Pinellas Park to add state offenses to vehicle‑impound ordinance to target dangerous driving

PINELLAS PARK, Fla. — The Pinellas Park Police Department recommended and the City Council unanimously approved expanding the city’s vehicle‑impound ordinance to include several state offenses, the department said Tuesday.

A police representative told the council the change would add offenses such as dangerous and excessive speeding, leaving the scene with injury, felony firearm possession, possession of certain short‑barrel rifles or shotguns outside National Firearms Act rules, and fleeing or attempting to elude an officer. The department said the additions aim to enhance public safety by allowing officers to remove vehicles used to facilitate serious offenses and to better target repeat offenders.

Council discussion focused on clarifying the short‑barrel firearm language and whether the new items would create operational impacts. The police representative said the change expands the list of Florida statutes that can be enforced under the city ordinance and would not require new operational resources.

The council adopted the ordinance on second and final reading by unanimous vote.