[Ord. 641, 10/9/1978; as added by Ord. 785, 5/13/1996, § 1]
This Part is enacted under authority of § 6109(a)(22)
of the Vehicle Code and gives authority to the Town to remove and
impound those vehicles which are parked in a designated tow-away zone
and in violation of parking regulations set forth in this Chapter.
Vehicles which have been abandoned (as defined by the Vehicle Code)
or which are parked in such a manner as to interfere with traffic
or pose a hazard to others may be towed in accordance with the provisions
of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code.
[Ord. 641, 10/9/9, 1978; as added by Ord. 785, 5/13/1996, § 1]
The Town shall have authority to remove and impound, or to order the removal and impounding, of any vehicle parked overtime or otherwise illegally under circumstances as described in § 15-902, above; provided, however, that no vehicle shall be removed or impounded except in accordance with the provisions of this Part and the applicable provisions of the Vehicle Code.
[Ord. 641, 10/9/1978; as added by Ord. 785, 5/13/1996, § 1]
Council may, from time to time, designate certain streets and/or
parking lots as tow-away zones. Such designations shall be accomplished
by resolution and shall become effective upon the posting of appropriate
signs identifying the designated tow-away zone and stating that vehicles
may be towed for violation of the stated parking regulations.
[Ord. 641, 10/9/1978; as added by Ord. 785, 5/13/1996, § 1;
as amended by Ord. 920, 2/9/2009, § 17]
Removing of vehicles for impoundment under this Part shall be
done only by approved towing operators who shall be designated, from
time to time, by Town Council. Every such towing operator shall submit
evidence to Council that it has acquired liability insurance in the
amount of not less than $1,000,000 affording liability coverage for
towing operations conducted under the auspices of the Town. The impoundment
of vehicles under this Part shall be done only by approved storage
garages that shall be designated, from time to time, by Council or
by an impoundment facility maintained by the Town for the storage
of such vehicles. Each approved storage garage shall submit evidence
to Council that it has acquired liability insurance with a limit of
not less than $1,000,000 in order to indemnify owners of impounded
vehicles against loss or damage to those vehicles while in the custody
of the garage keeper for the purpose of towing or storage. Each approved
towing operator and/or storage garage shall submit to Council its
schedule of charges for towing and/or storage of vehicles under this
Part and, following approval thereof by Council, such schedule of
charges shall be adhered to by the approved towing operator or storage
garage. Council shall, from time to time, establish a schedule of
charges for the storage of vehicles at the Town's impoundment facility.
Town Council shall delete from its list of approved towing operators
and/or storage garages any operator or garage that makes any unapproved
charge in connection with any vehicle removed or impounded under this
Part.
[Ord. 641, 10/9/1978; as added by Ord. 785, 5/13/1996, § 1]
Within 12 hours from the time of removal of any vehicle under
this Part, notice of the fact that such vehicle has been removed and
impounded shall be sent by the Chief of Police of the Town to the
owner of record of such vehicle. Such notice shall designate the place
from which the vehicle was removed, the reason for its removal and
impounding and instructions for reclaiming the vehicle.
[Ord. 641, 10/9/1978; as added by Ord. 785, 5/13/1996, § 1]
The owner or driver of any vehicle impounded in accordance with
this Part shall be responsible for the payment of all applicable towing
and storage charges resulting from said impoundment. The payment of
such towing and storage charges shall not relieve the owner or driver
of the impounded vehicle from liability for any fine or penalty for
the violation of the provisions of this Chapter for which the vehicle
was removed or impounded.
[Ord. 641, 10/9/1978; as added by Ord. 785, 5/13/1996, § 1]
The Bloomsburg Police Department shall cause a record to be
kept of all vehicles impounded under this Part and shall be able at
all reasonable times to furnish the owners or the agents of the owners
of such vehicles with information as to the place of storage of the
vehicle.
[Ord. 641, 10/9/1978; as added by Ord. 785, 5/13/1996, § 1]
No vehicle shall be removed under the authority of this Part
or the Vehicle Code if, at the time of intended removal, the owner
or driver of the vehicle is present and expresses a willingness and
intention to remove the vehicle immediately.
[Ord. 641, 10/9/1978; as added by Ord. 785, 5/13/1996, § 1;
as amended by Ord. 973, 3/14/2016]
Any person who shall violate any provision of this Part shall,
upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine of $60 plus costs
of prosecution.
