San Bernardino police tow policy said unfair to poor, minorities

Inland Congregations United for Change (ICUC), January 19, 2010, The Press-Enterprise

Religious leaders Saturday called on the San Bernardino Police Department to revise its vehicle impound policies, saying in a report that the majority of people who have vehicles towed are poor and unable to afford the steep fees to get their cars back.

Organizers for the Inland Congregations United for Change cited the group's research when presenting San Bernardino Police Chief Keith Kilmer with the report at a public meeting at St. Bernardine Catholic Church attended by more than 120 people.

The organization spent a year studying the issue, having met with local and regional officials and legal experts and interviewed 300 families before reaching its conclusions and offering recommendations.

Kilmer said he was aware of the issues mentioned in the report.

"I think there's some room to work with them," Kilmer said prior to the meeting.

In its report, the group said more than 9,600 cars were impounded in San Bernardino in 2007, with many being because the driver did not possess a valid driver's license.

Once towed, the cost for getting a vehicle out of impound after 30 days -- the length for which nearly all cars are impounded -- is between $1,500 and $2,000, according to the report. Many of those affected are poor or minority residents.

The recommendations presented to Kilmer suggest that the Police Department adopt a policy to store or impound a vehicle only if it presents a safety hazard and the driver cannot arrange to have it released to another licensed driver.

The organization also wants the Police Department to adopt policies that prohibit officers from stopping a vehicle if the driver is suspected of being unlicensed and stop conducting checkpoints to identify unlicensed drivers.

"People need to know there's a law that requires them to have a license," Kilmer said.

Officers also should allow the driver to make a telephone call before leaving him or her alone without a vehicle and should ensure that the driver is taken to a safe location to await help, according to the report.

Reach Gene Ghiotto at 951-375-3729 or gghiotto@PE.com