INDIANAPOLIS — If your stolen vehicle gets recovered in Indianapolis, you will soon have a few days to get it before you have to pay.
A proposal to create a waiver program for recovering stolen vehicles passed the Indianapolis City-County Council Monday, 22-0.
A person recovering their stolen vehicle from an impound lot can get a waiver for the towing fee and up to five days of storage, as long as they:
- Are the stolen vehicle’s registered owner (or their legal representative)
- Are a resident of Indianapolis
- Have reported the vehicle as stolen to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department
- Have never previously been granted a waiver – meaning you can only be granted a reprieve from the towing and storage fees once.
The proposal was introduced in February by Indianapolis City-County Councilor Joseph Simpson, D-District 7.
In this case, Simpson is more than a lawmaker trying to change city code. He knows firsthand how frustrating it can be. A couple of years ago, Simpson’s daughter’s vehicle was stolen. When it was recovered, she owed about $150 in fees, which surprised Simpson. He paid the fees, since she didn’t have the money to at the time. She used the car for going back and forth to school.
"It was just one of those deals where I felt this was unfair,” Simpson said. “Forget me being a councilor, just as an average citizen. I felt it this was totally unfair. I just couldn't believe you would get victimized twice — stolen, then you have to pay."
The proposal is scheduled to go into effect on July 1.
