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Vehicle Impoundment Ordinance According to the City Code, the Sarasota Police Department has the authority to impound a motor vehicle in the following circumstances: a) the vehicle is being used to facilitate prostitution; b) the vehicle is being used to facilitate drug related crimes; c) the driver left the scene of an accident; d) a person is driving with knowledge his/her license is suspended or revoked; e) motor vehicle noise -- including loud stereos. The last three violations were amended to the existing City Ordinance on May 19, 2008, following two public hearings. One of the most common complaints from City of Sarasota residents is loud music blaring from vehicles from as far as 200 feet away in otherwise quiet neighborhoods. Effective September 1, 2008 vehicles which play excessively loud music will be impounded. The enforcement will be as follows:		Information & Resources Section 33-271 of the City Code City Commission Public Hearings April 21, 2008 First Reading May 19, 2008 Second Reading Vehicle Impoundment Public Service Announcements 30 second - PSA 60 second - PSA Send your comments on the ordinance to Captain Lucius Bonner. Contact us Sarasota Police Department 2050 Ringling Blvd Sarasota, FL 34237 Telephone: (941) 954-7025 Fax: (941) 364-7308

• First Offense: No fine; vehicle impounded; tow/storage bill
• Second Offense: $250 fine; vehicle impounded; tow/storage bill
• Third + Offense: $500 fine; vehicle impounded; tow/storage bill

The loud music portion of this ordinance was modeled after a similar one in Peoria, Illinois. The Peoria Police Department experienced a dramatic decline in loud music complaints after its ordinance was implemented. Uniformed officers there report very few repeat offenders. The Sarasota Police Department anticipates similar results.