Thanks to the TaxProf blog, I got wind of this story on MSN. Evidently, many municipalities are starting to charge people for police and ambulance services. Here is an excerpt from the piece.
“Imagine you’re cruising down the road when you hit a patch of black ice and slide into a guardrail. A passing motorist calls 911. Soon firetrucks and police arrive.
Weeks later, a $1,400 bill does, too — for the cost of the police and firefighters who answered the call. What’s worse, it’s not covered by insurance, and it might scar your credit if you ignore it.
Sound implausible? It’s happening in a number of towns, cities and counties in at least 24 states. And given today’s cratering economy (and property-tax revenue), more strapped local governments may be tempted to authorize so-called accident response fees.
Private vendors that promote such programs show up at city council meetings and police and fire chief conventions with model ordinances and fee schedules in hand. The vendors typically take a 10% cut of what’s recovered.”
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