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LAPD to Give Illegals a Break, Allow Licensed Driver to Take Cars in Place of Impounds

Categories: City News

Thumbnail image for opg tow robert s donovan.JPG
Robert S. Donovan
A tow.
Updated after the jump with a thumbs-up from L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Activist Ron Kaye blasts the change.

The LAPD over the weekend changed its policy on impounding cars of unlicensed drivers, stating that a licensed registered owner or nearby companion could drive them off.

The change was made after critics accused the department of unfairly taking cars of illegal immigrants -- who can't get a license in California -- and setting up DUI checkpoints in neighborhoods where undocumenteds reside.

It hasn't been bad for city business. Over the weekend some pro-immigrant activists called for ...

... the L.A. County Sheriff's Department to follow the LAPD's lead. Other departments, including San Francisco's, have made similar changes.

Chief Charlie Beck was scheduled to speak about the change at a press conference this morning.

DUI checkpoints nab plenty of un-drunk but unlicensed drivers, who aren't supposed to be behind the wheel. That has triggered tows and mandatory 30-day impounds that can cost more to bail out cars than they're sometimes worth.

Illegals often simply just end up without their rides. (The impound yards end up selling the cars after a certain period).

Of course, some anti-illegal-immigrant activists are pissed. No special breaks for law-breakers, they say.

Update: Political activist and blogger Ron Kaye blasted the move, arguing that the LAPD shouldn't be weighing in on the stupidity of U.S. immigration enforcement via department policy.

He asks this:

Are we really better off with a vast hidden class of identity-less people than having rational standards for who can come to this country and live with the same legal protections and responsibilities as everyone else?

Mayor Villaraigosa, however, was clearly proud of the change:

The LAPD's improved impound policy will preserve the safety of the community while also ensuring that the law is applied fairly to every Angeleno. Chief Beck is a stalwart advocate for constitutional policing, who has tirelessly searched for new methods to protect the welfare and the rights of every resident of our great city. I am proud of his leadership on this issue as well as his willingness to evaluate his own department's ability to pursue the highest degree of justice.

First posted at 9:42 a.m.

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Jeannette
Jeannette

I am thoroughly disgusted with California and I'm sure it's everywhere in our USA on "giving these illegals non-documented Free loaders a BREAK"?????? you have got to be kidding!  They have already the whole enchilada since they've been slithering thru our ONCE "by the law" country.......This is just so political! also the only ones I see without a car standing on street corners with 1/2 doz or more children are the women while their children's fathers are driving new shiny rigs with chrome tires........

Ceebob
Ceebob

What in the Hell is wrong with THEM,,,just let US law abiding drivers etc, do it and see what happens,,,I;m so tired of the goverment screwing us and kissing their butts...where are their heads and common sence,,,OH yea that's right the goverment doesn't have any -!!!!!! We get screwed bad and the illegals who violate our laws get respect...

zeke
zeke

Bad call mayor.We citizens deserve better protection against illegal drivers

Lightnapper
Lightnapper

LAPD Special Order 40-- won't ask your immigration/citizenship status during an investigation, consensual stop, detention, or arrest-- on the theory that otherwise "fearful of the government" witnesses to crime will spontaneously emerge and do the right thing, was step number one in the LAPD's and Los Angeles' "non-legal" resident entitlement process. And it has been in effect for a very long while. Except, as everyone with half-a-brain knows:

1) In their countries, the police are so corrupt, they fear them like none other. They avoid the police like the plague. So, despite geographical relocation, deeply ingrained cultural bais is almost always in play. The human psyche is a tough nut to crack.

2) In America, and in particular the LA area, gangs are powerfully entrenched, and basically operating openly and freely without too much fear regarding police enforcement; and, they have proved countless times that they will hunt you down and intimidate, retaliate, and even kill you or your family members if you so much as whisper a word to their mortal enemy about their unlawful conduct-- that would be the police-- who obviously couldn't protect the first victim(s), so how are they going to protect you-- the helpful witness?

This fact of course creates a dilemma, Other than under certain strict legal parameters, the helpful witness is not even allowed to protect themselves. Say you are walking down the sidewalk on the way to Sunday Mass firmly believing in the power of the American Justice system and a car full of "Vatos" whip out their "Gats" and take aim. What to do? Not too many people have concealed weapon's permits in LA County. Unless of course you are politically important or a cop. Who are they saying Mass for now? You don't think a people who are smart enough to get to America and to stay in America are that dumb now, do you? How many City Council rewards for murder have actually been collected by these "status-free" immigrants, or for that matter, any of the "good citizens" of LA? Not as many as police reports for witness intimidation I would bet. Consequently, Specail Order 40 merely gives a sense of freedom to the people it protects to walk the streets unmolested by LAPD while breaking Federal laws by being here illegally to begin with. Not that I am opposed to walking, swimming, flying, boating, or trucking across a river, ocean, or porously open NAFTA border to secure resources to survive and to make a better life. Let's just not lie about it.

However, as with all social welfare programs, and this is exactly what "turning a blind eye" to illegal immigration is, it is rift with pitfalls, one being the tenant of: "WAAA-- give me more!" So, as I see it, what this newest, little mandate of Beck's inherited, nepotistic, "True Blue" law enforcement fiefdom does is just add one more perk to an already petty criminal's arsenal of entitlement. They-- the fortuntely entitled-- can do whatever they want, and it's ok. Drive without a license-- which also means uninsured and without proper registration-- (which is in effect tax evasion)-- and instead of corrective behavior modification in the form of financial punishment, which is what a ticket and vehicle impoundment really is, forget about it! We as good and proper upstanding American citizens don't want to place a financial hardship upon you, the unlicensed and ininsured, because you deceived all the financially and legally responsible drivers; monetarily cheated an obviously failing California economic system; broke the law of the land-- voted on an passed by a majority of legal citizens; were morally irresponsible (that's the lying part)-- and, you broke a basic social contract-- "Don't Tread On Me!"

Unlicensed driver's are dangerous and a traffic hazard, as in no testing or training. So, we the tested, trained, and insured must pay the difference in our licensing and registration fees, and in our higher insurance premiums (uninsured motorist coverage). This last "legal extortion" to ensure that at least we can get a paid ride to the hospital in an LAFD ambulance when an unlicensed driver appears out of nowhere and broadsides us. And trust me, the city may not send the bill to them for an impounded car, because they didn't want to create a financial hardship for a scofflaw, but they will certainly send the responsible licensed driver a bill for that "Code 3" LAFD chariot ride to the hospital. Welcome to LA.

Robert
Robert

Let me see if I get this straight. Chief Beck changed the vehicle impound policy because he feels sorry for the illegals who know they shouldn't be driving without a license or insurance or a valid ID. Instead of enforcing the State LAW Beck is turning a blind eye because he has feelings. Beck is a sissy and his personal emotions have no room to change public policy. I don't see the CHP or any local law enforcement agency being sissies and feeling sorry for illegals.Have you seen the money they spend on Quincerera's? They have tio and tia's helping foot the bill for $30,000 so lil mejia can have her sweet 16.. Take a drive to Hollenbeck Park and see all the Hummer limos the illegals hire at $300 per hour. Beck is an idiot. His own officers and command are pissed and can't say a word or else. LAPD is a dictatorship with Beck just like Parks. If the economy wasn't so bad I would guarantee officers would leave just like they did with Parks.Where's the Political Protective League who officers pay over $6 million in dues and their support for the rank and file. Oh, I forgot they just spent over $150,000 on a retreat for themselves this past weekend. Poor cops are screwed all around

Daliewing
Daliewing

What's a "mejia"?

Robert
Robert

mejia for a girl or mejio for a boy means my little angel or my little darling. Its a term of endearment

nexus
nexus

Great.. just great. I EAGERLY await the first illegal who's stopped, let go, and THEN DUI crashes and kills someone... like LAPD doesn't have ENOUGH pending lawsuits.. and THIS one they will lose big.. can YOU say "deleriction of duty"? I knew ya could.

Mbflys
Mbflys

Dimwit... in that case stop selling alcohol

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