Upper Moreland car lock fine dropped over backlash

After getting copies of the Constitution, sarcastic suggestions, and "some phone calls that were just purely profanity-screaming," Upper Moreland's police chief has dropped the idea of fining people who fail to lock their cars.

Chief Thomas Nestel hoped to cut crime, but as the unusual idea captured national attention, complaints streamed in that his enforcement plan would open the door - literally - to rights-infringing searches.

He declined requests from CNN and Fox News to appear to discuss the proposal, reportedly tried so far only in parts of Australia.

As outlined at a township meeting Monday, the plan was that a first offense would draw a warning in the form of a flier left on the driver's seat. The doors would then be locked.

Subsequent violations within one year would earn a $25 ticket. The ordinance would be enforced by police or civilian department members checking the doors of autos parked on neighborhood streets - not in residential driveways.

Because thefts from cars are often committed by young drug abusers, such a plan might help drive them out of town, he stated.

But assorted citizens from near and far got riled about their rights. They called or e-mailed the chief.

" 'Fascist pig' was very popular. I've become very comfortable with being called that now," he said.

The attitude perplexes Nestel, since there's wide acceptance of all sorts of minor rules - like how high lawns can grow.

"There are definitely people who have missed the point on this, and they're focusing on the government making law instead of on solving a legitimate problem," he said.

One e-mailer wondered if Upper Moreland was going to fine children for forgetting to wear gloves in winter.

Another wrote that he hoped to get fined so he could sue to try to have the courts toss out such an ordinance.

In a poll on Philly.com, "No fines - and stay out of my car!" was favored by 80 percent of respondents.

Nestel, a 25-year veteran of policing who's working toward his doctorate in criminology at the University of Pennsylvania, argued that the system - including seizing contraband discovered while locking cars or leaving fliers - would be constitutional. The town solicitor didn't disagree, he added.

The public has spoken, which is how democracy is meant to work, Nestel said.

"This isn't a loss for anybody," he said. "I got the word out about the problem and the easy solution."

No Plan B is in the works.

Upper Moreland won't tweet unlocked-car locations to drive the message home. Or leave big signs on unlocked sedans announcing "Laptop Here," he said.