Activist pushes to seize more cars
Effort to punish unlicensed drivers stems from crash
By Berny Morson, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published October 16, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.
Photo by Ken Papaleo / The Rocky
Dan Hayes stands at the scene of a deadly September car crash that was allegedly caused by a driver with an expired license. Hayes wants Aurora police to impound unlicensed drivers' vehicles.
A charter amendment requiring police to impound vehicles driven by unlicensed drivers could land on the Aurora ballot next year.
Daniel Hayes was the author of a similar amendment approved by Denver voters in August. The measure is aimed at people living in the United States illegally.
Hayes said he chose to place the proposal before Aurora voters after an illegal immigrant killed two women and a toddler when the Chevy Suburban he was driving crashed into an ice cream shop at Mississippi Avenue and Havana Street on Sept. 4.
Hayes said safety is the issue.
"You're in danger from every car that's driven around by someone without a license," he said.
The Denver measure specifically names illegal immigrants. The Aurora version refers only to unlicensed drivers. Under both cities' versions, police may waive impoundment for motorists with another valid form of identification. The violator is still to be ticketed for driving without a license.
Hayes said he plans to submit the text and title of the ballot item to the city clerk later this week.
If the measure wins legal approval from the city, Hayes will have 120 days to gather 5,278 signatures, said city spokeswoman Lori Mackenzie.
Such measures usually appear on the next city election ballot, which will be Nov. 3, 2009, Mackenzie said, but Hayes could request a special election.
Hayes, who lives in unincorporated Jefferson County, will need an Aurora resident to head the petition drive to put the proposal on the ballot. He would like to tap a relative of one of the victims of the ice cream shop accident but has not yet made any contacts.
Hayes sees immigration as part of a larger problem he has fought for years: population growth. He led a successful drive to limit growth in Golden in 1995.
"They build the houses," he said of the immigrants.
A Colorado native, Hayes believes growth has hurt the environment.
"I saw all this wildlife die," said Hayes, who is in rental housing. "I haven't seen a horned toad in years."
Denver ordinance could go to court
The Denver ordinance, called Initiative 100, on the city's Aug. 12 election ballot requires police to impound the car of any unlicensed driver who cannot prove citizenship.
The Denver city attorney held in September that police have wide latitude in deciding whether to impound a vehicle.
Daniel Hayes, who led the movement to pass Initiative 100, said backers are still in negotiations with the city attorney.
"We're going to talk to them first and see if we can get them to agree to enforce it. If not, we'll go to court," Hayes said.
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October 16, 2008
1:28 a.m.
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jrhino writes:
I look forward to helping gather signatures for this ordinance. The Aurora City council could save citizens a lot of time and effort by enacting the ordinace.
Thanks Dan
October 16, 2008
4:53 a.m.
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vicster1962 writes:
Good job Dan..I would personally head up your petition drive if I only lived in Aurora.I can't wait to see all of the unreasonable obstacles the Liberal Aurora City Council puts up,good luck.
October 16, 2008
6:52 a.m.
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VVVV writes:
Yeah let's limit growth during a recession. Let's cash in our future and the future of our children for horned toads. While we're at it we can have our houses reappraised at highly inflated values and live off of home equity loans based on nothing for years. All we have to do is create a shortage of supply and Golden could become the next Orange County.
Just hope that you don't own a house where they might want to put a road, lightrail development community (with Starbucks), or just some whim of a government contractor. The precident of illegal seizure of private property is a slippery slope that once you get started, there's no telling what they'll confiscate for the "greater good". As long as your back yard is well protected, I'm sure you've got nothing to worry about. Maybe raise some horned toads there and the government won't be able to touch it.
October 16, 2008
6:54 a.m.
Suggest removal
campesino60 writes:
Like inititive 100 this charter amendment if passed will be turned over to the city attorney for Aurora and put on the back burner.
Votes only count when it serves in the best interest of government
October 16, 2008
7:17 a.m.
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sheepherder writes:
Ummmm, Aurora already tows the cars of unlicensed drivers...somebody may want to advise Dan of that.
October 16, 2008
7:28 a.m.
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cowboy69 writes:
Mr. Hayes, please check off with Govenor Ritter. He claims Colorado has the most stringent immigration enforcement in America. However, there is not a day that goes by that we don't have another tragic incident involving someone that is in this country illegally.
October 16, 2008
7:40 a.m.
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infidel91 writes:
<sarcasm> Just what we need right now -- an angry old misanthrope with too much time on his hands. </sarcasm>
And shame on him for trying to exploit a tragedy to further his little horned toad agenda.
October 16, 2008
7:49 a.m.
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Heidi writes:
sheepherder,
What does Aurora do with those vehicles?
October 16, 2008
7:50 a.m.
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Dick_Tater writes:
I've been wanting to pick up a low rider at the police auction.
October 16, 2008
7:59 a.m.
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sheepherder writes:
Heidi, they go to police impound. They can be released if the person picking it up presents a valid license, registration, and insurance. Not the best system, but I'm not sure I want the government seizing property for sale either....
October 16, 2008
7:59 a.m.
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sheepherder writes:
And why is'nt Dan focusing on his own community instead of Denver and Aurora?
October 16, 2008
8:01 a.m.
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Heidi writes:
I don't think I would want to drive around a vehicle that had been impounded. Sounds dangerous to me!
October 16, 2008
8:03 a.m.
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sheepherder writes:
Too funny! How was your trip?
October 16, 2008
8:07 a.m.
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Heidi writes:
It was great seeing everyone, especially my 1 yr old niece and 3 yr old nephew. It was hard to leave!
October 16, 2008
8:10 a.m.
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Heidi writes:
subsea, not bad. It looks as though there are more interesting articles than there was yesterday!
October 16, 2008
8:20 a.m.
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Heidi writes:
subsea....why weren't they watching the debate instead of debating amongst themselves?
October 16, 2008
8:22 a.m.
AngelontheSidelines writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
October 16, 2008
9:25 a.m.
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Citizen21 writes:
I'm glad this is going forward. It pushes to the forefront an issue that needs to be dealt with. However, if the initiative is to work going forward, the illegal language needs to come out of it. Not that I have a prob with it, it just seems the Initiative would do the same job with out it—and maybe it would get enforced.
Ritter should be shamed that he basically told Denver to ignore Initiative 100. It would save lives. And, wow, in these hard economic times, it would actually provide additional revenue to the city. Ritter…um…hello…are you there?
October 16, 2008
10:57 a.m.
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FutureDenver writes:
Illegals are not mentioned because it is both unnecessary as they are unlikely to have all of the required including a valid license, registration and proof of insurance, and because you can't really prove someone is illegal (you can't prove a negative) unless they admit it. This charter amendment absolutely requires towing vehicles driven by unlicensed drivers. The deputy chief of police attended the hearing and he, the city clerk, and the city attorney for Aurora were very receptive. The paper made an incorrect statement when saying that only another ID is required when not possessing a license. You must have a driver's license of record and fit the description of such, have proof of insurance and the vehicle registration or you're walking. If you pass muster you'll receive a ticket and must show proof of a valid license within ten days or your car will be towed the next time the police cross paths with it. As far as making money from the auction, Denver is now getting $2 1/2 million from the seized car auction every year. Perhaps a low rider will show up if the rider doesn't have an "M" on his license. By the way, Jefferson county already tows cars of unlicensed drivers, period. We are trying to solve the problem city by city. Aurora is the 2nd biggest in the area and obviously has a problem. We found four of ten cars in Denver are operated by unlicensed drivers including plenty of legal citizens. Please help us. You don't have to live in Aurora to carry a petition in Aurora as that's a Federal freedom of speech ruling made when we sued Arvada in 1999. Perhaps we can help out in you area next. contact futuredenver@yahoo.com Dan
October 16, 2008
11:17 a.m.
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Sundog writes:
Seize! Seize! Great idea, because they walk away from court only as far as the parking lot, where they drive off with a smirk. When they are caught again, they yawn. Seize!
October 16, 2008
11:41 a.m.
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happymike44 writes:
The object is to make them pay to retrieve their car.
If we seize the cars of repeat offenders enough soon they will be to broke to buy one and fill it up.
Sounds good to me but remember it is up to officers discretion and knowing the police it won't happen.
Except to the people the officers have a grudge against.
There will be a select few who will be the target.
The other problem is they will quote this law to pull anyone and everyone over and this will be the excuse to do it with.
Remember big brother is watching you so be careful.
October 16, 2008
2:20 p.m.
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sheepherder writes:
happy, they already have to pay to get the cars back. As far as using this law to pull people over...it's not PC for a stop...what are you talking about, and how do you know so much about law enforcement operations?
October 16, 2008
5:04 p.m.
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mrfxx writes:
What's the matter VVVV? Are you an unlicensed and/or uninsured driver who is bent that someone wants to stop you from driving illegally? Or are you an employer who is concerned that you have employees driving illegally who can't get to work? Am still trying to figure out what your whine is about.
October 16, 2008
6:29 p.m.
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Buzzm1 writes:
ENFORCE OUR LAWS AGAINST ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION!!!
THERE WILL BE NO AMNESTY!!!
OUR ACCEPTABLE IMMIGRATION REFORM
#1. Secure Our Borders!!!
#2. Mandate E-Verify for ALL Employees!!!
#3. Mandate E-Verify for ANY Benefit!!!
#4. Stop the Underground Economy!!!
#5. End Birthright Citizenship for Illegals!!!
......and make it retroactive!!!
#6. End Chain Migration!!!
#7. Make English our Official Language!!!
#8. Cut Off Federal Funds to Sanctuary Cities!!
NOTHING MORE!!! NOTHING LESS!!!
October 16, 2008
6:29 p.m.
Suggest removal
Buzzm1 writes:
WE HAVE BEEN INVADED!!!
SOUTHWEST BORDER APPREHENSIONS (Source DHS/CBP)
1987--1,190,488------1995--1,394,554------2003----905,065
1988--1,008,145------1996--1,649,986------2004--1,139,282
1989----954,243------1997--1,412,953------2005--1,189,108
1990--1,169,939------1998--1,555,776------2006--1,071,972
1991--1,197,875------1999--1,537,000------2007----858,638
1992--1,258,482------2000--1,643,679------2008----660,288 (08/31)
1993--1,327,259------2001--1,235,718
1994--1,094,717------2002----929,809
FACT: In the last 22 years, over 26 million illegals, have been apprehended, crossing our Southwest Border.
THE PROBLEM IS: Less than 1, out of 4 illegals, were estimated to have been apprehended, while crossing the border, into our United States.
Mind boggling, isn't it.
According to the U.S. Immigration Service another 6 million illegals in this country are visa overstays. That is, they got a visa legally in their home country, they came here to visit and then they never left.
In the last 22 years, there have been another 4 million anchor babies born to illegals. Anchor babies are now being born at a rate of 350-400 thousand per year in our United States. All at our expense!!
Then the ANCHOR BABIES qualify for welfare, food stamps, section-8 housing, all at our expense.
American Taxpayers are getting screwed, over, and over, and over, again!!!
Each illegal immigrant, on average, costs taxpayers $9,000 PER YEAR, over, and above, anything they might contribute in taxes!!!