Proposed changes in vehicle impounds on Colorado Springs City Council agenda Monday
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) wants to amend the city's policy for towing and storing vehicles at its impound lot, to allow private towing companies to assume much of that responsibility.
CSPD is seeking a change because it averages around 1,200 vehicles monthly at its lot on Las Vegas Street, and takes in another 400 monthly; the vehicles are evidence in crimes, recovered stolen vehicles, or abandoned vehicles with no connection to a crime.
Police say that the influx of abandoned vehicles takes up valuable space on the lot and requires too much time for impound staff to process vehicles that are not considered evidence in crimes.
CSPD's proposal is to hire private towing companies to store vehicles on their own lots and collect fees as allowed by the state; those companies would send notices to vehicle owners lien holders, informing them of their right to a hearing to dispute the towing and impoundment.
Also included in the proposal is allowing towing vendors to sell unclaimed vehicles and to distribute proceeds as the city directs.
Police also would officially allow Neighborhood Services to assume the responsibility for towing abandoned vehicles and waiving fees for drivers uninvolved in the reason for towing; some of that enforcement began last year.
CSPD says that most law enforcement agencies in the state already have similar policies in place; a presentation to the City Council at a Monday work session stated: "Police department should be out of the towing business, except for evidence & stolen vehicles."
Police believe that the proposed policy change would reduce the monthly number of vehicles on the impound lot, including RVs, trailers, and motorcycles, by nearly 300.
If approved by the Council, the changes would be effective for a yearlong trial period; the Council will vote on the proposal in two weeks.
Commander John Koch, of the CSPD, says that the impound lot was expanded a few years ago.
"We came up against a number of things that limited our ability to expand that lot north," he explained. "There were property line issues, water runoff issues, how we'd have to surface and provide pavement, and a number of things that really led us to say that we don't believe this is a viable option because of the barriers that we're facing. So, let's just see if we can find another way."
Some Council members have questions about details of the proposal.
"Should the city be making money off of vehicles that we seize?" asked Councilman Dave Donelson. "No one claims them, then we sell them and keep the money."
Councilman David Leinweber added: "I know there can be abuse in this area. What will you do to see that we don't go down this road and open the door to corruption?"
