(a) Police officers are directed to ascertain which towing company a disabled motorist, under Section 410.02(g), wishes to use in having his or her vehicle towed to safety, and, if possible, shall so notify such towing company. Private towing companies will be recommended by police officers only when requested to do so by the disabled motorist.
(b) The police officer who orders a motor vehicle to be taken into custody and towed by a private towing agency 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. The person who tows the vehicle shall sign the report prior to removing the vehicle from the scene. However, in the case of junk, abandoned or stripped vehicles, and in the case of vehicles towed away under the emergency snow ban, it shall not be necessary that the police 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. If the vehicle has been towed away by an agency designated by the Municipality, the police officer shall go immediately to the towing agency, reinspect the vehicle and obtain the signature of the tow truck operator or the agency representative.
(c) No person shall remove tires, parts, equipment or anything of value from a motor vehicle taken into tow.
(d) The tow truck operator and the agency which he or she represents shall then be held responsible for the safekeeping 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.
(e) A conviction under this section for failure to fulfill the responsibility to properly safekeep a vehicle or to compensate for damage or loss shall result in the forfeiture of the agency’s right and authority to conduct any further towing transactions for the Police Department.
(f) All tow truck operators shall notify the Police Department when towing a vehicle from the Municipality.
(Ord. 1982-22. Passed 4-14-82.)