5.1. SR 10-28-2002City
Police Department
Item # 5.1.
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Mayor and City Council
Thomas D. Zerwas, Chief of Police ~''''~ ....
October 23, 2002 '-
Vehicle Lockout Services
At the budget meeting in August, the city council decided to charge for vehicle lockout
services. I was asked to get further information from cities that currently provide this
service and report back to the council.
We have obtained this information from the Cities of Anoka and Ramsey. Both cities
charge a fee of twenty dollars ($20.00) for vehicle lockout services. They both use an
envelope that is basically identical other than color. This envelope is identical to our current
parking ticket and is printed by our printing company. It would be very easy on our part to
simply copy their format.
As for payment, Anoka officers give the envelope to the motorist and tells them to mail the
envelope with a check to the City of Anoka or drop off the check at the City's drop box. If
payment is not received within seven (7) days, a follow-up letter is sent. If an additional
seven (7) days goes by and payment still has not been received, an additional ten dollars
($10.00) fee is added on. If payment still is not received, the City then turns it over to a
collection agency for collection. The information I have received indicates most people pay
the fee.
If the city council wants to pursue this format and charge a fee of twenty dollars ($20.00),
you can include it with the Annual Fee Schedule that is adopted by resolution. If you would
like, we could also implement this program on December 1, 2002.
I am also enclosing a copy of a policy that I ~vould adopt for our officers, as well as a copy
of Anoka's envelope. If you have any questions or comments, please give me a call.
TDZ/kma
enc.
DIRECTIVE NUMBER
OPERATIONS MANUAL (pending)
SUBJECT: PAGE:
VEHICLE LOCKOUT SERVICE
EFFECT]NE DATE: DISTRIBUTION: REVISION DATE:
12-01-2002 ALL PERSONNEL
PURPOSE:
To establish uniform procedures for providing vehicle lockout service.
VEHICLE LOCKOUT:
The Police Department is directly responsible for providing a broad range of traffic related services to the
motoring public. In order to provide these services in the most efficient manner, the following procedures
will be followed:
Sub 1 GENERAL SERVICES
Vehicle Lockouts
If the request is made by a motorist who is simply locked out of a vehicle or has locked keys
inside, the following procedure will be used:
1. Inform the complainant that there is a $20 charge for opening the vehicle (exception: if there is
a possible life threatening situation for human or animal).
2. Inform the complainant that the police department does not take any responsibility for damage
resulting from unlocking the vehicle.
3. At the request of the complainant, open the vehicle. If unsuccessful, do not charge the
complainant.
4. If you are successful, completely fill out the top and bottom half of the lockout receipt form
with the complainant information. The ICR# will be added by the Records Clerk.
5. Give the green envelope to the complainant. Do NOT accept payment. Direct them to mail
the payment to the Finance Department or to place it in the drop box at City Hall.
6. The officer will turn in the completed receipt to the Records Department. The lockout number
on the receipt must be recorded on the ICR.
7. The receipts will be forwarded to the Finance Department under the direction of the Support
Service Supervisor.
If the request is made because a child or animal is locked inside, the officer must evaluate the
circumstances dependent upon the safety and health of the child or animal.
1. Advise complainant of #2 above if time permits. (There is no charge in this case.)
2. If, after evaluating the situation, the officer determines the safety and health of the child or
animal may be in jeopardy, the officer may use appropriate methods to gain entry.
LOCKOUT N°. 47'51
LIC. # STATE
DATE TIME
BADGE # LOCATION__
SIGNATURE
Name
Address
City/State
Zip Code
ICR #
Phone #.
The vehicle listed above was unlocked by a
member of the A~noka Police Department.
The City of ^noka is not responsible for any
damage resulting from Unlocking 'this vehicle.
Forward this notice to the Finance Department
for billing.
RESOLUTION 02 -
A RESOLUTION FOR THE CITY OF ELK RIVER
A RESOLUTION ADOPTING FEES FOR VEHICLE LOCKOUT SERVICES
WHEREAS, the Police Department provides vehicle lockout services for motorists who have
either locked their keys in their vehicle; and
WHEREAS, the Police Department has established a uniform procedure for providing vehicle
lockout services; and
WHEREAS, the Police Department will provide the lockout service for a fee which will be
established by the City Council and set by resolution; and
WHEREAS, the fee for this service will be reviewed on an annual basis along with all of
the other City fees; and
WHEREAS, the fee for lockout services will be set by resolution.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Elk River,
Minnesota that the City will begin charging a fee of $20.00 for lockout services provided by
the Elk River Police Department beginning December 1, 2002.
Passed and adopted by the Elk River City Council this 28th day of October, 2002.
ATTEST:
Stephanie A. Klmzing, Mayor
Sandra A. Peme, City Clerk