PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) – Some Portlanders are paying five times as much for a tow after experiencing a car accident than they would if they were ticketed and towed for parking in a loading zone or in front of a fire hydrant. Your final bill is determined by luck of the draw, according to a recent report filed with the city.
“I think of it as like a negative lottery,” said Tony Green, Deputy Ombudsman with the City of Portland.
The Office of the Ombudsman investigates citizen claims of unfair practices by the city. In February, Green was contacted by a driver who said that after a frightening crash, the tow company called by a police officer on scene asked for $1,657 to release their SUV. They were able to negotiate down to $920, still 40% of their monthly income…