Not about safety, but about punishment
This is in reply to Chris Bailey's column Aug. 26.
Bailey seems to leave out important aspects of the discussion concerning the proposed ordinance to impound vehicles of drivers who are driving without a license or proof of insurance.
I do not support anyone driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. These drivers currently have their vehicles towed and impounded.
In fact, most drivers who are ticketed for driving without a valid driver's license or insurance also have their cars towed and impounded under our current laws and procedures.
What I didn't support was the additional "administrative fee" to get the car back.
The argument made by the sponsor of the ordinance was that it was a "safety issue." That was the reason to impound the vehicles and to cause the owner of the vehicle to pay a considerable amount of money to get their vehicle back.
The sponsor argued that this would be a deterrent to people who drive without a valid license or proof of insurance.
My concern is that this is just another attempt to crack down on a certain group of people in our community. Yes, it targets Hispanics. It's not meant as a "safety issue" but as another weapon to force people out of our village.
We already have a nation-wide reputation for being an intolerant community, thanks to the trustees who support the Hazelton, Pa., ordinance that was recently struck down by a Federal judge for being unconstitutional.
The fact that we do have illegal immigrants in our country is a national problem that must be addressed by our federal government. For local government to keep trying to punish people for being here is not a solution. The role of local government is to solve problems. Local government shouldn't be in the business of creating new problems.
If the real intent of this ordinance is meant to deal with dangerous drivers, then why shouldn't it involve violations such as drivers who ignore the stop arm on a school bus, or drivers who ignore emergency vehicles and do not move over when they are coming, or drivers who speed through school zones, or go around railroad crossing gates?
Why would we want to impose new fees only on the drivers who are not licensed or who do not have insurance? These are not safety issues; they are more likely matters of circumstances. Why not make sure that those who do live in this country are treated the same?
Why not make sure that all drivers regardless of their legal status are able to legally get a driver's license? That would make much more sense.
Bill Sarto, president
Carpentersville