On March 7, the Santa Barbara County Grand Jury reported that the Santa Maria Police Department (SMPD) maintains appropriate towing practices, despite the controversy it has attracted for its number of impounds.
In July 2011, the jury received complaints from Santa Maria residents claiming that towing and impound practices were unfair and had become “a windfall for the city.”
According to the Grand Jury report, many residents expressed concern that vehicle towing was being “used as a money machine for city coffers and police department revenue.” However, there were also people who complained the process doesn’t do enough to keep unsafe drivers and vehicles off the road.
Additionally, some people felt policy and procedure were not adhered to during the vehicle towing and impound process.
These statements prompted the jury to launch an investigation into the department’s towing policy and procedure. The jury selected three citations spanning a two-month period that included DUI checkpoints, driving with a revoked/suspended license or no license, and illegal parking. According to the report, the jury also interviewed SMPD officials directly involved with enforcing vehicle towing policy and procedure.
In its report, the jury listed suggestions for what citizens can do to avoid having their vehicle towed or impounded.
According to the jury, the city of Santa Maria’s vehicle towing policy is often misunderstood, despite city officials’ efforts to inform the public.
After conducting its investigation, the jury came to the conclusion that the department is following vehicle-towing policy as written. The report also said the department can “be commended for its professional efforts in protecting the driving and pedestrian public.”
This article appears in Mar 22-29, 2012.