The Police Department of the Town of Woodbury has found that in the
past many vehicles which are abandoned within the town are not claimed by
the owners within the time limitations provided by § 1224 of the
Vehicle and Traffic Law. This section of the Vehicle and Traffic Law allows
for the sale of an abandoned vehicle by auction 10 days from the date notice
was given to the owner that the vehicle has been recovered, is considered
abandoned and will be sold at auction. The Vehicle and Traffic Law also provides
that the abandoned vehicle may be converted to the Town of Woodbury's
use, provided that the town has adopted an appropriate local law.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
ABANDONED VEHICLE
A motor vehicle is considered abandoned if left unattended:
A.
Without number plates for more than six hours on any highway or other
public place.
B.
With number plates for more than 24 hours on any highway or other public
place where parking is not permitted.
C.
With number plates for more than 48 hours after parking becomes illegal,
when left on a part of a highway or public place where parking was previously
legally permitted.
D.
With or without plates for more than 96 hours on someone's property
without permission of the property owner.
If an abandoned vehicle, at the time of abandonment, has no number plates
affixed and is of a wholesale value, taking into consideration the condition
of the vehicle, of $750 or less, ownership shall immediately vest in the Woodbury
Police Department, and title to the vehicle shall vest in accordance with
applicable law and regulations; provided, however, that the Woodbury Police
Department shall not be required to obtain title to an abandoned vehicle that
is subject to the provisions of this section if the vehicle will be sold or
otherwise disposed of as junk or salvage, dismantled for use other than as
a motor vehicle or otherwise destroyed.
The Woodbury Police Department is hereby authorized pursuant to the Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1224, Subdivision 6(a), to convert to its own use those abandoned vehicles not affected by §§
292-2 and
292-3 of this chapter for use by the Woodbury Police Department in its law enforcement activities. However, the total number of vehicles converted in any calendar year may not exceed 1% of the Woodbury Police Department's unclaimed abandoned vehicles not affected by §
292-3 of this chapter or two such vehicles, whichever is greater.