Thread: S.F.: Police Change Policy: Will Cease Towing and Impounding

Police Change Policy: Will Cease Towing and Impounding Cars of Unlicensed Drivers -- Sort Of
By Lauren Smiley in Breaking News, Law & Order
Tue., Oct. 6 2009 @ 6:15PM

​San Francisco is about to get a lot more friendly to unlicensed drivers. After a series of meetings over the last year with immigrants' rights groups and the ACLU, the police are halting their mandatory policy of towing off and impounding cars driven by unlicensed motorists.

The policy change is a big win for undocumented immigrants, since California doesn't issue licenses to people without legal residency. Under the current policy, a routine traffic stop for an undocumented person routinely results in the person losing his or her car, since one must present a license to get the car back. The cars usually end up on the auction block. (We wrote about efforts to change the police's policy here.)

Under the new policy, effective November 1, unlicensed drivers will still be issued a ticket and face a fine. But the unlicensed driver will now be given 20 minutes to get a licensed motorist to drive the car away before the cops call a towing company. If the unlicensed driver doesn't have a cell phone, the San Francisco Police Department's will contact the licensed driver on the unlicensed person's behalf.
The draft of the plan was outlined by Deputy Chief Kevin Cashman of the police department's field operations bureau during the Immigrant Rights Commission meeting Monday night in the Excelsior.

Under the new policy, the police will also tow the vehicle if it's a traffic hazard; if there's a risk of theft or vandalism if the car isn't moved; or if there's a "likelihood" of immediate or continuing illegal operation if the vehicle isn't towed.

After 20 minutes, the cops will call the towing company, but if your designated licensed driver can beat the tow truck to the scene, you're still off the hook. This is beginning to sound a lot like a game show.

There is, incidentally, one disincentive to hopping back into the driver's seat once out of sight of the cops. If the person is busted again within six months for driving without a license, not only will they be subject to another fine, the car will be automatically impounded for 30 days.

Note to the entrepreneurial: We're foreseeing a possible cottage industry that could also benefit here. Why not start a company of licensed drivers able to get anywhere in the city within 20 minutes to drive cars away for a price? A side job for bicycle messengers, perhaps.

Car at Sixth and Mission! Get there, pronto!

http://oneoldvet.com/?p=6845#more-6845

http://blogs.sfweekly.com

well well there is the ACLU once again screwing the american citizen

Cowards. More interested in a future Democratic voter than the safety of the American public.

Under the new policy, effective November 1, unlicensed drivers will still be issued a ticket and face a fine. But the unlicensed driver will now be given 20 minutes to get a licensed motorist to drive the car away before the cops call a towing company. If the unlicensed driver doesn't have a cell phone, the San Francisco Police Department's will contact the licensed driver on the unlicensed person's behalf.

Good grief! Not only does the illegal invader get a free bite at the apple, the tax payers of this state will pick up the tab for the phone call as well!!!!

SF is a perfect example of political correctness gone insane!!!!!

The ACLU has to be stopped!!!!

This is so absurd that its funny.

This is beginning to sound a lot like a game show.

I rarely watch any 'Reality Show' but I'd check this one out.