Listening to the Community: Stopping Unlicensed Businesses in the District
One of the best ways OAG works to promote the public interest is by listening directly to residents. OAG gathers feedback from community meetings, events, and direct constituent interactions to learn about problems and to understand how we can better serve District residents.
Earlier this summer, OAG’s Office of Community Engagement received several complaints that Tow Junkies LLC, a towing truck business, was unlawfully parking its tow trucks on residential streets in Southeast D.C. An OAG investigation by the Civil Enforcement Section revealed that not only was Tow Junkies operating without the proper licenses, but that it had already been fined $2,500 for doing so by the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs. After investigating and confirming that Tow Junkies was still in violation of District law, OAG filed suit to stop this illegal business.
Last week, OAG scored a victory when a Court ordered Tow Junkies to stop operating within the District and remove its tow trucks from residential streets until it obtains the proper licenses. It was great to have several community members appear at the hearing and work alongside OAG to get this issue resolved.
This is just one example of how feedback from the community helps inform OAG’s work.
How to contact OAG
If you have questions, concerns, or feedback for OAG, reach out to our Office of Community Engagement at (202) 724-5487.