Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Impoundment fees - $100,000/yr. pace!!!

I've written before about Woodstock's new vehicle impoundment fees, and I've wondered how many tickets have been written by the Woodstock Police Department officers, since the new ordinance was quietly enacted in January. Today I found out, just by reading the PD's report in the May 15th City Council packet.

The Woodstock City Council had a letter from Chief Lowen (obviously prepared by legal staff) in its City Council packet in January. That letter was dated January 3, 2012, and quickly followed an effective date (January 1,  2012) of a change in State law which allowed a small city, like Woodstock, to enact such a law. Was Woodstock ready to pounce? You bet.

Chief Lowen estimated that his officers would impound 50 vehicles per year. At a $500 impoundment fine, that would generate $25,000 for the City. The fine is collected in the Woodstock Administrative Adjudication Court, not in McHenry County Circuit Court. Fifty (50) vehicles at $500 each equals $25,000.

How is the P.D. doing as a profit center for the City of Woodstock?

In its April 2012 report to the City Manager (and City Council) the Woodstock Police Department reported $10,000 collected in fines in the month of April alone, and $28,500 in fines year-to-date.

The pace? Over $100,000 per year!!! A far cry above Chief Lowen's estimate of $25,000.

This is money sucked out of the public unnecessarily. Add to that total the towing fees and daily storage fees. Money that could be spent in Woodstock businesses. Keeping Woodstock businesses open  (besides the towing companies). Instead, it will deprive Woodstock businesses of that revenue and drive business out of Woodstock.

Residents and business owners should pounce on the mayor and the City Council and demand that they rescind this ordinance.

Who came up with that brilliant idea? The police chief? Not likely. The finance director of the city? Maybe. The city manager? Maybe. The city's law firm? Most likely?

Is anyone else upset with the police-state mentality that has come to Woodstock? Am I the only one who cares? Write to the police chief, the city manager, the mayor, members of the city council and send me a copy. Here are the addresses:

rlowen@woodstockil.gov, citymanager@woodstockil.gov, mayor@woodstockil.gov, mlarson@woodstockil.gov, rthompson@woodstockil.gov, jdillon@woodstockil.gov, mturner@woodstockil.gov, rahrens@woodstockil.gov, msaladin@woodstockil.gov, gus@woodstockadvocate.com,

5 comments:

Know better said...

I think its a great idea. Make the people who break the law pay. Cool.

Gus said...

Know better, this ordinance forces people who are ACCUSED of breaking the law to pay. And pay in advance - well in advance of being found guilty, should they be so found.

Gus said...

I would like to know what Woodstock Police officers think of this Vehicle Impoundment ordinance. If you are an officer of Woodstock PD, I invite you to contact me confidentially (phone, email, mail, carrier pigeon, balloon drop; your choice.

If you let me know your name or if we already know each other, I guarantee confidentiality.

Previously, I have not accused police of being a revenue arm of a city. I viewed the writing of tickets to violators as appropriate enforcement.

This ordinance changes things. Police officers are now forced to act as revenue generators for the city. $10,000 worth in April.

I understand the politics. The City Council enacts an ordinance. The City Manager will see that it is followed or lose his job.

The Police Chief will see that it is followed, or he will lose his job.

The police officers, at the bottom of the proverbial hill down which the _ _ _ _ rolls, will follow orders or lose their jobs.

Officers and deputies have found that I will not reveal their identities. If you aren't sure about this, ask around.

Unknown said...

Gus,
I am a retired Deputy Sheriff from Will County and currently work part time for another agency in Will County. This town has an ordinance like Woodstock's. I don't believe these ordinances have any effect on crime. They are money grabs, pure and simple. One of the worst parts of this extortion is that even if your are innocent of the charge that prompted the impoundment, you still have to pay. I have been thinking of buying a $500.00 clunker and if I get hosed by this nonsense I'll let them keep the car. Keep plugging up there Gus.

Gus said...

Michael, thanks for your comment. I agree that the impoundment ordinance does nothing to reduce crime. I might look into the cost of a billboard ad here with something like, "Break our laws and we will snatch your car. For $500 + $150 + $40, you can have it back. Courtesy of your friendly Woodstock City Council."