The village is examining a possible ordinance that would allow for cost recovery from DWLS (driving while license suspended) offenders.
For years, local procedures for arresting DWLS and OWI (operating while intoxicated) offenders ran parallel, except in cost recovery. Costs recovered include money spent on arresting, booking, processing and possibly prosecuting ? to the tune of several hundred dollars ? and are repaid by the offender.
Recent legislation now allows law enforcement to charge and recover costs associated with DWLS arrests, and Lake Orion might jump on the opportunity.
‘The existing economic climate demands that police departments seek all revenue sources that are legally and justifiably available,? Police Chief Jerry Narsh said. ‘In that light, I’ve asked that the village investigate the possibility of adopting [this] ordinance.?
Narsh recommends the DWLS cost recovery be $150 for first-time offenders and $300 for repeat offenders.
‘Based on my calculations from 2007 to 2008, the police department would have collected $17,250 back into the general fund,? he said.
Currently, village taxpayers foot the bill for DWLS state-mandated, labor-intensive arrest of repeat offenders.
‘But we feel it’s important our residents don’t entirely foot the bill for these criminals,? the chief said.
Village Councilmember Ken VanPortfliet expressed his support for the ordinance at the Feb. 23 meeting.
‘I think it’s great that [the chief] brought this forward. It’s got some real potential for additional revenue,? he said.
The council set time at the March 23 meeting public comment on the issue and possible adoption of the ordinance.