(a) The police officer who orders a motor vehicle to be taken into custody and towed by private towing agencies from the scene where found, shall make a report of the general condition of the vehicle and a list of its contents found in and about the interior. Such report shall be made in quadruplicate at the time the order or request to tow is made, upon forms prescribed by the Division of Police. The original and one (1) copy of the report shall be kept in the files of the Division, one (1) copy shall be delivered to the person who is to tow the vehicle and one (1) copy shall be delivered to the owner of the vehicle at the time of release. The person who tows the vehicle shall sign all copies of the report prior to removing the vehicle from the scene. However, in the case of junk, abandoned or stripped vehicles, in the case of vehicles towed away under the emergency snow ban Section 451.17, or in the case of vehicles towed to City lots, it shall not be necessary that the police officer remain at the scene until the arrival of the towing agency. In any case of urgent police necessity, the officer may leave the scene, but shall return immediately after disposition of the emergency, or if the vehicle has been towed away, he or she shall go immediately to the towing agency, reinspect the vehicle and obtain the signature of the tow truck operator or the agency representative.
(b) No person shall remove tires, parts, equipment or anything of value from a motor vehicle taken into tow.
(c) The tow truck operator and the agency which he or she represents shall then be held responsible for the safe keeping of such vehicle until such time as it is reclaimed by the owner. If the vehicle is not maintained in the same condition as when received or has had anything detached or removed from it the towing agency shall be liable and shall compensate the owner accordingly.
(d) A conviction under this section or failure to fulfill this responsibility to properly safe keep such vehicle or to compensate for damage or loss shall result in the forfeiture of any agency’s right and authority to conduct any further towing transaction for the Division of Police.
(Ord. No. 1684-76. Passed 6-29-76, eff. 7-6-76)