San Francisco County is set to enhance its law enforcement capabilities with a new ordinance that will increase vehicle registration fees to fund fingerprint identification programs. During a recent government meeting, officials discussed the proposed amendment to the administrative code, which aims to establish a dedicated police fingerprint identification fund.

The ordinance, presented by Kimmy Woo, Chief Financial Officer of the San Francisco Police Department, proposes a fee increase from the current $1 to $2 for standard vehicle registrations and from $2 to $4 for commercial vehicles, bringing the total to $6 for commercial registrations. These fees will be collected by the Department of Motor Vehicles at the time of registration and will be transmitted to the police department quarterly.

The funds generated will be exclusively used to enhance the automated fingerprint identification system, which is crucial for identifying individuals involved in crimes committed while operating motor vehicles. This initiative aligns with California state law and aims to improve public safety through better law enforcement tools.

Vice Chair Dorsey raised concerns about whether the new fees would fully cover the costs of administering the program. Woo confirmed that the fees would support system maintenance and partial salaries for personnel managing the program. However, Dorsey expressed a desire for potential legislative changes that could allow the city to recover the full costs associated with these programs.

This ordinance marks a significant step in bolstering the resources available to the San Francisco Police Department, ensuring that law enforcement can effectively utilize technology to combat vehicle-related crimes. As the city moves forward with this initiative, the implications for public safety and law enforcement efficiency will be closely monitored.