DRIVERS CARRYING DRUGS, GUNS COULD FORFEIT THEIR VEHICLES

PARK CITY -- The Park City City Council took its first look Thursday
night at a proposed ordinance that would give police the authority to
confiscate vehicles used to transport or store illegal drugs or firearms.

Aldermen were generally in favor of the plan, which could be a major
deterrent to people who want to bring illegal drugs or firearms into
the city, they said.

Under the proposed ordinance, police would be able to confiscate
vehicles just for having illegal drugs or firearms in them even if the
only other crime committed was, for example, a traffic violation.

Drivers whose vehicles are confiscated would be required to pay a $500
fine plus towing and storage charges to get them back, said Mayor
Robert Allen.

"That would make you think twice about bringing dangerous things into
our town," Allen said.

If vehicle owners don't pay the fine, the city would be entitled to
sell their vehicles and keep the money, Allen said.