Connecticut's Tow Law: An Alleged Exploitative Practice

In Connecticut, a divisive regulation permits towing firms to auction off vehicles they impound after merely 15 days.

This regulation has been labeled as exploitative by its detractors, who claim that tow companies are intentionally targeting communities where working-class individuals reside.

Paul Boudreau and Greta Blau, residents of Waterbury, experienced having their vehicle towed in 2021.

"They attributed it to expired registration," Boudreau explained. "At that time, the DMV had just resumed operations and there was a significant waiting period of six to ten weeks just to renew a car's registration." They were soon informed that their vehicle was slated for sale.

"And ultimately, I lost the car," recounted Boudreau. "In Connecticut, this is entirely within legal bounds. Finding $300 to $800 on short notice is impossible for many people."

The couple recounted to CBS News that their residential complex had been repeatedly targeted over several years. "Within two years, about 1,000 vehicles were taken from our community," stated Blau. Frustrated by the persistency, Boudreau and Blau set up a neighborhood patrol to monitor a specific towing company.

"The company in question is MyHoopty.com LLC," Blau disclosed. "They deliberately target places like our complexes, areas populated by lower-income individuals." Eventually, their facility manager banned MyHoopty from their complex. However, CBS News found that the company continued to target other areas by conducting overnight surveillances.

Around 5:30 in the early morning, the bright lights of a MyHoopty tow truck were spotted by the CBS News team as it neared a producer's vehicle, seemingly prepared to tow it. The crew managed to relocate the car just in time.

Michael Festa, the proprietor of MyHoopty, explained to CBS News, "Rules are in place to ensure as many residents as possible, who have a legitimate claim, can park near their home."

When questioned on the morality of his company’s actions, Festa contended, "I believe it is fair and proper to uphold the complex's parking regulations."