Checkpoints in Escondido have been cause for controversy and scrutiny, resulting in change. There are accusations ranging from claims of racial profiling to violations of peoples constitutional rights. In recent years, the Escondido City Council and Escondido Police Department have had higher rates of impounded vehicles as a result of checkpoints than other cities.

From 2005-2007, the EPD impounded 1,245 vehicles compared to neighboring cities like Oceanside only impounding 296 vehicles. Checkpoints are funded through federal grants which give approximately $212,000 dollars to Escondido. On average they receive 200,000 dollars annually and make 400,000 dollars in revenue.

 The city receives 180 dollars from each impoundment. The estimated revenue of checkpoints in recent years has been as high as 1,000,000 dollars. Escondido has one of the highest impoundment rates in North County. On average, for every DUI arrest, the EPD impounds 11.6 vehicles, a majority of which are driven by illegal immigrants
“I think its really unfair that they’re making money off the checkpoint that are suppost to catch drunk drivers but instead just deports people,” Junior Laura Hernandez said.
Money received from checkpoint revenues goes to general funds for the city. Included in these funds are wages, salaries, and health benefits of city employees.
Check points are prevalent in neighborhoods with large Hispanic populations and rarely occur in higher class areas.
Cars are impounded when their drivers are unlicensed, or drunk. The average cost of having a vehicle towed is between 1,000 and 4,000 dollars. Towed cars can be claimed for 30 days after impoundment. Failure to retrieve the cars results in loss of the cars to auction.
 Some call into question the use of checkpoints to make sure drivers are licensed. Moreover, many believe that checkpoints are unfair to unlicensed Hispanic drivers.

“I understand how some people from Mexico would come here for a better life. I myself would do the same in their situation, but at the same time you’re setting yourself up if you’re driving illegally,” health education teacher Ben Gravenkamp said.
Stopping a car to ascertain driving qualifications is a direct violation the Fourth Amendment and vehicle code 14607.6 section B which states “a peace officer shall not stop a vehicle for the sole reason of determining weather the driver is properly licensed,” This applies to all drivers regardless of their citizenship.
On Oct. 8, Gov. Jerry Brown singed several new bills into law, one of which is AB 353 which prohibits police at checkpoints from seizing cars solely because the driver is unlicensed. Officers still maintain the right to issues citations the unlicensed drivers.
  Drivers that are unlicensed are to have their cars stored at the checkpoint rather than being towed. This will save the driver and owner of the car hundreds of dollars in fees, but if the car remains at the checkpoint after the maximum amount of time, the vehicle will be towed at the owner’s expense.
  In order to avoid impoundment unlicensed drivers have to get a licensed driver to pick up the vehicle and (given that the owner of the car allows this).
The EPD did not publicly endorse or attack the new bill which will make the checkpoints less profitable. The bill will go into affect on Jan. 1 2012

“I just hope that the new bill does make a difference. My uncle was deported because of these checkpoints and all he was doing was coming home from work. I hate the checkpoint I truly believe that they were as racial motivated just as much a is motivated by money” said Senior Carlos Merno.