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LA Mayor Backing Off Plan To Stop Impounding Cars Of Unlicensed Drivers?

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — The mayor of Los Angeles may be rethinking a proposal to end the city's practice of impounding vehicles belonging to unlicensed drivers.

KNX 1070's Claudia Peschiutta reports Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa now says changes to the law are only under consideration and that nothing has been finalized.

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Villaraigosa had reportedly told Spanish-language newspaper La Opinion that starting in January, LAPD officers would stop impounding the cars during routine traffic stops.

The proposal would allow a properly licensed driver to pick up the vehicle the same day rather than wait for the standard 30-day period at a cost of about $1,500.

Villaraigosa said the changes are merely being considered.

"We're looking at that policy, we're hoping to make it more reasonable," he said. "I can tell you we have to go through a public process to do that, I don't do that on my own."

Critics contend the 30-day impounds unfairly target undocumented immigrants.

"I think it has a disproportionate impact on them," Villaraigosa said.

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