Shocker's Blog

The news media gives the impression this most recent homicide at The Riverhills Shopping Center is a rarity, but, it's not. The killing of the club bouncer at Discoteca this past Saturday can be blamed on the club owner's greed to make every buck possible, by allowing patrons carrying weapons into a club, that exceed the occupancy limit every weekend.

Even before, when this club was named Club Latino, there were killings, stabbings and fights that kept APD and EMS busy, so, this most recent homicide, is a product of greed.

The rest of Henry Sector, which 1905 E Riverside Drive is located, should not have to lose patrol manpower all because a club owner, can't control his patron's conducts. The apartment complexes directly behind and next to the shopping center are occupied by immigrants, so yes, the criminal element is going to target that area.

The crime problem will continue as long as you have the mix of residents living within close proximity of clubs, liquor stores and multi-family residential developments.

 

When I first heard about this, I was like "wowww". But it is true, what I have been saying for more than 5 years, that wrecker drivers, dispatchers and vehicle storage facility employees are stealing credit card numbers from motorist that need their vehicle towed or to pay the charges owned if placed into storage.

Last month on the 30th at approximately 3:30am in the morning, Jose C was driving northbound through Austin and ran out of propane. Jose made it to a gas station and called Austin Express Towing to tow him to the Uhaul place of business in order for him to fill his truck full of propance so he could be on his way home to Hubbard, Texas.

An Austin Express tow truck arrived and towed Jose C,' truck to the Uhaul business on Ben White to get propane for $90.00. Jose C paid the tow truck driver with a credit card, after the payment was approved, the tow truck driver gave Jose C an Austin Express Towing invoice #20416, the tow truck driver's name is Benjamin R, Guerrero.

On September 4, 2008, Jose C' credit card  fraud protection department called telling the Jose' wife of some irregular charges on their account and they cancelled the card number on September 4th.

The first charge was on August 31, 2008 at 6:47pm from 5510 IH35 S Austin, which is the Pizza Hut, The amount was $36.65 for a delivery at 4141 S Congress Avenue.

The second charge was on August 31, 2008 from 111 West William Cannon which is known as the China Emperor for $54.20  to be delivered to 4141 S Congress Avenue.

THe third charge was on September 1, 2008 at 11:30am from 719 West William Cannon Dr which is Dominos Pizza for amount of $67.58 for delivery.

The investigation by the APD Wrecker Enforcement revealed an additional 5 charges totally $429.16.

After a photo lineup was presented to the delivery drivers that delivered food to the same location, all, including Jose C identified Austin Express Towing driver Benjamin R Guerrero, as the individual that commited the offenses he is currently charged with, Credit Card Abuse, State Jail Felony and it currently in the Travis County Jail. (D1DC08302425 - ARREST WARRANT NUMBER)

What this incident tells us, is that some in the towing and vehicle storage facility industry even being licensed by the Texas Department of License and Regulation are outright criminal who could at anytime commit a criminal act without the average person even knowing they were scammed.

The one thing the motoring public can do, is to call, email and write your Texas state Senator or House Representative, and demand they sponsor legislation, to amend:

Occupations Code 2308.405 to read: A violation of this chapter is a Class B Misdemeanor punishable by:  (1) a fine not to exceed $2,000;  (2) confinement in jail for a term not to exceed 180 days; or  (3) both such fine and confinement.

Occupations Code 2308.453 to read, "A hearing under this chapter shall be in the justice court having jurisdiction in the precinct in which the parking facility is located", and if the storage facility fails to provide the name, address, and telephone number of the person, property owner, or law enforcement agency that authorized the removal of the vehicle, the fourteen (14) day deadline for filing the request under Sec. 2308.452 does not apply.

A registered vehicle owner and voter should be allowed to vote for the Judge hearing their tow hearing, instead of having to drive to another county or precinct. The original statute required the tow hearing to be held in the precinct the parking facility was located, but the towing industry lobby had it changed to benefit their bottomline.

It's bad enough that you get burned by the towing company that the hearing to determine if probable cause existed to have your vehicle towed, is held in a court, that Judge is close friends or related with towing company owner or attorney, thanks to campaign contributions, bar tabs.

THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THIS CONTINUING CRIME AGAINST THE PUBLIC BY TOWING COMPANIES AND PARKING FACILITIES IS TO INCREASE THE PENALTY!

                                        

BTW,  A WRECKER DRIVER IS REQUIRED TO DISPLAY THE TDLR LICENSE ON THEIR SHIRT OR UPON DEMAND BY A CONSUMER. IF THEY CANNOT PRODUCDE THIS LICENSE, CALL ANOTHER TOWING SERVICE, IF YOUR VEHICLE IS HOOKED UP TO THE TOW TRUCK AND THEY DO NOT HAVE THIS LICENSE, GET INSIDE YOUR VEHICLE, LOCK DOOR AND CALL 911!!

Austinite are still being burned in parking lots across the city not knowing the wrecker driver cannot charge you anything if yoiu catch them loading up your vehicle.

Your are urged to visit www.texastowingcompliance.com .

 

The two homicides on Riverside Drive early this morning involved undocumented men who were in the country illegally. But, neither deserved to die just because of their immigration status.

Considering the high number of undocumented aliens living east of the Interstate off Riverside Drive, crime has held steady over the past couple of years in Henry Sector. The true number of crime incidents will never be known because these undocumented aliens refuse to call the Police unless they are found dead by another citizen.

You can't blame the Police for the spike in criminal activity, they can only respond if they are made aware of a crime that has been committed.

Although, many of us that live in the neighborhoods in Henry 4 would appreciate increased police patrols, but, have been told there are not enough police officers to go around. Some days we never see a police car on our street, Frontier Valley Drive, which has become a cut thru street from Bastrop Highway to Riverside Drive. Very few vehicles obey the posted 30 mph speed limit nor stop at the posted stop signs.

As for as people blaming Chief Acevedo for the crime increase in Austin, it's not his fault or whoever might be chief, it has alot to do with drug abuse, the economy and unemployment.

Several local towing companies are obtaining your personal information from your vehicle registration information linked to the license plates on your vehicle thru their access contract with TxDOT.

TxDOT allows Vehicle Storage Facilities thru a contract to obtain vehicle registration information for vehicles that are stored without the consent of the vehicle owner to verify ownership. But, many towing company employees are running registrations in violation of the Driver Protection Act to reasons not allowed by State and Federal Law. 

If you ask a police officer to run someone's vehicle license plate, they will tell you they are not allowed to, but any towing company that operates their own vehicle storage facility, any of their employees or friends, who could be convicted felons, could obtain your personal information.

I know this is happening, because I was told by a TxDOT VTR staff person, that my vehicle license plate had been ran by 4 different towing companies numerous times, yet my vehicle has never been towed or stored at any of the 4 towing company's vehicle storage facility.

So basically, your wife or daughter's vehicle license plate registration information, which contains the name and full address is being obtained illegally by known felons without you even knowing it.

Earlier this evening, I was watching the Budget Workshop on Channel 6 that the entire Council, staff and City Manager Ott were in attendance. From what I heard, is that there is more expenditures than revenue for the FY09 Budget.  Several Council members where concerned about the reduced amount of sales tax that is anticipated.

Speaking with a friend of mine that works in the Budget Office, I learned that the COA has never implemented the charging of a tax on leased vehicles as is done with property taxes.

The city council could pass an ordinance that taxes leased vehicles at the same rate as it does for other property taxes, such as houses and land.

“If you buy a vehicle, you pay sales tax,”  “If you lease one, you don’t. The lease tax is not as much as the sales tax. That was the purpose of it, to get people who were trying to avoid sales tax in the city.”“

Senate Bill 248, 77th Legislature that the Governor sign into Law gives municipalities these options to recover sale tax that wouldn't been collected before.

Remember, Austin Mayor Wynn is a developer himself and acknowledges he has a huge rental income portfolio. A large number of developers and their consultants (former city employees) contributed heavily in the last Council election for Wynn.

The proposed Light Rail Route will benefit the developers who are behind the highrise condos downtown and the residential properties at Mueller, none of which are affordable for the very citizens being taxed out of their homes because of rezoning in favor of developers.

Unless the Light Rail provides service to south and north Austin, voters should vote against this issue!

Our neighborhood streets in some parts of Austin are in horrible condition, but it is revelant that our current City Council is more worried about giving tax breaks and incentatives to developers that cost the taxpayers dearly in the long run.

Affordable Housing credits instead of actual housing units benefit one person, the developer.

Until the workforce of city, county, school district and state entities have an affordable within income means to live and raise their families, the very issue of untruths about future taxpayer funded projects by local elected officials will lead to more voters not going to the polls during Council elections.

Every person that runs for political office is a voter parasite and couldn't pass a polygraph after a year in office if asked if their decision were in the best interest of every citizen and taxpayer!

 "Why did the Army kill my Daddy?"

How many of your loved one have served in the Middle East ended up like the Warrior in this story?

A four vehicle collision this afternoon in the 3500 Blk NIH35SB on the Lower Level backed traffic up on the interstate in both directions as rubberneckers slowed to look at this wreck. The vehicle underneath the Nissan pickup is a Jaguar convertible that was plowed into by a Ford Mustang.

This wreck like the many others on the lower level of the Interstate, otherwise referred to as the Suicide decks, are all cause by drivers who refuse to obey the posted 55mph speed limit, follow to close and not paying attention.

EMS transported 2 patients to St Davids and are lucky to be alive!

At the last Austin City Council meeting on March 27th, Lt Kenn Cannaday with the Austin Police Department confirmed the scams by wrecker drivers were a concern and are investigating complaints.

Watch the entire video.

This demanding of an unauthorized fee by wrecker drivers is happening everyday in parking lots across Austin!

The following photographs are of when you might catch a wrecker driver hooking up your vehicle to be towed away from a parking lot without your permission. We know for a fact, a large number of wrecker drivers are charging fees that are unauthorized.

The first series of photographs, you will see different stages your vehicle could be in when running out to catch the driver. In these series, YOU PAY THE DRIVER NOTHING!

Simply, being backed up to your vehicle does not allow the wrecker driver to charge any fee whatsoever. If they demand a fee before moving the tow truck, call 911.

You could hear a wrecker driver demanding money because his wheel lift is under the car and touching the wheel as shown above.. YOU PAY NOTHING TO THE DRIVER!

Another scam a wrecker drive may pull is saying, "I have your vehicle off the ground" and you own me $$$$. Nope, you PAY THE WRECKER NOTHING!!!

If you drive a front wheel drive vehicle, these vehicles must be dollied, or your transmission will be fried by the time you pick it up at the storage yard. Again, same instance, rear of vehicle lifted, no dollies in front, no tow tights on car and safety chains not attached to vehicle from tow truck. YOU PAY NOTHING!!

Front Wheel Drive Car: dollies in raised position, rear lifted off ground, no safety chains or tow lights on vehicle. Wrecker Driver MUST release FREE of CHARGE.

THIS IS THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT WRECKER ENFORCEMENT DRIVER LICENSE, YOU NEVER PAY ANY WRECKER DRIVER ANYTHING, IF HE/SHE DOES NOT HAVE THIS VALID LICENSE HANGING ON THEIR SHIRT, OR AROUND THE NECK. IF ANY PERSON IN A TOW TRUCK DEMANDS MONEY TO RELEASE YOUR VEHICLE IN A PARKING LOT AND DOES NOT HAVE THIS EXACT TAG, GET INSIDE YOUR VEHICLE AND CALL 911, BECAUSE YOUR BEING ROBBED, per APD!

Catching the wrecker driver before hitting the public street is very important if your vehicle is READY FOR TRANSPORT, as this vehicle has the tow tights, safety chains attached, waiting to get out gate. At this point, It's $50.00. The Austin City Ordinance allows 30 minutes for a vehicle owner or operator to get the money. Having a friend with you at this stage is better, as they can sit in your vehicle, while you go get the money. It's a known fact, that has soon as a vehicle owner gets out of sight, the wrecker driver will leave with your vehicle.

Catching the wrecker driver before hitting the public street is very important if your vehicle is READY FOR TRANSPORT, as this vehicle has the tow tights, safty chains attached, waiting to get out gate. At this point, It's $50.00. The Austin City Ordinance allows 30 minutes for a vehicle owner or operator to get the money. Having a friend with you at this stage is better, as they can sit in your vehicle, while you go get the money. It's a known fact, that as soon as a vehicle owner gets out of sight, the wrecker driver will leave with your vehicle.

Several local towing companies allow their drivers to drag front wheel drive vehicles from a parking space in order to load the vehicle from the front and not have to use dollies. A perfect example of a vehicle being dragged in this nature, is flat spot left on the tire tread and loud road noise.

There is no onsite drop fee in any parking lot within the City Limits of Austin. If the vehicle is not ready to be towed down the street or freeway, the wrecker driver must release it for free, if they refuse, PLEASE CALL 911 and get inside your vehicle.

If you feel you have been charged an unauthorized fee, have the reciept, you can call 311 or 974-5000 and file an offense report for a WRECKER ORDINANCE VIOLATION. Once you have given the information to the call taker and recieve an offense report number, wait a couple of days, excluding weekends, then call 974-8645 or 8122.

For further information about ILLEGAL TOWING, visit: www.texastowingcompliance.com

I know there are people who have seen their or someone they know, vehicle being towed from an apartment complex, residential parking garage or condoplex late at night.  One has to assume that the towing of a vehicle from your parking lot is being done legally.

But, there is an alarming number of vehicles being stolen on a daily basis and robberies by threat by wrecker drivers. You must take in fact, that not all wrecker drivers are like this, just certain towing companies and a group of wrecker drivers. Many towing companies will have nothing to do with private property impounds simply because of the bad publicity it brings and will not hire convicted felons for the purpose of intimidation, as several local towing companies do.

If your vehicle is towed from a residential complex for an expired inspection or registration sticker and you recieved no US Postal Certified Mail letter from the property manager/owner giving you 10 days to correct or face with being towed, your vehicle was STOLEN. A common practice of placing an bright orange sticker on the windshield does not give a wrecker driver or property manager the legal right to tow a vehicle for these reasons.

If this has happened to you or someone you know after September 1, 2007, you are urged to call the Austin Police Department Wrecker Enforcement Unit at 512-974-8645.

Last Thursday, a senior level manager, Monica Ramos, with Austin Express/Tow Times Wrecker Service was arrested by Austin Police Department Wrecker Enforcement Unit Detectives on a felony warrant (D1DC08300569) for falsifying government documents. Yesterday, an Austin Express/Tow Times wrecker driver was criminally charged for demanding money, when the vehicle owner caught the wrecker driver while hooking up her vehicle in a parking lot, when nothing should have been collected.

It's extremely important to remember, if you catch the wrecker driver within the parking lot hooking up your vehicle, they must release the vehicle for free. If they refuse, call 911 because your being robbed by threats.

The other night, Obama supporter Texas State Senator Kirk Watson was asked to name Obama's legislative accomplishments. He failed to name a single one. Heres a few Obama said he goofed on votes angered fellow Democrats in the Senate when he voted to strip millions of dollars from a child welfare office on Chicago's West Side. But Obama had a ready explanation: He goofed!

Also announced he had fumbled an election-reform vote the day before, on a measure that passed 51 to 6. The next day, he acknowledged voting "present" on a key telecommunications vote. He stood on March 11, 1999, to take back his vote against legislation to end good-behavior credits for certain felons in county jails. "I pressed the wrong button on that," he said. Obama was the lone dissenter on Feb. 24, 2000, against 57 yeas for a ban on human cloning. "I pressed the wrong button by accident," he said.

But two of Obama's bumbles came on more-sensitive topics, he backed legislation to permit riverboat casinos to operate even when the boats were dockside.

The measure, pushed by the gambling industry and fought by church groups whose support Obama was seeking, passed with two "yeas" to spare -- including Obama's. Moments after its passage he rose to say, explaining that he had mistakenly voted for it.

Obama would later develop a reputation as a critic of the gambling industry, and he voted against a similar measure two years later. But he was clearly confused about how to handle the issue at the time of his first vote, telling a church group that he was "undecided" about whether he backed an expansion of riverboat gambling. And, months earlier, he had voted in favor of a version of the bill.

Obama's vote sparked a confrontation after he joined Republicans to block Democrats trying to override a veto by GOP Gov. George Ryan of a $2-million allotment for the west Chicago child welfare office. being responsible," said Sen. Rickey Hendon, accusing Obama of voting to close the child welfare office.Obama replied "I understand Sen. Hendon's anger, I was not aware that I had voted no on that piece of legislation.

He voted against requiring medical care for aborted fetuses who survive. Abortion opponents see Obama's vote on medical care for aborted fetuses as a refusal to protect the helpless. Some have even accused him of supporting infanticide.

Striking similarities between Barack Obama's words and those of Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick during his 2006 election campaign have raised eyebrows and attracted traffic on YouTube.

The stump speech Barack Obama gave in Austin aimed at convincing voters that his campaign is not just about lofty rhetoric — is from Patrick, Obama's campaign acknowledged.

Not to mention the sex and drug scandal that Obama is trying to keep quiet, can this man be trusted to lead our nation? 

Voting for Obama will be a serious mistake.

A microbiologist from New Jersey tested 76 lemons from 21 different restaurants and found that almost 70 percent of them were contaminated with bacteria including fecal bacteria, which can make you very sick.

Only 30-percent had no bacterial growth. Anne LaGrange Loving said the bacteria could have come from a number of sources and may have been on the lemons even before they arrived at the restaurants.

Restaurant workers are supposed to handle lemons with either gloves or tongs..and not with bare hands.. but how many of them actually do that?

And how would you know whether or not they're following the rules?

Lemon Study

69.7% Bacterial Growth (including fecal)
30.3% No Bacterial Growth
Source: Anne LaGrange Loving, M.S., M.(A.S.C.P.)

A deputy looked at him and didn't believe he was a quadriplegic. She walked behind him, took the handles on the back of the hospital-grade wheel chair and dumped it forward throwing the disabled man to the floor.

I feel it is ridiculous to state that HIV negative people should be prosecuted for having unsafe sex. At the end of the day, an HIV positive person who is carrying a virus that does kill - they have a moral and legal obligation to tell all their sexual partners. We all talk aout 'the risk' in unsafe sex; but in real terms 'the risk' is simple dishonesty. If people were honest about their positive status then actually the risk would not be there because you could use protection and thus it wouldn't spread and would burn itself out. If people feel unable to disclose their status because of 'stigma' or public attitude I believe that this is simply a fearful excuse - I personally do not have an issue with HIV positive people - I DO have an issue with dishonesty. HIV and AIDS are NOT an equality issue - they are a health issue. Sort it out.

Watch the video, then leave your comment.