The Daviess County Sheriff’s Office is accommodating a sharp rise in hail-damaged vehicle inspections by opening a temporary drive-through site at the old Malco theater.
The inspection site, located at 5333 Frederica Street, will operate from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on April 16 and again on April 23. Signage will direct traffic through the lot without interfering with neighboring businesses such as Cracker Barrel, according to a release.
The service is intended to ease demand following a March 15 hailstorm that led to an unprecedented spike in inspection requests.
“Lines at both the Sheriff’s Office as well as the Clerk’s Office have been historically long since the March 15 hailstorm,” Sheriff Brad Youngman said. “By adding this off-site location, we hope to give people an alternative to coming downtown and waiting in line, and we are also hoping that the extended hours will help with people who have a difficult time getting here during business hours.”
Those seeking a hail damage inspection must be in the vehicle being inspected, with any glass already repaired if needed. They must also bring:
- A valid driver’s license
- The vehicle title
- A printed letter from the insurance company on letterhead stating the vehicle was “totaled due to hail damage,” including the vehicle’s VIN. (Digital copies will not be accepted.)
The fee is $15. Only cash or checks will be accepted at the Malco site. Credit and debit cards can still be used for inspections at the Daviess County Courthouse.
While both the Courthouse and the Frederica Street locations can accommodate passenger vehicles, enclosed trailers, and RVs, Youngman said larger vehicles may be better suited for the drive-through setup.
DCSO staff have been processing more than 200 inspections per day since mid-March, far beyond the usual 30–40 daily average. In response, the agency has added staff and handheld radios to increase efficiency.
“We are making adjustments to ensure that we are giving the best service possible during these difficult times,” Youngman said.
