[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Garfield 4-2-1991
by Ord. No. 2067 (Ch. 235 of the 1979 Code). Amendments noted
where applicable.]
Whenever the City shall take possession of a motor vehicle found to
be abandoned upon a public street or other City property, the Police Department,
pursuant to N.J.S.A. 39:10A-1, shall immediately report the same to the Director
of the Division of Motor Vehicles for verification of ownership and the National
Automobile Theft Bureau.
Fifteen business days for junked vehicles and 20 business days otherwise
after the Police Department is satisfied that notification has been received
or efforts to locate such owner or other person having legal right to said
vehicle have been exhausted, the Police Department shall apply to the Director
of the Division of Motor Vehicles for a junk title certificate.
Upon notice to the owner, holder of any security interest or other person
having a legal right thereto and after publication pursuant to law, the abandoned
motor vehicle may be sold at public auction pursuant to statute.
When the Police Department determines that a motor vehicle abandoned
upon a public street or other City property is incapable of being operated
safely or put in a safe operational condition, except at a cost in excess
of its value, it may, after notice as otherwise prescribed herein, apply for
a junk title certificate and sell said vehicle at public auction pursuant
to law.
Where the Police Department directs a custodian to store a vehicle abandoned
on a public street or other City property, such custodian may apply to the
Police Department to dispose of such vehicle pursuant to this chapter.
A.
A request by such a custodian shall be in writing and
include the following information:
(1)
The date, time, place and circumstances under which such
a vehicle was taken into custody.
(2)
The condition of the vehicle at the time it was taken.
(3)
The present location of the vehicle.
(4)
Efforts, if any, to locate its owner or other person
having a legal right to the vehicle.
(5)
Storage fees.
B.
An application by such a custodian shall include a fee
of $7.
Upon the request of a custodian, the Police Department may, pursuant
to this chapter and N.J.S.A. 39:10A-1 et seq., dispose of the vehicle at public
auction, applying the proceeds as follows:
