ABANDONED VEHICLE

1. Investigation

A. Vehicle on roadway:

Abandoned vehicles left on the roadway or bridges that present a clear danger, hazard or obstruction to others can be towed to protect the vehicles and the safety of the public. Only after every reasonable effort has been made to contact the vehicle owner or person responsible, can the vehicle be towed?

B. If the vehicle is attended, but inoperable and a hazard:

You can assist the operator in removing the vehicle and placing it upon the public right-of-way, temporarily.

1. The vehicle operator may request a towing service to be called from the Sheriff's Office Rotation List or the operator may request a specific towing service.

C. Abandoned stolen vehicles:

• If a vehicle is located and it appears to be a stolen vehicle (ignition has been removed, window broken, hotwired, etc.) The vehicle should be checked and confirmed on GCIC. Contact your supervisor, advise the supervisor of the vehicle and the condition. At the permission of the supervisor, the vehicle may be towed for safekeeping to the tow yard or the sheriff's office impound lot.

D. Abandoned vehicles at other locations:

Abandoned vehicles on county property or county right of ways when there is no danger, hazard, or obstruction to others.

• Contact owner and request they remove their vehicle.
• If vehicle cannot be immediately removed, complete a Notice to Owner of Abandoned Vehicle (Orange Tag). The vehicle can be removed from a controlled access highway/roadway after 24 hours. The vehicle can be removed from a county roadway after 72 hours.

2. Reports

A. Incident Report (if vehicle is removed)

• Vehicle Impoundment / Inventory Report Module
• Notice to Owner of Abandoned Vehicle (Orange Tag)