The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "tow trucks" ...
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"Drivers Beware"
Thomas Caywood revealed that a local towing company, Falcon Recovery, was using an "undercover spotter" to keep watch on a strip mall parking lot. Just moments after motorists parked and left their cars, the spotter would call in a tow truck. Caywood also revealed that the company was "tacking on an illegal charge."
Tags: Falcon Recovery; tow trucks; strip mall; Worcester; RMV; Registry of Motor Vehicles; Madison Place; Francis R. Whitenett Jr.
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On the Hook
KTVU found that the small claims court in California was being abused by tow truck operator, Paul Greer. However the abuse was able to happen because of lack of oversight which allowed him to file for more than two small claim cases a year. "In fact, on one day [KTVU] found 12 small claims judgments in favor of Greer totaling more than $23,000."
Tags: small claims; justice; law; California; state courts; database;
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Danger in Tow
Los Angeles Times investigated U-Haul International. They looked at the high number of towing accidents that occur while towing U-Haul trailers. U-Haul trailers were not kept up to standard and maintenance was poor. When faced with law suits from injured customers, "U-Haul has repeatedly lost, altered or discarded truck and trailer parts" which would have been evidence.
Tags: travel; transportation; U-Haul International; safety; driving; moving; law suits; destruction of evidence; injuries
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Tow Truck Pirates
The investigation looked into the rampant practice of illegally towing cars from private parking lots in LA and the laws that have allowed them to continue.
Tags: towing; L.A.; Los Angeles; Federal Aviation Administration Act; Interstate Commerce Commission; Chris Cox; Jim Moran; Dianne Feinstein
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Parking tickets include fee for phantom towing
A computer analysis of more than 38,000 parking tickets revealed that a police officer was assessing towing charges on hundreds of tickets he wrote for illegally parked cars – even though he never summoned a tow truck. The charges for the phantom tows totaled nearly $10,000, making him the city’s most prolific ticket writer. After the story, the city suspended the officer, offered refunds and no longer allows ticketing officers to assess towing charges.
Tags: car; towing; ticket; fraud; police officer; parking; parking ticket
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No Tow Zone
An in-depth investigation using Computer Assisted Reporting showed that during snow emergencies, tow trucks rarely showed up to certain parts of St. Paul. The story examines the ramifications for poorer communities as far as selective enforcement and unequal municipal services are concerned.
Tags: Snow; tow; city services
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Bricker's Tow
A KGO-TV hidden camera investigation showed a towing company repeatedly towing cars illegally.
Tags: San Francisco; California; Bricker's Tow; towing; trucks; illegal; cars; impound; TAPE; TRANSCRIPT
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2002 IRE National Conference Show and Tell Tape #1,
2002 IRE National Conference (San Francisco) Show and Tell Tape #1 features the following stories: 1) Mark Greenblatt (KOAA-Colorado Springs) Knives and other weapons are brought into area schools, but local authorities do a poor job of keeping track of the infractions. 2) Joe Ducey (KRON-San Francisco) A loophole in food transportation laws in California allows small wholesalers to truck food that should be kept cold in hot vehicles without facing any penalties. 3) Anna Werner (KHOU-Houston) presents short clips of broadcasts that illustrate good use of graphics and sound. 4) Dave Savini (WMAQ-Chicago) Area firefighters and police officers are allowed to continue patrolling the streets despite DUI convictions. 5) Jim Strickland (WSB-Atlanta) The American Biographical Institute sells dubious awards like "Man of the Year" to Regular Joes for exuberant prices. 6) Dan Noyes (ABC 7-San Francisco) A local towing company illegally tows cars that have been parked for only a half hour, instead of waiting the required hour before towing. 7) Tony Kovaleski (ABC 7-Denver) Jefferson County school bus drivers are forced to drive unsafe buses. 8) Bill Sheil (Fox 8-Cleveland) A local Muslim leader is found to have an indirect tie to an organization linked to Osama Bin Laden. 9) Twenty-five clips from various broadcasts showing camera techniques. 10) Mark Lagerkvist (News 12-Long Island) Malpractice lawsuits have a statute of limitations of two year and six months. This can harm certain patients who don't know they've been injured until five or 10 years later. 11) Darcy Spears (KVBC-Las Vegas) A local lasik eye surgery clinic recommends the surgery to all its patients -- even those who shouldn't undergo the procedure. 12) Phil Williams (WTVF-Nashville, Tenn.) A local county clerk makes one of his employees buy him beer and mow his lawn. 13) Sandra Chapman (WISH-Indianapolis) A local doctor gives out highly addictive narcotics to patients without examining them. Many of her patients are simply "dopers" who've found an easy place to buy their drugs. 14) Glen Meek (KTNV-Las Vegas) The former UCLA men's soccer coach, Todd Saldana, received his undergraduate degree from a fake university. Saldana resigned after the story broke. 15) Larry Yellen (WFLD-Chicago) Security guards at a local federal building sleep on the job.
Tags: TAPE; San Francisco; conference; no transcripts; IRE
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The Truth About Towing
The Chicago Tribune Magazine reports on the city tow truck business. In a department competing with newly privatized towing contracts and dealing with scandals involving the stripping of impounded cars, one reporter spends some time riding with a tow truck driver to see the story from the inside out. For tow truck drivers, towing illegally parked cars is just business; for citizens it's expensive, embarrassing and inconvenient. However, these city employees who are just doing their job are a dying breed; they're being replaced by guys for whom the number of cars towed is directly linked to the amount of money they make.
Tags: towing; privatization
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No title (id: 13965)
"Cause For Alarm" was an investigation into the questionable maintenance practices of City of Houston Fire Department equipment, which is supposed to help save lives. Toe begin the investigation the 13 Undercover unit discovered a series of fires where fire trucks sent to the scene had broke equipment. The Houston Fire Department knew the equipment was broken when the trucks were dispatched to the fires. Three people died in tow of these fires, including two small children. KTRK uncovered internal; documentation suggesting the broken equipment delayed rescue attempts. (November 27 - December 3, 1996)
Tags: Dolcefino Cadena Bivens CAR Cause for alarm Contest entry TAPE No Script