As part of ongoing efforts to combat the "bad actors" in the towing industry this year, hundreds of charges have been laid, and some tow trucks removed from the road, according to the Ontario Provincial Police auto theft and towing team and policing partners, including York Regional Police.
"Police are aware of ongoing criminality and violence committed by a small percentage of bad actors within the towing industry, and endeavour to lead proactive and intelligence-led investigations to identify those involved and lay charges," an OPP news release stated.
"With an intelligence-led approach, policing partners are diligently working together to address criminality in the towing industry to identify, disrupt and dismantle organized crime groups violating regulations and exploiting other tow operators," police said, adding that most tow companies and operators are not involved in organized crime or criminal activities and follow regulations.
In 2024, law enforcement took proactive measures such as enforcement activities, removing illegitimate tow companies, trucks and operators from the road and laying charges, police said.
Policing partners, including York Regional Police, Toronto Police Service, Peel Regional Police, Durham Regional Police Service and Halton Regional Police Service, continue to provide education and enforce regulations that apply to tow operators.
"York Regional Police remains committed to addressing the violent trends associated with the tow truck industry. While the majority of tow truck operators within our region operate legitimately, a small number continue to incorporate a criminal element as part of their practices. It is this level of criminality that concerns our residents, who have a right to live in our communities without fear. Through a collaborative approach with our fellow law enforcement agencies, we will continue to investigate these violent acts and ensure those responsible are held accountable," YRP Supt. Ryan Hogan, organized crime and intelligence services, said in a news release.
2024 at a glance: quick facts
- OPP laid 518 tow-related charges and removed 41 tow trucks from Ontario roads due to violations. OPP Highway Safety Division completed seven proactive commercial motor vehicle enforcement initiatives focused on tow inspections, and 30 other CMV enforcement initiatives where tow trucks were subject to inspection.
- York Regional Police conducted multiple initiatives aimed at reducing tow-related violence and hosted a training symposium for frontline officers from across the GTA to educate them on the new TSSEA. These initiatives led to 176 tow truck inspections across the region and as a result, 47 tow-related charges were laid under the Highway Traffic Act and TSSEA.
- Toronto Police continues to crack down on tow truck-related shootings through its tow truck task force. A total of 507 tow-related charges were laid by TPS under the Highway Traffic Act and TSSEA and three tow trucks were removed from the road.
- Durham Regional Police took pro-active measures, including a CMV safety initiative, to ensure compliance with safety regulations where 170 tow trucks were inspected, 69 tow-related charges were laid, and 22 tow trucks were removed from the road for safety violations.
- Peel Regional Police road safety services has conducted inspection and enforcement activities as part of an ongoing initiative since August. To date, two arrests were made under the Criminal Code, 234 tow-related charges laid, 79 inspected tow trucks were found to be non-compliant, and nine tow trucks were removed from the road.
The OPP Provincial Tow Program has aimed to improve public safety and help mitigate criminality in Ontario's towing industry. To be an approved Towing and Storage Service Operator (TSSO), a tow operator or tow company must meet certain requirements, including a criminal record check, and certification through the Ministry of Transportation Ontario.
Anyone with information about criminality in the towing industry is encouraged to contact their police service of jurisdiction. If you feel intimidated or threatened by anyone in the towing industry, do not engage, keep distance and contact police, police advise.
To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Concerns and complaints regarding tow operators can be filed through the MTO's website.
Know your tow
The OPP and its partners want to remind the public that they have the right to decide who can tow their vehicle and to what location. Visit opp.ca/towing to find more information and understand your towing rights.
"The OPP and our partners understand the complex issues associated to criminality within the towing industry including acts of violence and harassment. We recognize that the vast majority of tow operators are following regulations and conducting business in a legitimate manner. We will continue to lead proactive investigations and enforcement initiatives to remove these illegitimate tow trucks and their operators from Ontario roadways," said OPP Deputy Commissioner Marty Kearns, investigations and organized crime.
