(A) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the Police Department, from any information or reports in its files received from any source whatsoever, shall promptly, on demand therefor, furnish to any person who has sustained any loss or damage, by reason of the injury or death of any person, or damage to property caused by or resulting from the operation, maintenance or use of any vehicle upon any public street or highway of this state, the following information:
(1) The name and address of the owner and operator of any vehicle involved in the accident;
(2) The license number and description of any such vehicle involved in the accident;
(3) The time and place such accident occurred;
(4) The names and addresses of any persons injured or killed in the accident; and
(5) The names and addresses of any persons who were witnesses to the accident.
(B) Any person so entitled to such information may obtain the same from the Police Department, either in person or through his duly authorized agent or attorney. The agent or attorney shall first file with the Police Department a verified, written authorization therefor, signed by such person so entitled to such information.
(C) When such information is furnished by means of a duplicating machine copy of the investigator's report of the accident, the Police Department shall be entitled to charge a fee in an amount of not less than $3 for each such report. The Police Department shall charge $1 per page for pages photocopied in excess of two for any such report.
(D) Such fee shall be deposited in a separate account, to be known as the accident report account and it may be expended at the discretion of the Chief of Police for any Department purpose reasonably related to the keeping of accident reports and records, and the prevention of street and highway accidents.
(E) If the Prosecuting Attorney of the county wherein such accident occurred, or the City Attorney, shall advise the Department that in his opinion such information should not be released to any person and shall cite as his reason therefore that criminal charges have been filed or in contemplation of being filed against any person as a result of the accident, the Department shall thereupon withhold any such information until its release is approved by such Prosecuting Attorney or City Attorney.
(Ord. 14-1981, passed 10-19-81)