Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Bloomberg: No Sympathy For Frequently-Towed Detectives
By
Ben Muessig
Published Mar 17, 2010
Modified Mar 17, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Muessig
Published Mar 17, 2010
Modified Mar 17, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Mayor Bloomberg says NYPD detectives should start parking their cars legally instead of complaining about an Internal Affairs Bureau tow truck unit that has been towing their unmarked vehicles. "They can tell it to the judge or tell it to their precinct commander, and they'll work it out," Bloomberg told the Daily News. "The law should apply to everyone."
Detectives claim they are unfairly targeted by tow trucks working under Internal Affairs Bureau orders to haul at least four police vehicles per day. Members of the Detectives Endowment Association say the tow trucks go after their vehicles—in some cases when they are actually making arrests—while ignoring illegally parked squad cars because it would be too embarrassing for the police department if patrol cars were spotted being towed to the impound lot.
"I'm not complaining about our cars being towed that are blocking pumps, bus stops or impeding vehicular traffic," said detectives union president Michael Palladino. "I am complaining about quotas and selective enforcement ... The current program jeopardizes the safety of cops and of prisoners." Tow truck drivers say they don't want to go after detectives—they're just following orders. "We're doing what we're told to do," tow truck drivers union vice president Marvin Robbins told the tabloid. "We're caught in the middle."
Tagged
detectives
detectives union
illegal parking
internal affairs bureau
mayor bloomberg
nypd
nypd tow truck
parking
parking placard abuse
police
tow truck
Ben Muessig
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NYC Council to consider earlier Legionella reporting after deadly outbreaks
A bill facing a hearing Monday would require cooling tower owners to notify city health officials when bacteria levels reach a much lower threshold.
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Oct 18, 2026 at 7:36 p.m. ET
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
By
Gino Fanelli
NYPD identifies Bronx man, 26, killed in Midtown subway shooting
By
Ryan Kost
,
Elizabeth Kim
and
Phil Corso
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .