AURORA MIGHT IMPOUND MORE SUSPECTS' CARS

The Aurora City Council on Tuesday is expected to add possession of drug
paraphernalia to the list of criminal offenses for which vehicles can be
impounded.

Under the new measure, if a suspect is arrested inside a vehicle for the
offense, the owner would have to pay $500, or post $500 bond, to retrieve
the vehicle. In addition, the suspect would have to pay towing fees of $75
a vehicle and $15-a-day storage costs.

If the person is convicted of the offense, the $500 bond or payment would
be forfeited.

The council has placed the measure on its consent agenda. The measure would
add to a long list of offenses for which vehicles can be impounded.

They include violation of the city noise and curfew ordinances, as well as
possession of open alcohol, offenses for which the impoundment fee is $250.
Impoundment fees of $500 are levied for crimes involving drugs, weapons,
violence or prostitution.

Ald. Ken Hinterlong, chairman of the Government Operations Committee, said
his committee proposed the change at the request of police.