BY JOHN K. MANNA JMANNA@NCNEWSONLINE.COM





Criminal background checks would be required of towing company employees under an ordinance introduced by New Castle City Council. The background checks under state Act 33 are part of the requirements companies would have to meet to be on the city's rotation list for towing of vehicles involved in accidents or police-related matters. Except for the background checks, most of the other requirements have been in effect, according to Police Chief Thomas Sansone. "There wasn't a hard, fast written rule," he said. He drew up the requirements at council's direction. At present, four companies are on the list: Red's Towing, Greg's Auto Body, Varsity Service and Bruno's. The companies rotate, with each one being on call for one week beginning Monday morning. Those companies have been towing for the city for eight to 12 years, Sansone estimated. Council president Rob Ratkovich, who was absent from Thursday night's meeting, said earlier in the week, "We feel if you're a reputable tow company in New Castle, you should be on the list." He said there were two companies that wanted to be on the list. According to Ratkovich, he told Sansone that they are businesses in the city and pay taxes, and should be eligible to be on the list. Sansone has some questions regarding the background checks. "I'm not sure where they want to go with that," he said. The chief questioned how someone who was charged with a summary offense 30 years ago or charged with a misdemeanor should be evaluated. "Where do you draw the line?" City resident Mary Ellen Jessel told council Thursday night before it introduced the ordinance that she isn't opposed to background checks. She asked whether the checks would include the companies now on the list or apply only to new ones. She also asked whether city employees have had background checks. "These are just some of the questions that need to be answered," she said. Councilwoman Karen DeCarlo said that all her employees at Laidlaw, a bus company, are required to undergo Act 33 clearance. "That's the way of the world today," she said. In response to Jessel, DeCarlo said council isn't interested in selecting the companies who would be on the list, adding that the lawmakers don't want to take away the authority of the chief. Following are some of the other requirements:





Criminal background checks would be required of towing company employees under an ordinance introduced by New Castle City Council. The background checks under state Act 33 are part of the requirements companies would have to meet to be on the city's rotation list for towing of vehicles involved in accidents or police-related matters. Except for the background checks, most of the other requirements have been in effect, according to Police Chief Thomas Sansone. "There wasn't a hard, fast written rule," he said. He drew up the requirements at council's direction. At present, four companies are on the list: Red's Towing, Greg's Auto Body, Varsity Service and Bruno's. The companies rotate, with each one being on call for one week beginning Monday morning. Those companies have been towing for the city for eight to 12 years, Sansone estimated. Council president Rob Ratkovich, who was absent from Thursday night's meeting, said earlier in the week, "We feel if you're a reputable tow company in New Castle, you should be on the list." He said there were two companies that wanted to be on the list. According to Ratkovich, he told Sansone that they are businesses in the city and pay taxes, and should be eligible to be on the list. Sansone has some questions regarding the background checks. "I'm not sure where they want to go with that," he said. The chief questioned how someone who was charged with a summary offense 30 years ago or charged with a misdemeanor should be evaluated. "Where do you draw the line?" City resident Mary Ellen Jessel told council Thursday night before it introduced the ordinance that she isn't opposed to background checks. She asked whether the checks would include the companies now on the list or apply only to new ones. She also asked whether city employees have had background checks. "These are just some of the questions that need to be answered," she said. Councilwoman Karen DeCarlo said that all her employees at Laidlaw, a bus company, are required to undergo Act 33 clearance. "That's the way of the world today," she said. In response to Jessel, DeCarlo said council isn't interested in selecting the companies who would be on the list, adding that the lawmakers don't want to take away the authority of the chief. Following are some of the other requirements:





Tow companies shall maintain adequate insurance on equipment and have liability insurance.





Tow companies are not to jump calls.





Tow companies are to be reasonable in costs for tows "and are not to gouge customers." The companies are not permitted to charge more than the administrative fee imposed by city ordinance. The fee is currently $20.