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Miami Beach, FL - Miami Beach city commissioners have approved a policy granting residents a 15-minute warning before their vehicles are towed for certain parking violations.
The newly adopted system will send a one-time text message to registered residents parked in non-life-safety violation zones, such as restricted residential areas or no-parking zones.
Upon receiving the alert, vehicle owners will have a 15-minute window to rectify the situation and move their cars to avoid towing.
However, this courtesy will not extend to severe infractions; vehicles parked in fire lanes, travel lanes, freight loading zones, or handicap spaces without proper permits will be towed immediately without prior notification.
Commissioner Alex Fernandez, who sponsored the resolution, highlighted the impact of towing on the community, noting that approximately 2,000 residents experienced towing last year.
The city's two authorized towing companies, Beach Towing and Tremont Towing, have expressed support for the initiative.
Their attorney, Ralph Andrade, stated that the policy "makes life easier for residents in parking-challenged Miami Beach."
To benefit from this notification system, residents must enroll by registering their vehicles and providing a valid phone number through the city's parking system.
Prior to the program's official launch, the city plans to conduct public outreach to encourage participation and ensure residents are informed about the new service.
This initiative aims to enhance communication between the city and its residents, providing a practical solution to mitigate the inconvenience and expenses associated with vehicle towing for minor parking violations.