No property rights in Pekin for car owners?
I don’t think Ed Emmons likes Pekin’s towing ordinance:
In March of 2008 the Mayor and the Pekin City Council passed an ordinance called the Seizure and Impounding of Vehicles. The ordinance was supposed to be a deterrent to Driving while under the influence. It goes without saying these and all other crimes should be enforced, but carefully.
I have not seen any proof to this point that this ordinance accomplishes that goal. The last I knew the City was still averaging around 45 tows per month. In my opinion the only thing that this ordinance has accomplished is to generate badly needed revenue for the City of Pekin.
Not only does this ordinance begin a punishment process before guilt is established, proof of innocence is on the vehicle owner, just the opposite of standard American Law!
In Peoria, they will tow your car if you play your radio too loud. As a result, I hear less booming noise coming from blocks away. But people still complain. If the Peoria Police were so inclined they could use this ordinance to punish those they don’t like, I suppose.
I just don’t like the idea that your property could be taken away without due process.
Billy Dennis is a former reporter and editor at small daily and weekly newspapers in Illinois and Missouri. He comments on media, news and politics. He also owns and operates 
