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Council committee asks administration to draft ordinance to allow six‑month impoundments for street takeover offenses
Summary
The Public Safety and Quality of Life Committee voted unanimously to request a 30‑day report and for the administration and law department to draft an ordinance modeled on Louisville that would authorize a minimum six‑month impoundment and require offenders to pay impoundment costs; the committee also asked law to report on prior prosecutions under the revised state law to inform penalties.
The Cincinnati City Council Public Safety and Quality of Life Committee voted to request that the administration and the law department prepare a report and draft an ordinance within 30 days to strengthen local penalties for organized "street takeovers." Council member Mark Jeffries moved the request and the committee adopted two friendly amendments, including a chair‑recommended requirement for a minimum six‑month vehicle impoundment and that offenders cover all impoundment costs.
Jeffries said the proposal is modeled on an ordinance used in Louisville and emphasized the impoundment provision as a deterrent. He and other members stressed that the proposed local ordinance would not target lawful car shows where vehicles are stationary and organizers notify city officials.
During discussion members raised enforcement and fiscal questions: CPD’s presentation showed 58 vehicles were towed and that tow fees collected were about $13,000; council members asked whether fees and long‑term storage costs could be adjusted or recovered. A law department representative said some fees are set by state law and the city would explore options for recouping long‑term impound costs as staff draft ordinance language.
After a second, the committee conducted a roll call vote and all members present voted to forward the request to administration and law. The committee also unanimously approved a second amendment directing the law department to report on prior prosecutions under the revised Ohio provision cited in the briefing (requested to better understand how charges played out in court and to inform what local penalties would be appropriate).
Next steps: the committee directed administration and the law department to draft ordinance language and provide a report in 30 days; law will also compile information on prior and pending prosecutions under the state provision to guide council deliberations.
The committee adjourned after completing the votes.
