August 3, 2011
Throughout The State of Iowa - A communication broadcast was received today in reference to a rumor that has been running around Marshall County as well as the rest of the state of Iowa this past year. Some parts of the rumor have even involve individuals claiming they know of citizens who have received citations for the offense.
The story told is that the Iowa State Legislature passed a new law making it a violation to leave your removable hitch in the receiver of your vehicle when not in use.
The Marshall County Sheriff's Office has checked all possible resources and we've been unable to find such a law in existence. Today, a state-wide broadcast went out to all law enforcement agencies clearly stating that this has been a rumor.
See below:
ATTN: SHERIFFS AND POLICE CHIEFS
LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND OFFICERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE HAVE BEEN RECEIVING NUMEROUS INQUIRIES ABOUT THE PURPORTED ENACTMENT OF NEW LAW THAT REQUIRES A PERSON OPERATING A VEHICLE TO REMOVE THE BALL AND BALL MOUNT FROM A TRAILER HITCH RECEIVER WHEN NOT TOWING A TRAILER. THERE WAS NO LEGISLATION ENACTED IN 2010 OR 2011 ADDRESSING TRAILER HITCH BALLS OR BALL MOUNTS. IT IS NOT NOW AND WAS NOT PREVIOUSLY ILLEGAL TO LEAVE A BALL OR BALL MOUNT IN A TRAILER HITCH RECEIVER.
IN SEPTEMBER OF 2010, THE RUMOR BEGAN CIRCULATING IN SOUTHEAST IOWA AND SOUTH CENTRAL IOWA. OVER THE LAST 11 MONTHS, THERE HAVE BEEN PERIODS OF SEVERAL MONTHS WHEN THE RUMOR APPEARED TO HAVE LOST MOMENTUM; HOWEVER, THE RUMOR HAS RECENTLY RESURFACED WITH NEW ENERGY IN A NUMBER OF PARTS OF THE STATE.
AN IOWA STATE PATROL TROOPER WAS SUCCESSFUL IN TRACING THE RUMOR TO ITS SOURCE. THE RUMOR APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN THE RESULT OF A PRANK INVOLVING BOGUS HOMEMADE CITATIONS LEFT ON VEHICLES WITH THE BALL OR BALL MOUNT LEFT IN THE TRAILER HITCH RECEIVER WHEN NO TRAILER WAS ATTACHED.
AUTH: IOWA DEPT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
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About Marshall County Sheriff's Office
The Marshall County, Iowa Sheriff's Office is lead by Sheriff Ted G. Kamatchus. Sheriff Kamatchus is committed to keeping communities and neighborhoods safe in Marshall County.
For additional information or a sample copy, contact:
Sheriff Ted G. Kamatchus
Marshall County Sheriff's Office
641-754-6380
Fax 641-754-6325
Sheriff@co.marshall.ia.us
www.marshallcountysheriff.com
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