Lakewood Police Department Policy and Procedure Inoperable/Unlicensed Vehicles on Public Property		Effective Date: 07/16/2020
	Policy Number: PP-4745 - Inoperable/Unlicensed Vehicles on Public Property

 B. Procedure

1. When a vehicle is reported as inoperable or unlicensed on public property, the call-taker shall obtain information necessary for a follow up to be made. It shall be determined if the vehicle is suspicious or abandoned. If the vehicle is suspicious, it shall be dispatched as such. A vehicle parked and limiting access may be towed  immediately.

2. Jefferson County Communications Center (JeffCom) shall check for registration and wants, and a CAD entry shall be made and entered as a pending call for the Community Service Officer.

3. A Community Service Officer CSO/agent shall complete a 24-hour Abandoned Vehicle Courtesy Notice for each inoperable vehicle complaint.

4. The assigned CSO/agent shall attempt to locate the vehicle. If the vehicle qualifies as inoperable or is not currently licensed, the assigned CSO/agent shall complete the remainder of the courtesy card and request a case report number.

5. The vehicle shall be marked per procedure for 24 hours before being towed.

6. If a vehicle is determined to be inoperable on public right–of-way, under section 10.33.030 (b), the owner need not be contacted prior to   towing.

7. If the vehicle is still at the same location 24 hours after being marked, the CSO/agent shall have the vehicle towed to OPG. The CSO/agent shall follow the impoundment procedure set forth for vehicles abandoned on public property.

8. No vehicle may be towed as inoperable on public right-of-way under Section 10.33.030(b), unless the vehicle is not capable of being promptly started and driven in a safe operating condition under its own power or does not have a current license plate. The fact that a vehicle is inoperable may be shown where a vehicle has no motor, is up on blocks, has missing tires and wheels, or any flat tires. The definition of inoperable by ordinance also includes the following: the vehicle lacks one or more of the following items, which is otherwise standard factory equipment on any particular model: windshield, side or rear window, door, fender, head lamp, muffler, wheel, properly inflated tire. Any motor vehicle or trailer that does not have a current license plate and validation sticker lawfully affixed thereto is also considered inoperable and may be towed.