'Outrage' As Restaurant Patrons' Cars Get Towed From Freehold Twp. Lot

FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP, NJ — Police are advising patrons of Tommy’s Tavern + Tap on Route 9 to park only in the parking lot located directly outside of the restaurant after "outraged" residents have complained that their cars are being towed from a nearby lot by private companies.

"We understand there has been some outrage about the vehicles being towed from the parking lot adjacent to Tommy's Tavern + Tap and the excessive fees being charged," township police said in an updated post Wednesday.

"To be clear, these vehicles are NOT being towed by the Freehold Township Police Department, but a private tow company acting on behalf of the property management company. This company is not affiliated with the Police Department or Tommy’s Tavern + Tap," the department said.

Because of the towing enforcement, customers are urged by police not to park in the adjacent parking lot to the north (from Provident Bank to Jersey Mike's).

On the police Facebook site, one person commented that the towing companies charged $1,000 and there was not clear signage.

If anyone has had their vehicle towed recently by SRS Parking Management or IMRT Towing from the area of Tommy’s Tavern + Tap or anywhere else in Freehold Township, police ask that you contact Sgt. James Burdge at jburdge@twp.freehold.nj.us or 908-415-0539.

Burdge further explained Wednesday that the department wants to both inform the public of the potential for towing - and to gather more information about the incidents.

The property owners are allowed to enforce strict parking restrictions, he said, but they must be done in accordance with the Predatory Towing Act.

He confirmed the township has received numerous complaints from citizens saying they have had to pay exorbitant fees to retrieve their vehicle from the private tow company hired by the property manager.

Car owners may also file a general complaint with Consumer Affairs using this link, police said.