New law empowers DPS to impound vehicles

Gov. Eloy S. Inos signed into law a bill authorizing the Department of Public Safety to impound vehicles driven or operated by motorists who violate certain criminal or traffic laws with an arrest already effectuated.

Rep. Christopher Leon Guerrero’s (Cov-Saipan) House Bill 18-92, Senate Draft 1 is now Public Law 18-60.

The new law, signed on Friday, also authorizes DPS to promulgate rules and procedures for the setting of charges for towing and impoundment fees as well as to collect fees.

These fees could be used to maintain impoundment facilities and acquire emergency response police vehicles.

Leon Guerrero said DPS is in the process of acquiring a warehouse facility from the Department of Public Lands to ensure these vehicles are safely kept and the facility is properly managed.