Thread: Law Targeting Unlicensed Drivers Causes Controversy & Co

Law Targeting Unlicensed Drivers Causes Controversy & Concern

Last Edited: Thursday, 14 Aug 2008, 6:52 AM MDT
Created: Thursday, 14 Aug 2008, 6:45 AM MDT

DENVER (MyFOXColorado.com) - Denver voters passed Initiative 100 earlier this week, and it’s something that has raised a lot of controversy, questions and eyebrows. Proponents of the new law are now talking about taking it statewide.

It’s a citizen initiative that requires Denver police to impound cars driven by people who do not have a valid driver’s license. It specifically mentions illegal immigrants, since they cannot get a valid license in Colorado.

If someone who has a valid license is pulled over, but they do not have their license with them, that does not mean their car will be impounded. People in those cases will most likely get a ticket, but they will have three days to show proof that they have a valid license.

People in favor of the law say it is intended to keep uninsured, unlicensed drivers off of the road. People opposed to it have been clear from the start that they believe it’s simply a new law that unfairly targets illegal immigrants who can’t get licenses, and it will lead to more racial profiling.

Paul Lopez, Denver City Councilman from District 1, said the law does unfairly target Latino neighborhoods and communities of color. He also said it creates a drain on the city's resources.

Denver voters approved the ordinance by 54 percent to 46 percent.

Denver city officials don’t know how much it will cost to enforce the law. Mayor John Hickenlooper publicly opposed the law. He expressed concern about overflow at impound lots and wondered about other costs associated with implementation of the new law.

Other city officials such as deputy safety manager Mel Thompson said the city could lose revenue as a result of officers waiting for tows rather than issuing traffic tickets.

Because of the public opposition, proponents of Initiative 100 indicated they were a little surprised when it passed on Tuesday. “We get to raise our eyebrow a little bit,â€

He said it also creates a drain on the city's resources.

I don't see how that can be because many of the individuals having their cars impounded will never come forward to claim them. Those cars will eventually end up being sold at auction. Sounds like the program pays for itself.

Paul Lopez, Denver City Councilman from District 1, said the law does unfairly target Latino neighborhoods and communities of color. He also said it creates a drain on the city's resources.

Let me tell you about a drain on MY resources when I have to pay my deductible after an illegal, unlicensed, uninsured driver hits my car and takes off.

[quote]He expressed concern about overflow at impound lots and wondered about other costs associated with implementation of the new law.[quote]
With the money they'ld make from tickets and impounding , i just gotta scratch me head and wonder "Where do these has-beens come from ?"
If they , our elected officials keep up with this gammer school view of things . I think i'll just drop my very expensive auto insurance and drive like they do. OBL groups should be deported in my view . Their Anti-Constitutional views stinks of Communism (we want we want and to hell with you).
You want to drive you shouldn't have broke the law to come here. You can drive your little butts off in South America .

Related Threads at
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-127786.html

http://www.alipac.us/ftopic-127868-0.html

It will cost people $2,500 plus another $100 fee to get their cars out of impound

.

Finally a program that makes some economic sense. Most of our law enforcement just ends up costing citizens more---so, good people are paying both ways. In the enforcement of other laws some may argue that fines will not be a deterrent---but how else will communities pay the final bill?

Denver city officials don’t know how much it will cost to enforce the law. Mayor John Hickenlooper publicly opposed the law. He expressed concern about overflow at impound lots and wondered about other costs associated with implementation of the new law.

Other city officials such as deputy safety manager Mel Thompson said the city could lose revenue as a result of officers waiting for tows rather than issuing traffic tickets.

Could lose revenue? Who are they kidding? This would actually be a win/win for both city coffers and towing companies. The tow yard next to our salvage yard auctions "unclaimed" vehicles 3 to 4 time a year and makes a killing each and every time. In this case the city could collect that revenue AND the streets would be safer for those driving LEGALLY.

People in favor of the law say it is intended to keep uninsured, unlicensed drivers off of the road. People opposed to it have been clear from the start that they believe it’s simply a new law that unfairly targets illegal immigrants who can’t get licenses, and it will lead to more racial profiling.

HUH? How is the law "unfair"? Illegal aliens are criminals and should be targeted and removed! Driving without a license is also a crime, one that Americans get punished for every day. It's NOT OK for illegal aliens to drive in the US..DUH!

Paul Lopez, Denver City Councilman from District 1, said the law does unfairly target Latino neighborhoods and communities of color. He also said it creates a drain on the city's resources.

The new law targets those who CHOOSE to drive without a license! If
"communities of color" feel it's ok to operate an automobile without a license, then perhaps they will have a problem!

I'm sick and tired of living in a fragmented society in which we operate under two sets of laws! One set for for those who obey the law and are in this country legally. And another set for those who are here illegally and choose to ignore the law! Those in the latter and their supporters want to keep it that way!

A 54%/46% vote does not bode well for the law. It is my bet that there was a lot of fraudulent voting or possibly some misplaced compassion too. Most issues dealing with illegal immigration , locally and nationally come out to about 76%/34%.

An attitude that says--Do not take a vehicle from someone of my ethnic group is not an American attitude. An American attitude is "let's live by the rule of law and if it takes imprisonment or impounding, then we must do it".