New Details Emerge in Anti-Repo Ordinance

New Details Emerge in Cities Anti-Repo Ordinance

“Then penalties, whether it be to the maximum of what a local municipality could enforce, whether it be a fine, or even potential jail time.”

Decatur, AL – April 15, 2024 – Ever since the initial fallout of the September 2023 killing of borrower Stephen Perkins during a PenFed Credit Union repossession, the city of Decatur, Alabama has been looking for ways to stop an incident like this from ever happening again. This outcry initially looked to create an ordinance to limit or prohibit repossessions after dark. Its delayed implementation has been explained by a slew of additions.

Rather than rewriting the source material by WHNET/News19, I’ll just let their words tell the story. Below is their story.

DECATUR, Ala. (WHNT) — A vehicle repossession ordinance was first proposed in Decatur last November, and after months of debate, City Council President Jacob Ladner says the letter of the ordinance has changed drastically.

“I think the original goal is just, hey is there something we can do with repossessions that can prevent tragedy in the future,” Ladner said.

After the death of Stephen Perkins during a botched vehicle repossession last year, the Decatur City Council first considered the idea of a nighttime repossession ban in the city in November. But as more people from the community, and from the council, weighed in – the ordinance seemed to never stop changing.

“We added that you could not have two repossession attempts at the same location in a 24-hour period,” Ladner said. “Then penalties, whether it be to the maximum of what a local municipality could enforce, whether it be a fine, or even potential jail time.”

The current proposal also states that businesses could have their license revoked if they do not follow the ordinance once it is imposed.

Still, the amount of time it has taken to get this ordinance has frustrated many citizens, but Ladner says that making changes led to a longer process.

“We presented something about a month ago, and some folks – in a good way – brought us ‘Hey, why don’t we look at adding a few more things,’ and so that delayed the process. That’s just kind of how this process works,” Ladner added.

The council opted not to vote on the current version of the ordinance during a meeting on Monday morning. Ladner tells News 19 that they will most likely vote on the vehicle repossession ordinance at the next council meeting, which is set for May 6th, but that could always be pushed later again.

Source: WHNT.com

EDITORS NOTE: No repossessions within 24 hours at the same residence? Okay, but that’s a pretty rare occurrence. But their statement really put some teeth in the extent of their punitive desire that; “Then penalties, whether it be to the maximum of what a local municipality could enforce, whether it be a fine, or even potential jail time.”

Not sure what impact that would have for safety, but their intentions seem to be well intended, growing and punitive.

Kevin Armstrong

Publisher