A new impound lot is now operational in Jefferson.

Police Chief Mark Clouse says when a tow service came to recover a vehicle from an accident or from their impound lot, if the owner didn’t pay their tow bill, the vehicle was then turned over to the tow service. However, Clouse points out problems the tow service was having.

“Scrap prices were down to the point that a tow company was actually losing money on those vehicles that we requested them to tow in the name of public safety.”

He describes how the new impound lot located at North Locust and East Perry streets will help alleviate issues going forward.

“We as law enforcement are able to put these vehicles back in service and back on the road where a tow company cannot. Which the way we would plan on doing that would be a public auction would be held on the vehicles.”

Clouse notes that this isn’t to be a money making venture, but a break-even process for all involved. The original design was for a 100-foot-by-100-foot plot of land that’s owned by the City of Jefferson. However, the site has grown to 150-foot-by-130-foot space. The City agreed to give the land and install electricity to the site for surveillance equipment. Greene County agreed to pay for the white rock and fencing.

The two entities will further discuss what to do with the added cost for materials to the impound lot.