Calverton Park is on the hook for a $465,000 federal class-action settlement after residents fought back over years of cars being towed from private driveways and the special tax bills that piled on afterward. The agreement, which still needs a federal judge’s approval, would overhaul local ordinances and create a claims portal for people who say the city’s tow-and-tax routine upended their lives.
What the settlement requires
Under the agreement, the city will set up a $465,000 Settlement Fund that covers payments to class members, attorneys’ fees, settlement administration and service awards. The deal applies to vehicles towed from private property between Sept. 25, 2018, and June 26, 2025, and breaks the money into three main buckets: $259,470 for recovered-vehicle claims, $159,030 for non-recovered vehicles and $46,500 to repay Special Tax Bills. The settlement also forces changes to Calverton Park’s code so an expired or temporary registration by itself cannot label a vehicle a “nuisance,” removes the code enforcement officer from also serving as the hearing officer in tow hearings, and caps any Special Tax Bill at $200. The details are laid out in the Settlement Agreement.
Why residents sued
The lawsuit, filed by ArchCity Defenders, argued that Calverton Park’s towing practices fell hardest on residents with expired tags and stripped them of their transportation, which then made it tougher to earn wages and pay the very taxes tied to the tows. Plaintiffs including Christina Reise recount losing income, facing eviction threats and shelling out thousands of dollars in towing and lien payments after their vehicles were taken. For background and first-hand accounts from the plaintiffs, see ArchCity Defenders.
How to make a claim
Anyone whose vehicle was towed or who paid a Special Tax Bill during the class period can seek compensation by filing a claim at the official settlement website. Claims must be submitted by Sept. 4, 2026, and the notice plan includes direct mail and a posting at City Hall to reach potential class members. A final approval hearing is set for Sept. 18, 2026, and if the court signs off, the settlement administrator will begin mailing payments shortly after the settlement becomes effective. For full details and the claim form, visit www.CalvertonParkClassAction.com.
City response and next steps
FOX 2 reported that City Hall offices were closed on Friday and the station did not receive a response to its requests for comment. The court still has to grant final approval before any money goes out, and residents who think they may qualify are urged to hang on to tow receipts and any proof of payments to the city or tow lot before submitting a claim.
If approved, the settlement will leave Calverton Park with tighter towing rules on private property and a modest fund to reimburse residents who say they were hurt by the old system. The case highlights mounting scrutiny of municipal towing and fee practices in the region while giving affected households a clearer path to seek repayment.
