Those who commit crimes might want to steer clear of O'Fallon, Ill.
The City Council passed an ordinance Monday that calls for people arrested while driving to pay an administrative fee of $250 or $500, depending on the offense.
"People who commit crimes in the city of O'Fallon, who are driving with warrants out for them or other crimes where they need to be taken from their cars will have to pay to have their cars towed away," Police Chief John Betten said.
Ward 3 Alderman Rick Reckamp was the only council member who voted against the fees.
"It's a regressive tax," Reckamp said. "It charges the people who can least afford it to pay the most."
Ward 5 Alderman Dennis Renner didn't see Reckamp's logic.
"If people aren't doing anything wrong, they aren't going to have to pay it," Renner said. "And if they're dealing drugs in O'Fallon or abusing kids or their wives, I want them off the streets."
Betten said the fees are in addition to the hauling and impound fees charged by tow operators. He said the money would help to pay the cost of processing paperwork associated with impounding cars. He estimated it could save the city about $100,000 a year.
The council also voted to increase the cost of burial plots and grave openings at the city cemetery and to pass an ordinance that allows the city to charge out-of-towners for emergency services.
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