Disclaimer: The account shared above reflects my personal experience and perspective regarding an incident that occurred at the Edgewater Recycling Center and subsequent interactions with Edgewater Towing and the Edgewater Police Department. All statements are based on firsthand observations, communications, and advice received from legal counsel. This post is intended to raise awareness and encourage community dialogue—not to accuse any individual or organization of criminal wrongdoing.
I acknowledge that towing policies, signage requirements, and law enforcement procedures may vary, and I encourage readers to review Florida Statute 715.07 and consult legal professionals for guidance on their specific situations. The opinions expressed are my own and do not represent any official legal determination or judgment.
This post is shared in good faith to help prevent similar experiences for others in our community and to promote transparency, accountability, and informed citizenship.
In a troubling incident that has sparked concern across Edgewater, a longtime Resident is speaking out after his truck was towed under questionable circumstances from the city’s Recycling Center on Park Avenue. The event, which unfolded less than a month ago, has raised serious questions about towing practices, signage compliance, and the responsiveness of local law enforcement.
According to the resident, he arrived at the Recycling Center roughly 30 minutes before closing time. After completing his visit, he discovered his truck wouldn’t start due to a dead battery. He asked the on-site staff for a jump start, but was told they didn’t have time, as they were closing in 20 minutes. Instead, the staff—under instruction from the center’s owner—dragged his truck outside the gate and off to the side of the road to clear the entrance.
The resident explained that his wife would be off work in about an hour and could come to help jump the vehicle. The staff agreed. But when he returned with his wife, the truck was gone.
Unbeknownst to him, the same employee who had helped move the truck had also called Edgewater Towing—a company reportedly contracted by both the Recycling Center and the Edgewater Police Department. The truck had been towed without warning, and without any visible signage indicating towing policies or contact information.
Under Florida Statute 715.07, businesses must post tow-away zone signs that meet strict requirements: they must be of a specific size and color, include the towing company’s contact information, and be placed every 25 feet along the property’s frontage. The resident documented the scene with photos, showing only one small sign that read, “Smile, you’re on camera.” No tow-away signage was present.
After calling the Edgewater Police Department, he was initially told they had no information. Forty minutes later, they confirmed the truck had been towed. At Edgewater Towing, he was told the fee was $350, which would increase to $400 the next morning and continue rising daily. He was also warned that failure to pay could result in a lien on his vehicle registration, preventing him from registering any vehicle in his name until the debt was cleared.
Feeling blindsided, the resident contacted a longtime friend and attorney at Taylor & Taylor in St. Augustine. After reviewing the photos and details, the attorney advised him to file a police report, citing clear violations of Florida towing laws. However, when he returned to the Edgewater Police Department, he was met with resistance. After speaking with three deputies and one sergeant, all insisted that no crime had occurred and that towing disputes were strictly civil matters.
The resident then contacted the State Attorney’s Office, which contradicted the police department’s stance. The state attorney confirmed that laws can be broken by both the towing company and the party who authorized the tow, especially when proper signage and procedures are not followed. He was advised to escalate the matter and speak directly with a police sergeant.
Despite this, the sergeant reiterated that no crime had occurred, stating he had read the statute multiple times and saw no violation. When the resident pointed out that unauthorized towing without proper signage is a legal offense, the sergeant dismissed the claim and ended the conversation.
The resident emphasizes that this isn’t a personal attack—it’s a public warning. He reviewed Google reviews for Edgewater Towing and the Recycling Center and found multiple complaints describing similar experiences: vehicles towed without notice, excessive fees, and lack of signage. He believes this pattern reflects either a systemic lack of knowledge or what many refer to as the “good old boy system”—a network of informal protection and favoritism among local entities.
“If this isn’t corruption, it’s ignorance. Either way, it’s unacceptable,” he said. “I’ve lived in Edgewater for many years and always respected our police department. But when four officers refuse to take a simple report, it’s hard not to question who they’re protecting.”
He’s now urging fellow residents to:
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Know their rights under Florida’s towing laws
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Document any incidents with photos and timestamps
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Demand transparency from local businesses and law enforcement
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Share their stories to prevent others from being taken advantage of
📸 The resident has posted photos of the property, the lack of signage, and legal references provided by his attorney. 🗣️ He invites others to speak up and help protect the integrity of Edgewater.
This story is a reminder that accountability starts with awareness—and that even in small towns, citizens must remain vigilant.
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