LAPD limits impounding of unlicensed drivers' cars
By Joel Rubin and Ari Bloomekatz, Los Angeles Times
March 12, 2011
Under criticism that it was unfairly targeting undocumented immigrants, the Los Angeles Police Department on Friday announced changes to its rules for impounding cars of unlicensed drivers at sobriety checkpoints.
Previously, LAPD officers at such checkpoints followed stringent protocols that called for them to impound a car whenever the driver was found not to have a valid license, regardless of whether the driver had been drinking.
Those rules have drawn the ire of immigration advocacy groups that said they disproportionately targeted undocumented immigrants, who are not able to obtain licenses legally in nearly all U.S. states. Once a vehicle is impounded, law enforcement agencies often require it to remain locked up for at least a month and charge the owner hefty fees to release it.
Fair Towing Policies
LA Voice Offices: 760 South Westmoreland Ave., Suite 336, Los Angeles, CA 90005 P. (213) 384-7404 F. (213) 384-7862
LA Voice leader Maria Rangel gives testimony in support of the LAPD’s decision to enforce fair towing policies on vulnerable communities in Los Angeles.
El decomiso de autos ha sido un negocio lucrativo para la Policía de varias ciudades del condado angelino.
Carlos Avilés
Avalan nuevas reglas para confiscar autos
Personas sin licencia de conducir podrían tener la opción de que su vehículo no sea incautado por agentes del LAPD
Frank Stoltze of KPCC interviewed LA Voice leaders at LAPD Chief Beck’s press conference to announce new towing policy.
Pressure grows for revising policies on towing unlicensed drivers' cars
Los Angeles is just the latest city to alter policies on impounding cars in response to complaints from immigrant rights advocates, who are now pressing the state and L.A. County to do the same.
March 13, 2011 | By Paloma Esquivel, Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles police last week joined a growing list of law enforcement agencies across the state in changing policies for impounding vehicles of unlicensed drivers, a shift prompted by complaints that illegal immigrants were being unfairly targeted at DUI checkpoints.
For years, activists and some city officials have charged that police are increasingly punishing illegal immigrants who cannot get driver's licenses by towing and sometimes impounding their cars for 30 days. Once a car is impounded, fees to release the vehicles can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
No Visa, No License, No Towing:
LAPD Changes Its Policy
In response to complaints that undocumented immigrants were being unfairly targeted, the Los Angeles Police Department is changing a policy that called for impounding the cars of drivers who could not produce a driver's license.
LAPD eases impound rules after immigrant criticism
Police said they are changing rules for impounding cars of unlicensed drivers at sobriety checkpoints, after criticism that the department was targeting illegal immigrants.
LAPD Won't Impound Cars Of Unlicensed Drivers Caught At DUI Checkpoints
Dan Watson | March 14, 2011
Senior Staff Reporter
Leticia Galvan remembers how helpless she felt the day she watched one of her family member’s cars get impounded, leaving two frightened children without a ride to school.
Executive Director Zach Hoover shares LA Voice’s position on towing policy over the holidays with Fox News.
Villaraigosa y jefe del LAPD son honrados por la organización LA Voice
Virginia Gaglianone
Dan gracias por cambio en plan de decomiso
Villaraigosa y jefe del LAPD son honrados por la organización LA Voice
News Coverage on Impound Policy 2011
News Coverage on Impound Policy 2012
