Some Metro Detroit Municipalities Are Charging for Police Accident Report Callouts

OK, I got into an accident in Eastpointe on Dec. 22. Someone went thru a red light and I swerved to get out of the way and hit a street sign.

Although the vehicle damage was more than I thought it would be [[was a pretty strong street sign)... I was able to drive to the Eastpointes police station on 9 Mile & Gratiot... and filed a police report [[the other vehicle didn't stop).

Anyway I wasn't in there more than 15 minutes... they wrote down what I had to say, and then came into the police parking lot to spend 30 seconds to look at my car.

Several weeks later AAA [[my insurer) sent me a letter saying that Eastpointe Police requested that they [[the insurer) pay $327.00 for police time. AAA told them to bug off... that it was part of their job.

So all of a sudden 2 1/2 months later I get a bill from an out of state collections agency for the $327!!

On the bill it states that the police department came to the scene of the accident for an hour to handle the report, and also other clerical fees.

Well no one came out... I went to them... and spent only about 15 minutes with 1 officer.

I was fuming on Friday, and went down to the Eastpointe station and talked to the officer involved. He said that yeah he remembered me coming to the station... and that I should write a letter to the Police Chief explaining the situation.

Great I thought... that will go nowhere... but on Monday I will hand deliver a letter including a copy [[that I paid $10 for) of the police report... and mention that their department didn't send anyone out to handle the trouble... but that I went there. I already know that this will lead me nowhere... since the collection agency will likely send out another letter demanding payment.

The funny thing is that the street mentioned on the accident report doesn't even exist in Eastpointe... so that proves no one was at the site.

So now what do I do... do I contact the State Attorney General's offiice and say that Eastpointe is committing fraud? Or?

The irony is that I went to the police station to file a report so that my $250 AAA deductible would be waived [[which it was)... only to get a bill from Eastpointe for $327!

Also, I was told by the officer that only people NOT living in Eastpointe will be charged for accident police reports there.

Beware people...

It is Common in other cites to charge for fire truck,ems,and police to respond to accidents, that is allot of resources tied up for a couple of hours,but they also use volunteer community resource officers for the fender benders,or non injury stuff at no charge.

But they also take hit and run very seriously.

You see, this is the flip side of TAX CUTS. It's called FEE INCREASES. Don't ever believe a politician when they tell you they're going to cut your taxes. They're going to shift the burden and use a euphemism to explain it.

I agree 1KielsonDrive... but they only spent 15 minutes [[at the station) on my police report.

If this had been a commercial business... it would be known as FRAUD.... I bet that I won't get anywhere with either the local police department or with the State Attorney General's office... which is where I'm headed next, if the city persists.

And [[even though I'm a resident of SCS)... I'll make sure to make a stink at the next Eastpointe City Council meeting... as well as bring it up at the next SCS City Council meeting that Eastpointe is scamming their [[SCS) residents.

... the gloves are off.... :mad:

This is something common across the country. I think there was a story, in fact, about New York City raising its fees for accident reporting and locking keys in cars, and such.

It appalls me as well, that these officers [[or their depts.) are charging
for these services, especially this case which they did literally nothing,
as we, the Tax Payers, are already paying them their salaries.
Then further pay these entities AGAIN....for the same services.
Yeah, where is their reasoning coming from?
If politicians spent as much time just doing their jobs, as they do concentrating
their efforts on shifting costs from one area to the next, or getting their own
salaries increased [[keeping parallel w/cost of living) while the rest of us have to take concessions, and decreases in insurance coverage....their golden junkets,
like 'Retreating' Up-North to Mackinac Island....for 'Conferences'.
Yeah right.
Why not cut these 'perks' just a little people, so our children can have extracurricular activities in school [[all important by the way), or new books,
or keeping schools open, or at least, if you're going to consolidate...build
them new, state of the art schools, and give the good teachers decent wages,
[[maybe on par with politicians'...or maybe BETTER)..and figure modern, forward
thinking practices of teaching larger class sizes. This stuff is already being done in other countries people. We just need to catch-up!!!
And our municipalities sit around figuring ways to charge us for services,
like filling out Police reports, and EMS, and Fire Protection.
...My God.

If they are only charging non-residents then they aren't charging their local taxpayers.

Why do you think the number of traffic tickets are going up? It has absolutely nothing to do with public safety and everything to do with enhancing city income.

Btw stay out of St. Clair Shores.

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Originally Posted by Gistok

I agree 1KielsonDrive... but they only spent 15 minutes [[at the station) on my police report.

If this had been a commercial business... it would be known as FRAUD.... I bet that I won't get anywhere with either the local police department or with the State Attorney General's office... which is where I'm headed next, if the city persists.

And [[even though I'm a resident of SCS)... I'll make sure to make a stink at the next Eastpointe City Council meeting... as well as bring it up at the next SCS City Council meeting that Eastpointe is scamming their [[SCS) residents.

... the gloves are off.... :mad:

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I agree with your sentiments. The fraud extends to speed traps, selective enforcement, home invasions and property seizures as well. This is not to say our PD's don't have their hands full and don't do a good job in most ways. Just that they're being squeezed as much as anyone. Your actions are exactly the actions I'd take. But....warning to you.....you may be labeled a 'curmudgeon'.

Au contraire...

I am good at public speaking [[and writing)... and can avoid letting my emotions take over... I know all 40+ fallacies of debating... I'm not worried about it. Getting angry or getting other people angry does not solve problems... I'm well aware of those pitfalls.

I just have to be careful about not coming across as a smartass...

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Originally Posted by Gistok

Au contraire...

I am good at public speaking [[and writing)... and can avoid letting my emotions take over... I know all 40+ fallacies of debating... I'm not worried about it. Getting angry or getting other people angry does not solve problems... I'm well aware of those pitfalls.

I just have to be careful about not coming across as a smartass...

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And pretty smug too.

I don't think they can legally charge you. I think for them to charge you to write up a police report, reguardless if they dispatched or not they would have to disclose to you beforehand that there would be a charge.

That would be like walking into a business and asking for a price quote, and the business handing you a bill at the end for the time it took to give you a price quote eventhough you did not buy.

One could then argue that by imposing a fee, it would then make it less likely for someone to report a crime.

If I where you, I would not pay the fee. Here is what I would do...

#1 Write a certified letter to the collection agency disputing the debt. This puts the collection on hold, until they come up with some reason that its valid.

#2 If the collection continues, get the address of the collection agency and write a letter to the attorney general complaining about Eastpointe and a second letter complaining about the collection agency.

From there, you got the BBB, Department of Justice, Fox 2 Problem solvers, and all the other piss ant goverment agencys for consumer protection. The idea here is you create enough problems with all these other agencys for the city and the collection agency, they end up dropping the matter all together to make the problem go away.

Finally, I would file a lawsuit in small claims court. Usually the next step will be that someone in East Points Legal Department will contact you in a few weeks or right before the court date, and offer to drop the charges if you drop your lawsuit.

Usually Small Claims court will work, and I ended up suing Stub Hub over some bad tickets I purchased from them, and it worked out in my favor exactly as I described above.

I tried the same thing with Chase Bank, and they wanted to be assholes and bump it to district court to force me to hire an attorney. What they didn't figure was that I was an even bigger asshole, and instead of dropping the case, I actually hired an attorney and eventually got them to settle out of court and cost them several thousand dollars in legal fees from their high priced attorneys. I would have been cheaper if they would have settled with me before going to district court.

call fox 2 problem solvers

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Originally Posted by GUSHI

call fox 2 problem solvers

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Thanks Gushi.... I had that in the back of my mind...

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Originally Posted by 1KielsonDrive

And pretty smug too.

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I am not smug... I just cannot abide people who think they are better than everyone else... it makes it so much harder for those of us who really are!! :p

[[LOL...)

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Originally Posted by CLAUDE G

I don't think they can legally charge you. I think for them to charge you to write up a police report, reguardless if they dispatched or not they would have to disclose to you beforehand that there would be a charge.

That would be like walking into a business and asking for a price quote, and the business handing you a bill at the end for the time it took to give you a price quote eventhough you did not buy.

One could then argue that by imposing a fee, it would then make it less likely for someone to report a crime.

If I where you, I would not pay the fee. Here is what I would do...

#1 Write a certified letter to the collection agency disputing the debt. This puts the collection on hold, until they come up with some reason that its valid.

#2 If the collection continues, get the address of the collection agency and write a letter to the attorney general complaining about Eastpointe and a second letter complaining about the collection agency.

From there, you got the BBB, Department of Justice, Fox 2 Problem solvers, and all the other piss ant goverment agencys for consumer protection. The idea here is you create enough problems with all these other agencys for the city and the collection agency, they end up dropping the matter all together to make the problem go away.

Finally, I would file a lawsuit in small claims court. Usually the next step will be that someone in East Points Legal Department will contact you in a few weeks or right before the court date, and offer to drop the charges if you drop your lawsuit.

Usually Small Claims court will work, and I ended up suing Stub Hub over some bad tickets I purchased from them, and it worked out in my favor exactly as I described above.

I tried the same thing with Chase Bank, and they wanted to be assholes and bump it to district court to force me to hire an attorney. What they didn't figure was that I was an even bigger asshole, and instead of dropping the case, I actually hired an attorney and eventually got them to settle out of court and cost them several thousand dollars in legal fees from their high priced attorneys. I would have been cheaper if they would have settled with me before going to district court.

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Wow... Thanks for the sage advice Claude!

Also making a mental note to self.... never cross Claude G.... :eek:

I didn't want to open a separate thread about this....

At 12:30AM Thrusday.... I was driving Eastbound on I-94 and between 8 and 9 Mile I suddenly saw a bright light, as well as all the cars in front of me slowing down or pulling over.

In the westbound I-94 lanes about 1/3 mile south of 9 Mile Rd, where I-94 starts its sharp "S" curve towards 8 Mile... a sedan had gone up the grassy embankment almost to the top [[there are 12 ft. tall brick walls along that stretch) and plowed into an unfortunate tree [[about 15 ft. tall). The car had burst into flames and flames were shooting about 20 ft. into the air....

Eastpointe and St. Clair Shores policemen had closed the westbound I-94 at 9 Mile, and I spotted a scout car preventing westbound onramp traffic.

I had never seen such a sight in my life... there were likely the entire 3rd shift of both SCS and Eastpointe police in the area [[at least a dozen squad cars), 2 fire trucks [[didn't yet have their hoses out)... and 2 ambulances.

Many folks going I-94 Eastbound just pulled off the road just to watch the spectacular blaze, knowing full well that the police were busy with the westbound traffic.

I certainly hope the person[[s) in the vehicle made it out OK... but I hate to see the "municipal services" BILL that they're going to get in the mail..... :[[

Anyone taking I-94 into the city Thursday morning... check out the charred remains of at least the tree and grassy area of the former inferno... although the completely burned out hulk of a vehicle will likely be towed away by then.

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I certainly hope the person[[s) in the vehicle made it out OK...

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No, they didn't.

http://www.freep.com/article/2011031...text|FRONTPAGE

Wow, thanks Pam... I got there 5 minutes after the crash.... it was a horrific scene...

The irony here is that the tree wasn't that big... only about 12-15 ft. tall. It just shows how in the name of getting better fuel efficiency the bumpers of cars are little more than plastic and styrofoam [[as I found out in my above accident)... and do little to protect you from an impact. That article even mentions why the tree looked like it was in the "middle" of the burning vehicle. Bummer....

But any vehicle that made it all the way up nearly to the top of the I-94 embankment... had to be traveling at a truly high rate of speed...

Hey, in Republican-land, you can have all the healthcare you need, all the police protection, all the education for your kids, as long as you can pay well for it.

Freedom's just another word for money in your pocket. hmm hmm hmm

http://www.detnews.com/article/20110331/METRO/103310421

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Originally Posted by Gistok

http://www.detnews.com/article/20110331/METRO/103310421

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The higher fees reflect some of the real costs of the mass motoring system. I'm sorry you took a hit here, Gistok. However, these fees should be much higher than $327.00.

"I just have to be careful about not coming across as a smartass..." Why? That's what I aspire to be.

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Originally Posted by Gistok

It just shows how in the name of getting better fuel efficiency the bumpers of cars are little more than plastic and styrofoam

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Not true - there's a steel bar underneath the filler and bumper cover. The filler and bumper cover can handle low speed hits, sometimes with no visible damage at all, while not jolting the passenger as badly as if the hit was directly on steel.

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Originally Posted by Gistok

http://www.detnews.com/article/20110331/METRO/103310421

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Good article, Gistok. Your entire situation with the Eastpointe PD is facepalm inducing. Seems that whenever a bureaucrat gets involved commonsense flies out the window.

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Originally Posted by DetroitDad

The higher fees reflect some of the real costs of the mass motoring system. I'm sorry you took a hit here, Gistok. However, these fees should be much higher than $327.00.

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Not when what's being billed for was NOT what happened. No officer was at an accident scene for an hour to handle a report as was stated on my bill... in private industry that is known as a SCAM. I'll be contacting the State Attorney General's Office about this.

... and we're aware of your mass transit bias... but if you were walking down the street or were on a bus and were either robbed or accosted... do you think you should have to pay a fee when you reporrted it to a police department simply by walking into their station to report it? Probably not!

Police departments are there to provide services to the PUBLIC... whether they ride their bike, walk, take public transit OR drive. Differentiating fees based on your mode of transportation is absurd.

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Originally Posted by Gistok

Not when what's being billed for was NOT what happened. No officer was at an accident scene for an hour to handle a report as was stated on my bill... in private industry that is known as a SCAM. I'll be contacting the State Attorney General's Office about this.

... and we're aware of your mass transit bias... but if you were walking down the street or were on a bus and were either robbed or accosted... do you think you should have to pay a fee when you reporrted it to a police department simply by walking into their station to report it? Probably not!

Police departments are there to provide services to the PUBLIC... whether they ride their bike, walk, take public transit OR drive. Differentiating fees based on your mode of transportation is absurd.

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Ok.. I have question; are you pissed at the fee itself or the fact that the cop didn't do what he said he did to justify the fee? By that I mean if he really had come out the scene and really did spend an hour, in your mind is the fee justified?

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Originally Posted by lilpup

Not true - there's a steel bar underneath the filler and bumper cover. The filler and bumper cover can handle low speed hits, sometimes with no visible damage at all, while not jolting the passenger as badly as if the hit was directly on steel.

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Lilpup... I won't argue with your assessment... but 2 weeks ago when I saw a horrific accident on I-94 when a man burned to death in his car when he hit a 12 tall [[not even mature) tree that sliced his car in half... that gave me pause about just how much damage can be caused to newer cars, as opposed to those of 10 or 20 years ago.

Wow. That was the front page lead story in today's Detroit News, hardcopy. Your photo landed above the fold too. You're famous now. Congrats!

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Originally Posted by bailey

Ok.. I have question; are you pissed at the fee itself or the fact that the cop didn't do what he said he did to justify the fee? By that I mean if he really had come out the scene and really did spend an hour, in your mind is the fee justified?

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Bailey... they assess that on who was responsible for the accident. AAA was satisfied with their copy of the police report that I was NOT responsible. Apparently the assistant chief of police in Eastpointe had a difference of opinion [[which is likely biased anyway to protect his department). Whether it is a public or private entity... if I am billed for something... it better damn well be for something that ACTUALLY OCCURRED. Otherwise in my book it's fraud.

And at no point at the police station filing the report was I told that there "may" be fees assessed. 2 months later when I went back to complain... I got a copy of the police report... which I paid $9 for... a fee that I paid because I was told "that's what it costs". With the earlier accident report... no mention of any possibility of any fees were mentioned.

How would you feel if a similar [[hidden bill) scenario happened to you in private industry.... scammed!

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Originally Posted by Jimaz

Wow. That was the front page lead story in today's Detroit News, hardcopy. Your photo landed above the fold too. You're famous now. Congrats!

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LOL... thanks Jimaz... I'm not a publicity hog [[well maybe... just a little :p), but a Detroit News Editor read this thread and had one of his reporters contact me about doing a front page story on it. I was quite apprehensive... I am in no way an activist or trouble maker [[you'll never catch me at a council meeting to complain). But the News thought it was a story that should be told... that the public sector should be held accountable to the same set of rules as the private sector... no argument there.

Now I just have to drive AROUND Eastpointe when I'm in the neighborhood! :eek:

Also... I am always amazed at just how many people in the upper enchelon of the media, politics and business actually read DYES. or for those too busy to do so... they have their subordinates do so and report back.

No wonder Lowell keeps the trolls at bay...

There is a bumper reinforcement bar thats usually steel or another metal. It's the bumper cover , then absorber, than the reinforcment bar.

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Originally Posted by Gistok

LOL... thanks Jimaz... I'm not a publicity hog [[well maybe... just a little :p), but a Detroit News Editor read this thread and had one of his reporters contact me about doing a front page story on it. I was quite apprehensive... I am in no way an activist or trouble maker [[you'll never catch me at a council meeting to complain). But the News thought it was a story that should be told... that the public sector should be held accountable to the same set of rules as the private sector... no argument there.

Now I just have to drive AROUND Eastpointe when I'm in the neighborhood! :eek:

Also... I am always amazed at just how many people in the upper enchelon of the media, politics and business actually read DYES. or for those too busy to do so... they have their subordinates do so and report back.

No wonder Lowell keeps the trolls at bay...

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I don't see any damage on the Neon worth calling the cops over. It's 10 years old.

You don't have full coverage on that thing, do you? And you are wasting time complaining about a fee? Man, if I had your money...

He must hace full coverage, he AAA waived his deductible.

Pretty impressive clout that DY has!

I would expect to see more and more of these fees as the cons in the Michigan House continue to cut revenue sharing to cities. I wouldn't be suppressed if communities start charging for fire department service calls, they are starting to do that in some other states.

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Originally Posted by Vox

I don't see any damage on the Neon worth calling the cops over. It's 10 years old.

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Legally, your supposed to report every accident regardless of damage. If the idiot who caused the accident went to the police and filled out a report, Gistok could have been charged with fleeing the scene. That happened to me years ago, and believe me, you don't want to jump through the hoops to set everything right.

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Originally Posted by Vox

I don't see any damage on the Neon worth calling the cops over. It's 10 years old.

You don't have full coverage on that thing, do you? And you are wasting time complaining about a fee? Man, if I had your money...

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The car had very very low mileage [[it was driven twice a month for the first 8 years), and yes it had a $250 deductible damage insurance... which AAA waived [[due to the police report). I now no longer have comprehensive or collision... since AAA wanted to total the car. I told them NO WAY... it's driveable... and it'll take me several years before I even hit 100,000 miles.

What do you mean wasting my time complaining about a fee... if an auto dealer rips you off, will you just pay what they want with no questions asked?

Funny thing is this morning I got a phone call from my late parents collision shop of 40 years [[Lasko Collision on Harper near Outer Drive). He was pleased about the article, and mentioned how the city of Detroit is giving him hell [[one of the last viable businesses on that stretch of Harper) on his overhanging sign [[they say he owes the city thousands for having the sign overhang on city property)... anyway he told me to bring in the car and he'll get the bumper replaced at a bargain price.

Gistok did you get it repaired? Was it repairable or did AAA make it a total loss.

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Originally Posted by Gistok

The car had very very low mileage [[it was driven twice a month for the first 8 years), and yes it had a $250 deductible damage insurance... which AAA waived [[due to the police report).

What do you mean wasting my time complaining about a fee... if an auto dealer rips you off, will you just pay what they want with no questions asked?

They lied on their bill.... would you just be an obedient citizen and do what you're told and pay up??

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I'm assuming that is a flat rate fee that they charge everyone. Fight it in court? SCS does the same thing to non-residents on I-94. Why aren't you complaining about that?

And really, what you are paying for full coverage isn't worth it, considering the age of the car. They will not give you poop for it if you crashed it. Not to mention your upcoming insurance premium raise for having an accident. Still, it's your right to report it. Good luck.

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Bailey... they assess that on who was responsible for the accident. AAA was satisfied with their copy of the police report that I was NOT responsible. Apparently the assistant chief of police in Eastpointe had a difference of opinion [[which is likely biased anyway to protect his department). Whether it is a public or private entity... if I am billed for something... it better damn well be for something that ACTUALLY OCCURRED. Otherwise in my book it's fraud.

And at no point at the police station filing the report was I told that there "may" be fees assessed. 2 months later when I went back to complain... I got a copy of the police report... which I paid $9 for... a fee that I paid because I was told "that's what it costs". With the earlier accident report... no mention of any possibility of any fees were mentioned.

How would you feel if a similar [[hidden bill) scenario happened to you in private industry.... scammed!

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I don't disagree with the overall shadiness of the situation. I agree with you that there should have been a disclaimer or notice up front....and if they only charge the "at fault" party and the report says you weren't at fault...well, then how are they charging you? Is it because you were a one car accident?

What I'm saying is that I'm not sure I disagree with the fees for responses to non-resident accidents. I mean various municipalities charge out of city residents to use libraries and other services... is this much different? Again...talking macro here, not addressing your individual scenario.

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Originally Posted by GUSHI

Gistok did you get it repaired? Was it repairable or did AAA make it a total loss.

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Gushi, I changed my previous post... check it out... it'll get repaired soon.

Yes AAA wanted to total it, but I said no way.

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Originally Posted by Vox

I don't see any damage on the Neon worth calling the cops over. It's 10 years old.

You don't have full coverage on that thing, do you? And you are wasting time complaining about a fee? Man, if I had your money...

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I see nothing wrong with Gistok standing up for what is right; likewise, I feel no great need to instruct Gistok on how he should spend his own money. The question is why you feel the compunction to wonder about his insurance habits. In a region where a large number of folks roll dirty, I'd think you be a tad more generous.

On the central subject of police and fire departments charging for their services: I can understand why a cash-strapped city would charge reasonable fees. Whenever a gravel hauler flips it's load, or a gas tanker cracks open; the clean-ups costs are pretty hefty. I'm disinclined to pay for those incidents.

But a road sign? Don't think so.

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Originally Posted by Vox

I'm assuming that is a flat rate fee that they charge everyone. Fight it in court? SCS does the same thing to non-residents on I-94. Why aren't you complaining about that?

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SCS does NOT do the same with non-residents [[unless you need EMS).... I checked with them this week.

As for fighting this in court... it's not a civil or criminal matter [[no ticket was issued). The worst that can happen is that it shows up on my credit report.

When I went down to visit the police station in February [[after getting the bill)... I would likely have paid for the actual cost of filling out the paperwork and the 30 seconds it took them to look at the car. But once I got wind from the Detroit News that the Assistant Police Chief said it was my fault [[contrary to the actual police report, and AAA's interpretation of the report that I wasn't at fault)... I refuse to pay anything... since I wasn't at fault.... and paying up would admit to being at fault.

It's not worth hiring a lawyer over either. But I will pursue it with the State Attorney General's office.

Thanks Gnome... ironically the roadsign [[at Brittany & 10 Mile)... sustained absolutely NO damage... not even a slight lean. It was a reinforced sign that had the crossroads at the top, and then some message about entering Eastpointe [[no parking 3AM-5AM or something like that).

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Originally Posted by gnome

I see nothing wrong with Gistok standing up for what is right; likewise, I feel no great need to instruct Gistok on how he should spend his own money. The question is why you feel the compunction to wonder about his insurance habits. In a region where a large number of folks roll dirty, I'd think you be a tad more generous.

On the central subject of police and fire departments charging for their services: I can understand why a cash-strapped city would charge reasonable fees. Whenever a gravel hauler flips it's load, or a gas tanker cracks open; the clean-ups costs are pretty hefty. I'm disinclined to pay for those incidents.

But a road sign? Don't think so.

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I suppose that I felt that the insurance costs are far outweighing any benefit he may get from the crash of the car. Why would you care anyway?

Fyi- if its just a bumper cover and a absorber. You can probally get those parts at a junkyard for less 100.00 total.[[just helped my neighbor do it on his Mercury, Bought a used cover painted the same color as his car.)Also they are pretty eash to switch up.

Further evidence that America has become a Banana Republic.
I expect that Aston Martin sales will continue to be outstanding in NYC.
The coffers need to be filled to boost bond worth.
Next up: mule transportation will be regulated.

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Originally Posted by GUSHI

Fyi- if its just a bumper cover and a absorber. You can probally get those parts at a junkyard for less 100.00 total.[[just helped my neighbor do it on his Mercury, Bought a used cover painted the same color as his car.)Also they are pretty eash to switch up.

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Thanks Gushi... that's pretty much what I'll end up doing... just been to busy lately to take it in for servicing.

AAA was going to total it and give me $2200.... I took the non-total settlement of $2009 cash, and the stipulation is that I cannot have collision or comprehensive insurance on the car... no biggie.

I checked online, and for $2200 I could have gotten a car with 3 times the milleage on it. No way... a driveable car with a good engine and low mileage is way better.

I'll just have to avoid driving thru the Grosse Pointes [[especially the Shores) until I get the bumper replaced... they'd find a reason to pull me over [[even though both headlights and all turn lights are fully functional). The Grosse Pointes will spot that car as belonging to someone "who doesn't live here"....

You could of argued with AAA they should of paid you extra for the low mileage. Sheridan I think thats how its spelled in Warren use to have a huge Chrysle selection you could also try Ernies in Mt Clemens usually pretty cheap. I use to work at a body shop.

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Originally Posted by Vox

I suppose that I felt that the insurance costs are far outweighing any benefit he may get from the crash of the car. Why would you care anyway?

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I care because I see no reason why you would pillory Gistok for his individual choices; however, just for you to know, I believe the car belonged to Gistok's mom - who just passed away a short time ago - so really if you want to take her to task, by all means, go for it. Of course you might look a bit heartless, but that is your individual right.

Gnome, mom would have been appalled had I let them total it... especially since she kept it immaculate for nearly 9 years [[even though she couldn't drive the last 3). She kept wondering year after year why her batteries kept draining... but that was due to the juice required for the alarm system when the car didn't get driven sometimes for months at a time.

But what amazes me is the low maintenance costs and gas mileage... I drove to Higgins Lake 2 years ago on 1/2 tank of gas.

In retrospect... I probably should have dropped the comprehensive/collision on it... not paying attention to its' blue book value. But it was in such good condition, my heart was in the right spot, although my brain likely wasn't.

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Originally Posted by gnome

I care because I see no reason why you would pillory Gistok for his individual choices; however, just for you to know, I believe the car belonged to Gistok's mom - who just passed away a short time ago - so really if you want to take her to task, by all means, go for it. Of course you might look a bit heartless, but that is your individual right.

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Heartless? Not really, but the fact that she once owned the car is rather irrelevant. If he said that he was attached to the car, then maybe a different story. I still don't understand the facination.

I believe that there may have been some clerical miscommunication to be charged with this on a call such as this, but here's another theory. Perhaps that they sent out a car to actually inspect the scene of the accident, to see whether the pole itself had some damage or not?

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Originally Posted by Gistok

Gnome, mom would have been appalled had I let them total it... especially since she kept it immaculate for nearly 9 years [[even though she couldn't drive the last 3). She kept wondering year after year why her batteries kept draining... but that was due to the juice required for the alarm system when the car didn't get driven sometimes for months at a time.

But what amazes me is the low maintenance costs and gas mileage... I drove to Higgins Lake 2 years ago on 1/2 tank of gas.

In retrospect... I probably should have dropped the comprehensive/collision on it... not paying attention to its' blue book value. But it was in such good condition, my heart was in the right spot, although my brain likely wasn't.

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Which is what that I was getting at in the first place.

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Originally Posted by Vox

I believe that there may have been some clerical miscommunication to be charged with this on a call such as this, but here's another theory. Perhaps that they sent out a car to actually inspect the scene of the accident, to see whether the pole itself had some damage or not?

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Vox... when I went back to complain at the police station... I was told that this was a generic "form letter" bill sent out.

Apparently the fact that I went to the police station to report the accident versus having officers coming out to the scene was of no consequences to the police department. They obviously charged a flat rate... regardless of the circumstances or time spent... and that was what I took exception to [[besides the asst. chief saying I was at fault, when the police report mentions no such claim).

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Originally Posted by Vox

Which is what that I was getting at in the first place.

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True... but how is me having comprehensive/collision on an old car of any relevance to the police station billing issue that this thread is about?

Even if I weren't concerned with getting my deductible waived [[which it was)... it was still my duty to file a police report.

Vox, I don't feel it is right to beat-up a guy who is fighting the good fight; guess you feel differently. Looks like we'll just have to disagree on this subject.

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Originally Posted by Gistok

but if you were walking down the street or were on a bus and were either robbed or accosted... do you think you should have to pay a fee when you reporrted it to a police department simply by walking into their station to report it? Probably not!

Police departments are there to provide services to the PUBLIC... whether they ride their bike, walk, take public transit OR drive. Differentiating fees based on your mode of transportation is absurd.

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Yes, I support paying for the services I use.

Then again, my bias towards economical transit is named after economical transit for a reason. I avoid our government run mass motoring system in part because I feel I can better decide where to direct my money.

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Originally Posted by DetroitDad

Yes, I support paying for the services I use.

Then again, my bias towards economical transit is named after economical transit for a reason. I avoid our government run mass motoring system in part because I feel I can better decide where to direct my money.

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I agree that one should be paying for the services one uses. I think that people have gotten used to a free ride for so long, that the shock of actually paying for a service that was expected to be free is startling. I noted that on FOX 2 yesterday, another guy was interviewed on the same subject. The chief of police was also interviewed, and his stance was [[from what I could figure out) that since non-residents don't pay taxes in their city, that they should be made to bear the costs of services they use.

And DetroitDad, isn't a bus a government run mass motoring system as well?

Funny thing is that you folks ARE already paying taxes for services.... a lot of the taxes you pay to the state go to municipal governments as revenue sharing.... sounds like some of you feel "undertaxed"... I sure that most people would disagree with that... and feel like they're being "double taxed"...

Here's an excerpt from today's Detroit News Opinion Page that might give you pause...

Editorial: Dump the crash fees

Extra charges for accident investigations by local police and fire agencies are unfair and antagonize citizens

The Detroit News

Police and fire protection are the essential local services expected by citizens. If your taxes don't pay for those basics, what do they pay for? Yet a handful of communities are now charging "crash fees" in which nonresidents are charged for accident investigations or other services. That's not right.
The Detroit News on Thursday recounted the story of St. Clair Shores resident Gary Istok, who received a bill from Eastpointe for $327.35 for a police investigation of his one-car fender-bender. While Eastpointe officials contend that only nonresidents who are found to be at fault in accidents are charged, Istok says he was not at fault and points to the fact that his auto insurance company waived his deductible.

The details of Istok's case aside, the fact is that citizens passing through cities or townships do not expect to have to pay a special fee if they require the aid of a police and fire department.
Residents pay local operating millages, and in some cases special police and fire taxes, to support their own municipality's public safety services. For some cities to expect such citizens to then make additional payments for such services if they are out of their locality seems unfair.
This is especially true since all residents pay state taxes, a large portion of which are then returned to localities in the form of revenue sharing. So all citizens can be seen as funding a portion of all local government through their state taxes.

From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20110401/...#ixzz1IHubCS00

Now I can understand that some circumstances should require compensation to towns and cities... such as when an oil tanker truck flips over on the freeway and requires extensive Fire vehicles to put out the flames, and may require additional manpower [[or overtime).

But for doing what a police department is paid to do, such as handle accident reports... I think that becomes a blatant tax increase on all of us. Or perhaps, unless there are injuries... police response at accident scenes should be waived altogether... since we're a "no fault state" anyway... and we already have the highest auto insurance in the country [[per another report). This just adds to our already burdensome tax system.

One other thing... I didn't become the "poster boy" for this debate because I disagree with the charges... I got mad because I was being charged for things THAN NEVER HAPPENED. In private industry... that is called FRAUD.

When I go to the Police Station, spend 15 minutes making out a traffic report, and 30 seconds to have an officer come outside to check my car... and then write an police report that does NOT mention me at fault [[which is why AAA waived my deductilble)... that's one thing...

But when the Eastpointe Police then send out a bill that out and out LIES and says that an officer was at the accident scene for up to an hour... then that constitutes fraud from a public government entity. And then to have the Eastpointe Police Department come out and contradict the police report and said that I was at fault... that constitutes a LIE on top of FRAUD.

All the other bruhaha over this stems for people feeling that they're being over taxed [[which I can understand). But that was not the nature of my initial complaint... I was just pointing out that there's some shady things going on in Eastpointe and wanted to warn others about it. No more, no less.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_locald...ings-raise-ire

Gistok, your brush with fame continues. You made the Yahoo news headlines.