City Live-Stop Program Facing Lawsuit

PHILADELPHIA - A Philadelphia attorney is suing the city after he claims police broke their own rules by leaving his daughter stranded after impounding her car for an expired registration under the “live-stop” statute .

The program, which the City Council approved more than a decade ago, was designed to get unregistered vehicles and unlicensed drivers off the streets to combat high automotive insurance rates in the city. If a driver’s license and registration are not current, their vehicle can be impounded until the problems are fixed.

Attorney Stephen Sheller said the officers involved in the stop and impoundment violated the city law by towing the vehicle and leaving his 27-year-old daughter and her fiancé stranded on the corner of 58th Street and Woodland Avenue, where he said they did not feel safe.

Police Department Spokesman Lt. Raymond Evers said Saturday he could not comment about open litigation, but said most people are aware of the live-stop program. He said the officers who decided to impound the vehicle were in the right.

“Live stop will continue without a doubt,” said Evers.

Joyce Evans spoke with Sheller and also former federal prosecutor Fred Tecce about the live-stop program Saturday.