Las Cruces leaders working to suspend DWI vehicle seizure ordinance

Las Cruces City Council discussed temporarily putting the brakes on a current city ordinance that allows authorities to seize vehicles of people convicted of a second DWI charge.

Jennifer Vega-Brown, the Las Cruces city attorney, said, a 6-month suspension is under discussion so leaders can devise a plan, with the help of the Las Cruces Police Department, to ramp up safety measures.

“It’s to address the internal efficiencies and process,” said Vega-Brown. “We just want to make sure the community is getting the maximum benefit.”

Las Cruces police Lt. Kiri Daines said changing the ordinance is “almost a public health issue,”

“If we can reduce the amount of crashes and fatalities, and keeps the roadways safer then that’s definitely something that’s a win-win for everybody,” said Daines.

City leaders will meet March 19 to discuss the issue further.

“The point of this is to deter, and prevent DWI crimes,” said Vega-Brown.