Parking Enforcement Systems
Parking Enforcement Systems is a private company founded in 2002 by Andy Mayer that operates tow trucks and a lot for storage of vehicles removed from private parking lots for illegal parking. The business, which has offices in the 2101 6th Avenue building, contracts with lot owners to provide the service, and charges a fee to owners of immobilized or seized vehicles to reclaim them. The business' operations are regulated by the City of Birmingham's under Title 12 of the General Code of the City of Birmingham.
Parking Enforcement Systems' tow lot is located at 2608 5th Avenue South, adjacent to Mt Olive Baptist Church in Southside.
In the aftermath of the 2014 winter storm, Mayer volunteered his services to help pull trapped cars back onto the roads in response to pleas for help on the "What's Happening in Trussville" Facebook group.
In 2015 the company applied to the City of Birmingham to operate "two wreckers and one truck" on city streets.
The business practices of Parking Enforcement Systems have been criticized by many as "predatory". The Birmingham Police Department and the city attorney has been forwarded complaints but have not found evidence that the business has violated the city's towing ordinance (Title 12, Chapter 19).
On September 29, 2022 Adarius Peterson was shot to death in a dispute with driver working for Parking Enforcement Systems at the tow lot. After an investigation it was determined that the driver's use of force was justified, and no criminal charges were filed.
References
- Robinson, Ronda (February 12, 2014) "Trussville snow angel offered free towing during last week's snowstorm."" WBRC.com
- Sheets, Connor (March 27, 2015) "Birmingham to act against 'unscrupulous towing' as driver complaints pour in." The Birmingham News
- Gray, Jeremy & Carol Robinson (October 5, 2022) "Man shot to death by Birmingham tow truck driver ruled justifiable homicide." The Birmingham News
- Patterson, Nick (January 13, 2023) "Towing service complaints don’t show Parking Enforcement Systems breaking the law, Birmingham says." AL.com
- Gann, Heather (January 26, 2023) "Legal records show recent public outcry against Parking Enforcement Systems is nothing new." AL.com