Bell generates big money from towing cars; resident demands investigation

Some community activists in Bell are demanding an independent investigation into complaints that Bell police unfairly towed and impounded cars.

According to Bell budget documents reviewed by The Times on Monday, the city generated at least $652,000 in revenue related to towing cars last fiscal year, which ended June 30. 

The vast majority of that sum -- $574,000 -- was from what the document described as "unlicensed driver release" revenues. It’s unclear exactly where that money came from.

But some Bell residents have complained that police officers have pulled over motorists and towed away their vehicles if the drivers don’t have licenses. Bell has a large immigrant population, including many illegal immigrants.

Residents have also complained about police being too aggressive about towing parked cars.

The city documents show that revenue from the "unlicensed driver release" fee has increased in recent years. In fiscal 2004-05, the fee generated about $450,000.

The documents also make reference to a DUI "cost recovery" generating nearly $447,000 last fiscal year. But it’s unclear whether that revenue was generated by organized DUI checkpoints or routine police patrols. The issue of DUI checkpoints and illegal immigrants has been an issue throughout the state.

People without driver’s licenses often have their cars confiscated, even if they are not drunk. In neighboring Maywood, checkpoints and aggressive towing of parked cars have been an issue in the past. 

Cristina Garcia, a member of the Bell Assn. to Stop the Abuse, said that the city's fees are too high and that an outside entity should look into them. Residents are "paying up to $500 in towing and storage fees," Garcia said. "The impound is something in the range of $350 and the towing is $150."

A former Bell police officer, who filed a wrongful dismissal suit against the city last week, complained to city leaders in 2009 that the Police Department was towing cars to generate revenues. James Corcoran wrote in a letter to an attorney for the city that he could not, "in good faith, support our departmental vehicle impound policy."

"The majority of the vehicles seized by this department are not, in my opinion, a danger to the community care function. I do agree that, should a vehicle qualify as a danger, the impound is justified," he wrote. The documents were included in allegations he made to state and local officials.

-- Ruben Vives and Richard Winton

Comments

[Kittybarfola]

Maywood did the same thing not too long ago. I believed the city council was in on it and made big bucks.

[RLRay]

I have worked many DUI checkpoints for LASD, and the majority of the cars towed are for no driver's license, no registration or no insurance. It is a very big problem all over L A County. It should be a lesson learned and the law is the law, and it applys to everyone.

[Jay]

I finally figured out what "B.E.L.L" stands for! Budget Exhausted by Local Lawmakers. $652,000 from towing cars, really? They need to come up with something more clever than that.

[livgonzales]

This is really sad, stealing from the poor to get a big pension for yourself.

[DaMaverick]

How about James Corcoran to be the new chief of police of Bell? Instead of suing the dept and digging the city into a deeper hole (perhaps even bankruptcy) how about Corcoran take charge of a dept. that he knew was rotten from the top down. Corcoran is the only one who makes any use of the word "conscience."

[R. Castro]

*Over $1,500 To Get Your Car Released*

It seems Professor Garcia has never been impounded in Bell for driving without a license. The Bell Police Fee is $350.00 over $1,500.00 to get your car released from Bell Tow is more accurate. Bell Police enforce a 30 day hold policy.

Ask anyone who has ever been impounded.

[R. Castro]

*Over $1,500 To Get Your Car Released*

It seems Professor Garcia has never been impounded in Bell for driving without a license. The Bell Police Fee is $350.00 over $1,500.00 to get your car released from Bell Tow is more accurate. Bell Police enforce a 30 day hold policy.

Ask anyone who has ever been impounded.

[Way Outsider]

Bell needs someone like Rod Blagojevich, from Illinois, to set things right around there, especially in law enforcement.
Unfortunately, he may not be available for 10-15 years.
Have fun. Hope you all get on The Tonight Show.

[Former Adams Fan]

Where has the Sheriff of Nottingham (Adams) disappeared to? May hiding out with Prince John (Rizzo) at their ranch? You would think you could trust the Chief of Police to be ethical and honest and realize that you can't buy a $100K car for $10K. I think that is called "receiving stolen property". Sounds a lot like receiving $457K for running a 40 person police department not even LAPD's Chief, running 12,000 police officers gets around $300K. That resident is right to demand an investigation!!!!!

[David]

No licence plus no driving equals no getting your car impounded. Seems pretty simple.

[brolu]

Well, let's see...if you follow the law (e.g. have a valid DL) then this issue would not be a problem.

Under 14602.6 VC an officer "shall" take an unlicensed driver's vehicle (btw, it doesn't matter if he/she is or is not the registered owner of the vehicle) for storage for 30 days. So all those people whose cars weren't impounded, you had a guardian angel with you that day.

If I am subjected to these laws, why shouldn't the citizens of Bell. Maybe a better idea would be to follow the law...starting from day 1. Let's not forget that driving is a priviledge not a right! And if for some reason the DMV denies you the issuance of a driver's license, then you either A) can't pass a driving test (er goes, you have no business behind the wheel of a car anyhow) or, 2) you must not have all your ducks in a row.

[James Corcoran]

Predatory government

[Yogi]

I have no problem with taking a car from someone that is driving illegally, but those fees, along with all of the other fees associated with any interaction with "law enforcement" are criminal. The police are now the muscle for the government extortion rackets.

[LATaxpayer]

Official Police Garage (OPG) towing company that works for a city is guaranteed to make money. Anytime the police department needs a vehicle towed, the contracted OPG is called. They win the contracts from the city to work on their behalf for towing and storage services. They need to make money in addition to paying the city's share of the towing/storage fees collected from the motorists. Thats why the impound fees are so high. Now, I don't have a problem with the towing of illegal cars, unlicensed drivers' cars, expired registratrion... etc., but it's the high fee that I do have problems with. In the case of Bell, it wouldn't surprise me if there is a revelation discovered that the City Council people were financially being enriched from the deal.