PICO RIVERA — At the Nov. 12 City Council meeting a resident described what she called predatory towing and urged the city to act to protect elderly residents.

"On Friday, November 7, at approximately 1:30 p.m., my 79-year-old mother placed an order at Mario's Tacos for pickup'and when she came outside she found there were boots on her Honda CR-V," said Cynthia Ibarra, identifying herself as a 13-year Pico Rivera resident. Ibarra added that the towing company, Premier Tow and Recovery, "proceeded to try to coerce her to immediately give them $300 via Zelle." She also said the towing representative followed her mother into a business and refused to provide his name.

City Manager Albie Bettencourt said staff is "actively looking into that," that staff has met with Mario's Tacos and legal counsel is researching applicable laws, and that the city will try to identify victims and recover funds if wrongdoing is found. The Pico Rivera Sheriff's Station was credited with a timely response to the incident.

Several councilmembers called the practice predatory. Councilmember Barlow described repeated patterns and cited a state-mandated "grace period" (staff said at least 30 minutes is a relevant statutory buffer) that may apply before enforcement by private tow operators. Mayor Pro Tem Camacho urged staff to research a more comprehensive, citywide ordinance that could include a registration or RFP process for tow companies or conditional-use-permit requirements for companies operating in the city.

Dr. Monica Sanchez asked the Pico Rivera Sheriff's Station whether any criminal findings had been recorded in this specific case; staff said no report had been taken because there was no exchange of money at the time and the city will follow up. The city manager reiterated that legal review is underway and that staff will bring recommendations forward.

The council did not adopt any ordinance at the meeting but directed staff to research options and to pursue remedies if state law or local authority permits enforcement or restitution for victims.