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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin and City Counsel
FROM: Nydia Molina, Assistant Corporation Counsel-Law Department
DATE: January 23, 2024
SUBJECT:
An Ordinance Amending Chapter 29, Article II, Creating "Section 32, Fleeing and Eluding."
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this ordinance is to amend the city code to allow the police department to charge the registered owner of a vehicle with fleeing and eluding a peace officer.
BACKGROUND:
In recent years, the number of fleeing and eluding incidents has greatly increased within the City. Over the past four years the numbers have steadily increased from 76 incidents in 2019 to 118 and 126 incidents in 2022 and 2023. As a result, there has also been an increase in the amount of police time and resources responding to and investigating these incidents. These cases require significant police resources, including, but not limited to, multiple hours spent reviewing video, preparing police reports, conducting interviews, and conducting internal administrative reviews; often without any arrests due to not being able to positively identify the driver.
DISCUSSION:
It is often too dangerous for the police to pursue a driver who is fleeing or eluding the police. For safety reasons police officers often must terminate the chase or apprehension and are therefore unable to physically identify the driver. Absent a positive identification of a driver of a motor vehicle, the registered owner of a motor vehicle is in the best position to know who is operating the registered owner's motor vehicle and to prevent the motor vehicle from being used to flee or elude a peace officer.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
This goal of this ordinance is to deter and decrease the number of fleeing and eluding incidents, preserve police time and resources, and increase public safety.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends the approval of this Ordinance.
cc: Rules Administration and Procedure.
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
ORDINANCE NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE __...
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