Victims of vehicle theft already suffer having their property taken from them and damaged or even destroyed. Often, stolen vehicles are recovered when they are illegally parked and left somewhere by the thieves. However, while insurance may cover the cost of damage to the vehicle, it is often the victim that must bear the towing, recovery, and storage costs.
 
That is what happened to Raymond Mason, a Pennsylvanian who was carjacked and run over by his own vehicle. Raymond was in the hospital for over a month recovering from his injuries and, upon being released, learned from law enforcement that his vehicle had been recovered and was being stored on a lot. Raymond was informed that the cost to recover his vehicle from the storage lot would be over $1,000, money that he did not have. After enduring so much, Raymond lost his only means of transportation.
 
Why do we allow victims of vehicle theft to be re-victimized? Demanding money from victims is immoral and predatory. That is why I plan on introducing Raymond Mason’s Law, which would prohibit parking authorities, police departments, towing operators, towing storage facilities, and salvors from charging victims of vehicle theft for vehicle recovery and storage costs.
 
In Pennsylvania, we should always strive for fairness. Financially punishing victims is in direct confrontation with that mission. I hope you will join me in protecting victims across our Commonwealth.