Should City Get Into Vehicle Impoundment Business?

A proposed new ordinance would pave the way for New Port Richey to set up its own vehicle impoundment program if City Council members give the ordinance the final green light.

Council members gave the ordinance initial approval Tuesday. It was the first of two votes needed to pass the ordinance. That second vote is scheduled for June 18.

The ordinance is modeled after a Port Richey vehicle impoundment ordinance.

Interim New Port Richey Police Chief Kim Bogart said it has come to his attention that Port Richey has been “very successful” in using its impound program to generate revenue and improve enforcements. He said Port Richey’s program generated $100,000 last year.

He said he doesn’t intend to implement the impound program immediately, but that with New Port Richey considering a special magistrate program, getting the impound ordinance in place made sense.

He is eyeing a property where vehicles could be stored.  

Under the proposed ordinance, a reasons vehicle can be impuounded include if it is used in connection to a crime or is a danger to the public.

Chopper Davis expressed enthusiasm about the proposed ordinance.

“The quicker you can get it rolling and get it going, I’m behind you,” he said.

The impoundment ordinance was just one of several measures New Port Richey City Council members looked at recently. Catch up on some of the other actions taken in the stories below.

• Proposed Ordinance Targets Nuisance Properties

• Vendors Could Do Business in City Parks Under Proposed Change

• Special Magistrate Plan Gets Initial Thumbs Up