Drive drunk: lose vehicle

The Sisters City Council has unanimously voted to grant a three-year renewal of a vehicle forfeiture policy related to drunk driving convictions.

The ordinance allows police officers to seize cars of drivers with a history of driving-related convictions, such as drivers who have been previously convicted of drunk driving (or who have gone through a diversion program in lieu of a conviction).

The ordinance also applies to drivers whose license has been suspended for misdemeanor or felony crimes, as well as a host of driving-related crimes such as attempt to elude and hit and run.

In Sisters, local police officers make the arrests and Deschutes County manages other aspects of the program.

Bend and Redmond, as well as Deschutes County, also have vehicle forfeiture ordinances. "The program is growing, and has been highly successful," Sheriff Greg Brown told the Sisters City Council.

As evidence, Brown cited a declining number of drunk driving arrests since the policy was instituted in 1992, accompanied by a rising number of vehicle forfeitures. "Most places other than Deschutes County have seen a continued increase in arrests."

According to Sheriff Brown, Central Oregon's forfeiture program has received national recognition because it may have reduced drunk driving incidents, and because the program does not cost the taxpayers.

"The cars sold at auction offset the costs of the program," said Brown. He noted that the city of Sisters grossed about $28,000 in proceeds from the sale of forfeited vehicles. "We spent about $12,000 on legal costs and advertising and are still in the black."

Brown said that while the policy has been challenged many times in Deschutes County Court, judges have always upheld it.

In 1996, 182 vehicles of drunk drivers were impounded county-wide, as well as 143 vehicles from drivers convicted of driving while suspended