A. Reasons For Removal: The police department and all members thereof assigned to traffic duty may remove and tow away or have removed and towed away by a commercial towing service any car or other vehicle illegally parked in any place where such parked vehicle creates or constitutes a traffic hazard, blocks the use of a fire hydrant, or obstructs or may obstruct the movement of any emergency vehicle for a period of twenty four (24) consecutive hours. Vehicles parked in any public street or other public place for a period of forty eight (48) consecutive hours, except where otherwise permitted by ordinance, may also be removed or towed away. In addition, any vehicle may be removed or towed away incident to the arrest of the driver for a criminal or traffic offense (e.g., DUI, driving while license suspended, driving without a license, reckless driving, drag racing, etc.). Cars so towed away shall be stored on any village property or in a public garage or parking lot and shall be restored to the owner or operator thereof after payment of the administrative fee set forth below and the expense incurred by the village in removing and storing such vehicles. Nothing in this section relieves the owner or operator of the towed or impounded vehicle from paying any fees assessed by a commercial towing service pursuant to the towing or impoundment of said vehicle. (Ord. 2012-20, 9-11-2012)
B. Towing Procedures:
1. Any vehicle towed to or impounded by the Waterman police department shall not be released to an individual until said person has produced a valid driver's license, proof of ownership of the vehicle and valid insurance for the vehicle, and the payment of a five hundred dollar ($500.00) administrative fee. (Ord. 2015-07, 6-9-2015)
2. Within ten (10) days after a vehicle has been impounded, notice of impoundment shall be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the registered owner of the vehicle, at the last address reflected in the records of the secretary of state. The notice shall state that the owner has the right to a review of the tow and impound upon request and that if the vehicle is not claimed within thirty (30) days from the date of the notice the vehicle may be sold or otherwise disposed of in accordance with the Illinois vehicle code.
3. Upon written notice to the owner of the vehicle, the chief of police will review the appropriateness of the tow and impound and the fee charged to determine its appropriateness.
4. Within seven (7) days of the decision of the chief of police, an owner may appeal said decision in writing to the mayor, and a hearing shall be held within seven (7) business days. (Ord. 2012-20, 9-11-2012)