Several area towing companies are claiming Steuben County is playing favorites when calling for assistance with traffic accidents.
Towing company representatives met Thursday afternoon with Steuben County Sheriff Dave Cole and Bath-based New York State Police Capt. Rick Allen to voice their displeasure about how 911 dispatchers and some officers will only call T & R Towing & Service for assistance with vehicle accidents.
“There’s only one towing company called by 911,” said Robert Dickinson of Cajun Towing in Arkport. “It’s T & R. They don’t call anyone else. There’s no fair rotation list.”
T & R Towing has locations in Gang Mills, Bath and Hornell. The owners could not be reached Thursday for comment.
Representatives from about a dozen towing businesses attended Thursday’s meeting. All claimed to have experienced a significant decrease in the number of calls they have received from Steuben County 911 operators and police officers.
“There’s just not a rotation,” said Blaine Westervelt of B & W Towing.
Kristen Klemenz, also of B & W Towing, said every towing company should receive 911 calls, but that is not what is happening.
“Sending everything to T & R hurts all of the other towing companies,” Klemenz said.
Cole said he will try to set up a meeting between towing companies and the Steuben County Legislature, which sets the policy on towing calls.
“I’m looking forward to talking to the legislators,” Dickinson said.
Several area towing companies are claiming Steuben County is playing favorites when calling for assistance with traffic accidents.
Towing company representatives met Thursday afternoon with Steuben County Sheriff Dave Cole and Bath-based New York State Police Capt. Rick Allen to voice their displeasure about how 911 dispatchers and some officers will only call T & R Towing & Service for assistance with vehicle accidents.
“There’s only one towing company called by 911,” said Robert Dickinson of Cajun Towing in Arkport. “It’s T & R. They don’t call anyone else. There’s no fair rotation list.”
T & R Towing has locations in Gang Mills, Bath and Hornell. The owners could not be reached Thursday for comment.
Representatives from about a dozen towing businesses attended Thursday’s meeting. All claimed to have experienced a significant decrease in the number of calls they have received from Steuben County 911 operators and police officers.
“There’s just not a rotation,” said Blaine Westervelt of B & W Towing.
Kristen Klemenz, also of B & W Towing, said every towing company should receive 911 calls, but that is not what is happening.
“Sending everything to T & R hurts all of the other towing companies,” Klemenz said.
Cole said he will try to set up a meeting between towing companies and the Steuben County Legislature, which sets the policy on towing calls.
“I’m looking forward to talking to the legislators,” Dickinson said.
