A.
Any vehicle parked in a manner described in § 211-23 may be removed by or under the direction of or at the request of any police officer to a garage or storage place within the limits of the City and impounded therein. Such police officer may use such force as may be necessary to enter such vehicle and cause the same to be placed in a condition to be moved and may employ any reputable person engaged in the business of towing or storing vehicles for such purpose.
B.
Notwithstanding any language herein contained, the
removal and storage of a vehicle pursuant to this chapter and the
payment of the charges specified herein shall in no way relieve or
prevent prosecution for the violation of any provision of the ordinances
of the City of Saco.
The Police Department shall make every effort
to notify, as promptly as possible, the owner of any such vehicle
of its removal from the streets of the City, and as soon as possible,
a written notice that such vehicle has been impounded shall be sent
by the Chief of Police to the owner at his/her last known address
as shown by the records of the Secretary of State. If the owner is
unknown, the Chief of Police shall cause to be published, in any newspaper
of general circulation in the City of Saco, notice of such impounding,
giving the registration number, the motor number and the name, type
and year of the vehicle.
Before the owner of such vehicle or his/her
representative may remove it from the possession of the person towing
or storing it, the owner shall:
A.
Furnish satisfactory evidence of his/her identity
and of his/her ownership of the vehicle to the officer in charge at
the Saco Police Department and to the person having possession of
the vehicle.
B.
Pay to the person having possession of the vehicle
reasonable charges for the towing and storing of the vehicle.
C.
Sign a receipt for the vehicle.
The City Administrator shall establish a schedule
of charges for towing and storage subject to approval of the City
Council, and only those persons agreeing to such schedule shall be
called to remove the vehicle in violation.[1]
A.
If any vehicle with three or more outstanding parking
violations issued by the Police Department is found to be in violation
of any of the City's parking ordinances, it shall be towed at the
owner's expense. The vehicle may be released to the owner or agent
of the owner only when the violations and tow charges are paid.
B.
It will be prima facie evidence that the registered
owner of the vehicle committed the violations.
