and entities owning or operating tow trucks to which licenses have been issued under this chapter, together with the license number and description of such tow trucks.
A. 
Charges for the transportation, hauling or service of disabled or abandoned passenger cars by a towing operator under this chapter shall not exceed the charges as set forth by the Department of Community Affairs, or any other department with jurisdiction over this issue, if any, and as amended from time to time, but in no event shall such charges be more than reasonable and customary in the area.
B. 
Station wagons, pickup trucks and panel trucks up to 1 1/2 tons shall be considered the same as passenger automobiles for the purpose of rates and fees.
C. 
For motor vehicles which are not private-passenger automobiles, as set out in rules or regulations set forth by the Division of Community Affairs or any other department with jurisdiction over this issue, and if the vehicle is located within the public right-of-way, the maximum towing charge shall be as provided in Chapter 149, Fees, Article II, Schedule of Fees.
D. 
Rates for flatbeds shall be the same as for the utilization of other towing vehicles as set forth above, depending upon the weight of the vehicle being towed.
E. 
With respect to any vehicle that has been damaged, rolled over or is off the public right-of-way, an additional charge, which shall not be unreasonable, may be charged by the towing operator and negotiated between the driver of the vehicle and the towing operator.
F. 
With respect to any straight-body truck, tractor-trailer or other vehicle with over two axles, whether in the public right-of-way or not, such rates, which shall not be unreasonable, may be agreed upon between the towing operator and the owner of the vehicle.
G. 
To the extent practicable prior to engaging a tow, each towing operator shall inform the owner of such vehicle as to the amount of fees and costs, including storage fees, to be incurred for such services.
A. 
With respect to any fees paid to towing operators by the City of Bridgeton for storage of removed motor vehicles, storage fees shall not exceed the amount set forth in N.J.S.A. 40:48-2.50; said fees are also included in Chapter 149, Fees, Article II, Schedule of Fees.
B. 
With respect to any fees charged for storage services to parties other than the City of Bridgeton, storage fees shall not exceed the limits established by the Department of Community Affairs or any other department with jurisdiction over this issue.
C. 
With respect to any vehicle towed and stored at the direction of the Police Division pursuant to a police investigation, no operator may charge the City of Bridgeton for towing and storage in excess of $250 for any one vehicle in the event that possession and ownership ultimately rest in the City of Bridgeton, regardless of the length of time stored.
A. 
Any vehicle which is abandoned and which is towed by a licensee at the request of the City of Bridgeton shall be towed in accordance with this chapter.
B. 
All vehicles which are deemed to be abandoned vehicles in accordance with this chapter may be towed at the request of the Police Division. If the Division of Housing and Code Enforcement of the City of Bridgeton determine the need for any vehicle to be towed in accordance with this chapter, the City official shall notify the Police Division to arrange for the tow. The owner of the vehicle shall be responsible for the cost of abandoned vehicle tows in accordance with this chapter, and under no circumstances shall the City of Bridgeton be responsible for fees in excess of the storage fees set forth hereunder. Expenses for towing and storage of abandoned vehicles shall be recovered from the sale of such vehicles, and charges or expenses incurred for towing and storage of abandoned vehicles may otherwise be collected from the owner of such vehicles.
C. 
All towing operators shall comply with the requirements of N.J.S.A. 39:10A-1 et seq., as well as any other statute, rule or regulation relevant to this issue.
D. 
Subject to agreement and negotiation with the owner/operator, the recovery costs for any vehicle shall be the sole responsibility of the owner/operator and shall not be the responsibility of the City of Bridgeton.
E. 
Spillage. Any costs incurred by any City department, including but not limited to the Streets and Roads Department, Fire Department, etc., such as storage, cleanup, etc., shall be borne by the owner/operator of the vehicle. Any reasonable incidental expenses incurred by the City of Bridgeton during the recovery of any vehicle shall be borne by the owner.
[1]
Editor's Note: See also Ch. 347, Vehicles, Abandoned.
A. 
Abandoned and unclaimed motor vehicles shall be disposed of and sold, as the case may be, in accordance with the provisions of N J.S.A. 39:10A-1 et seq.
B. 
When a towing operator tows an abandoned vehicle at the request of the City of Bridgeton, the required reports pursuant to N.J.S.A. 39:10A-1a shall be prepared by such towing operator and furnished to the Director of Public Safety of the City of Bridgeton or his designee.
C. 
Unless otherwise disposed of, when it has been ascertained that an abandoned vehicle has not been stolen and is one which can be certified for a junk title, and the vehicle shall remain unclaimed by the owner or other person having a legal right thereto for a period in excess of 15 business days, then in such event such vehicle may be sold at auction, at a public place, to be conducted by the Police Division of the City of Bridgeton. The towing operator shall provide photographs of the vehicle to the Chief of Police or his designated agent prior to the sale.
D. 
All other sales of abandoned motor vehicles shall take place and occur in accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 39:10A-1 et seq.
A. 
The Police Division of the City of Bridgeton or the Director of Public Safety shall maintain a record of all towing calls made to towing operators appearing on the City of Bridgeton towing rotation list, the date and time thereof, and any missed calls by towing operators. Additional information may also be recorded as to the place, time of such tow, the identity and make, model and year of the vehicles being towed and any other information which may be deemed pertinent.
B. 
Every towing operator licensed under this chapter shall record, in a book kept solely for such purpose, the details of each disabled vehicle towed, serviced or transported, together with all information concerning the vehicle, including but not limited to the name of the owner of the towed vehicle, if known, the individual engaging towing services, the charges for the same, together with the make, model, year and license plate number of all vehicles being towed. The record book described in this section shall be kept open for inspection at all times by any duly authorized representative of the City of Bridgeton.
C. 
No tow operator shall dispose of, destroy, remove, sell or otherwise transfer any vehicle towed at the request of the City Police Division or other City department without first complying with all applicable laws of the State of New Jersey and notifying the City Police Division of its intention to do so, in writing, at least 14 days prior to effectuating the same.
A. 
Each towing operator approved for provision of towing services under this chapter shall be included upon a list to be maintained by the Director of Public Safety and Police Division of the City of Bridgeton.
B. 
Commencing at 12:01 a.m. each Monday morning, the Director of Public Safety or the Chief of Police shall designate a towing operator to receive all calls for towing services from the City of Bridgeton from such time until 11:59 p.m. the following Sunday. Thereafter, the next approved towing operator shall serve for the succeeding week, and other towing operators shall be rotated in like fashion.
C. 
In the event that a towing operator is unable, refuses or fails to respond to a towing call by not arriving at the scene of the tow within 15 minutes from the call, then, in such event, the next approved towing operator on the rotation list shall be called to respond by the tower at the scene.
D. 
If the licensee misses, fails or refuses to respond to three towing calls within a thirty-day period, such towing operator's continued inclusion on the City of Bridgeton's towing rotation list may be suspended or revoked as provided herein. If a licensee is notified of an attempt to suspend his license, upon request, the licensee shall be entitled to a hearing before the Director of Public Safety. In the event that the licensee is notified of the City's intention to revoke the licensee's license, then in such event the licensee will be entitled to a hearing before the City Council. Any appeal with respect to the Director of Public Safety's determination to suspend a licensee's license shall be heard by the City Council of the City of Bridgeton.
E. 
Such additional rules and regulations regarding the rotation of towing vehicles may be promulgated by the Director of Public Safety with the approval of the governing body.
F. 
All vehicles towed during the designated rotation period for each licensee shall, to the extent practicable, be made by the rotation towing operator on duty. In the event that a towing operator lacks the necessary equipment to conduct a tow, then in such event the tower shall call the next scheduled towing operator for such tow. When any unusual situation occurs which may be dangerous to the safety of the public, such as a spill of toxic material of other dangerous cargo, the Director of Public Safety or the Police Division may select any qualified tow operator.
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to preclude the owner of any vehicle from requesting any towing operator, at the owner's election, from towing the owner's vehicle or from utilizing the services of a particular towing operator within or without the City of Bridgeton, so long as such request does not jeopardize public safety.
A. 
Any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof; be punishable as provided in Chapter 1, Article III, General Penalty.
B. 
In addition to the penalty prescribed under this section, the Clerk, after notice and a hearing before City Council, may revoke or suspend any license issued under this chapter or refuse to renew any license previously issued for violation of any of the provisions of this chapter or any rules and regulations promulgated by the Director of Public Safety and/or the Chief of Police of the City of Bridgeton.
(1) 
Additionally, licenses may be revoked or suspended for the following reasons:
(a) 
Unsatisfactory service which jeopardizes public safety;
(b) 
More than three unexcused failures to respond and/or valid complaints as determined by the Director of Public Safety after investigation within a twelve-month period;
(c) 
Any complaint relative to service, overcharging, theft of parts, damage, discourteous treatment or the like.
(2) 
This provision for suspension or revocation is in addition to the action the Chief of Police is authorized to take under § 334-12 of this Code.
C. 
In the event that any licensee, after procuring the license pursuant to this chapter, shall thereafter be unable to comply with the provisions of this chapter, he shall notify the Clerk of the City of Bridgeton, in writing, after which the penalty provisions of this section shall not apply.
D. 
In the event that any tow operator does not keep the required records as required by this chapter or the rules and regulations adopted by the Director of Public Safety or by his delegate, the Chief of Police, the tow operator shall forfeit any fees or costs it would otherwise be entitled to pursuant to this chapter.
The Director of Public Safety and/or the City Police Division may promulgate such rules, regulations and procedures, not inconsistent with this chapter, as may be reasonable and necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter. Copies thereof shall be provided to all licensed tow operators and shall be made available to the public, along with copies of current fee schedules, during normal business hours. Failure to comply with applicable rules, regulations and procedures may be cause for revocation of a tow operator's license.