My son attended a party in an East Bay town in the San Francisco Bay Area.  The police were called due to a disturbing the peace and they closed down the party.  My son was sober and was actually the designated driver for a few friends.  I don't condone underage drinking, but I also feel that designated drivers of any age should not be taken off the road.  When the police arrived, my son's car was parked on the main road and his tires where two inches into the fog line.  When the police arrived, it was an unattended vehicle.  However, my son was with his vehicle before the police called tow truck arrived.  He spoke to three officers, respectfully offering to move his vehicle, they refused to let him and the three boxed his car in until it could be hooked up to the tow truck.  He actually gave them his keys to assist in that process.

My view is that there was an infraction and it should have been a citation, there was no reasonable cause to tow the vehicle, it was attended, my son was sober, the car had no defects and was properly registered.  The cost of the tow/storage, etc. was around $500.  I spoke to the Sergeant.  He was cited under section (b) of the California Vehicle Code Section 22650.  The code relates to an UNATTENDED vehicle.  It is interesting to note that sections (c) and (d) - parking in front of a driveway or fire hydrant - have a "practical" standard prior to a tow - can the owner be located, etc.   His view was that it was unattended upon arrival by his officers.  His view was also that they can't turn a blind-eye to a violation.  It seems to me that the citation/fine should be the "penalty" not the towing of the vehicle.  It would seem reasonable that the towing should only be done if there is no practical way to correct the obstruction referenced in section (b).  I said if two inches into the fog line was such a serious consideration, they should consider moving the fog line out six to twelve inches.

I feel the tow was an impractical and a overreaching solution to clear an obstruction (two inches into the fog line is not a reasonable obstruction).  My son could have received a citation and then driven away - clearing the obstruction.  I did also discuss the fact the danger associated with removing a designated driver vehicle and the potential liability.  I would have rather seen them focus on open containers related to underage drinkers and checking sobriety of drivers leaving the party.

My son was very respectful and talked to all three officers.  He even talked to the tow truck driver who told him they were told the car was stolen?  (police deny this)  My son showed proof of registration.  This seems very fishy to me, like there is some form of financial gain motivation?  The ticket for a violation is $65, but with the tow it is $134.  I'm wondering if this is a revenue source for the town?  I'd hate to think that there was some personal financial arrangement between the towing company and one or more of the police officers.  Something just doesn't seem right.  I will be talking to the Chief of Police next week.  Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.