When the Police Department has knowledge of or discovers or finds any abandoned motor vehicle, any junked motor vehicle, old vehicle tire or inoperative or abandoned household appliance on either public or private property, the Department shall take the same into its custody and possession, and for this purpose the Department may employ its own personnel, equipment and facilities or, subject to the availability of funds for such purpose, may hire persons, equipment and facilities for the purpose of removing, preserving and storing abandoned motor vehicles, junked motor vehicles, old vehicle tires or inoperative or abandoned household appliances; provided, that before taking any abandoned motor vehicle or junked motor vehicle into custody and possession from private property, the Police Department shall give the private property owner and the owner of the motor vehicle, if ascertainable, thirty days' notice by registered or certified mail that such action will be taken unless the motor vehicle is restored to a functional use.
(1976 Code Sec. 18-115)