Police officers are authorized to provide for the removal and impounding of a vehicle under the following circumstances:
(a) When any vehicle is left unattended upon any street, bridge or causeway, or in any tunnel, or is so illegally parked as to constitute a definite hazard or obstruction to the normal movement of traffic.
(b) When any vehicle has been left unattended or abandoned in excess of 72 consecutive hours upon any street or other public property or upon any private property without the permission of the owner or person in charge of such private property.
(c) When any vehicle has been stolen or operated without the consent of the owner.
(d) When any vehicle displays illegal license plates or fails to display the lawfully required license plates.
(e) When any vehicle has been used in or connected with the commission of a felony.
(f) When any vehicle has been damaged or wrecked so as to be inoperable or violates the equipment provisions of this Traffic Code whereby its continued operation would constitute a condition hazardous to life, limb or property.
(g) When any vehicle is left unattended due to the removal of an ill, injured or arrested operator.
(h) When any vehicle is found for which two or more citation tags for violations of this Traffic Code have been issued and the owner or operator thereof has failed to respond to such citation tags as lawfully required.
(i) When any vehicle is illegally parked upon any street between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 6:00 a.m. on any day.
The Police Department shall forthwith notify the registered vehicle owner of the fact of such removal and impounding, reasons therefor and the place of storage. Any person desiring to redeem an impounded vehicle shall appear at the Police Department to furnish satisfactory evidence of identity and ownership or right to possession. Prior to issuance of a release form, the claimant, owner or operator shall either pay the amount due for any fines for violations on account of which such vehicle was impounded or, as the court may require, furnish written promise or post a bond in an amount set by the court, to appear to answer to such violations.
The pound operator shall release such vehicle upon receipt of the release form and payment of all towage and storage charges.
(Ord. 659. Passed 11-4-76.)