U.S. Senator Jim Webb, D-Va., penned a letter to D.C. Mayor Vince Gray on Friday decrying the District’s alleged policy of arresting drivers for having expired vehicle registration tags.
“While drivers should be held accountable for such minor infractions, there is absolutely no justification for jailing citizens whose only offense is an expired tag. If true, I hope you will agree that this is a waste of the limited financial resources which the District should be directing toward fighting serious crime,” Webb wrote.
AAA Mid-Atlantic also expressed concern over about the alleged arrests, calling them “ridiculous.”
Police spokeswoman Gwendolyn Crump told The Associated Press early Friday that officers are sworn to enforce laws that are on the books. She said the city allows for a grace period and many officers use further discretion.
Crump said concerns with the law should be addressed with city legislators.
