LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville Metro Police (LMPD) has seized a total of 63 cars connected to street racing this year. Currently, 30 of those are sitting in the impound lot, and many of those will remain there for six months.
It's because of an ordinance that police said is working to discourage street racing around the metro.
In the dark or in broad daylight, street racer's rides end up at the LMPD impound lot on Frankfort Avenue.
"You've got Chargers, Challengers, you have Camaros, you have Mustangs, it doesn't matter," said LMPD Det. Darell Wagner, showing WHAS11 News around the lot.
Wagner is an officer with the Traffic Unit.
"The whole point for us is to take their vehicles so that way it deters them from the action again," Wagner said.
The ordinance allows LMPD to seize a car involved in street racing, whether you're the driver, or even just participating in road blockage.
"It is working," Wagner said. "We have their vehicles here. I can guarantee you word of mouth has spread, and they will tell their friends that we have zero tolerance for this."
The ordinance says that on the first offense, a vehicle could be impounded for six months and the individual has to pay $1000. On the second offense, the fine increases to $2000.
Police said it is leading to change on the streets.
"It has decreased our amounts for vehicular fatalities, I believe," Wagner said. "It has decreased it a lot compared to what it could be."
Others see it differently.
"I've had people who's lives are destroyed by this," said attorney Ben Potash.
Potash represents people whose cars ended up in the impound because of the street racing ordinance.
"If the police take your car on an allegation that they haven't proven, now you can't get to work, now you lose your job," Potash said.
He said there's a better way to stop street racers with a "fair day in court."
"If the government can prove their case, they can meet at a penalty," Potash said. "But, what's happening right now is that they're punishing people before they prove their case. That's not American. That doesn't follow the constitution."
The ordinance does allow people to appeal their impoundment.
Potash is calling on Metro Council to rewrite the ordinance.
LMPD is calling on street racers to stop, or get seized.
Earlier this fall, LMPD Police Chief Paul Humphrey and Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg came out with their support for legislation around car crushing. It would crush the cars of convicted street racers, and could be drafted in the statehouse in this upcoming session.
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