The Chief of Police is hereby authorized to provide for the immobilization
of vehicles against which three or more parking summonses have been
issued within 18 months for which fines for those summonses equal
$300 or more and/or vehicles that have been deemed parking scofflaw
by the State of New York.
Such vehicles may be immobilized where located, secured with an immobilization
device or, in the discretion of the Chief of Police, be impounded
and towed.
Notice/warning to owner. When an immobilized device is applied, the
Police Department or its agent shall attach a notice to the vehicle
containing the following information:
Tampering or attempted removal of an immobilization device. No person
shall attempt to tamper with, deface, remove, damage or destroy an
immobilization device or move an immobilized vehicle as herein provided.
Any immobilized vehicle, as herein provided, shall be released to
its owner upon payment of the expenses of the immobilization and all
outstanding parking fines related to such vehicle. A vehicle release
must be obtained from the Village Justice Court during normal business
hours. Once the release is obtained from the Village Justice Court
it may be presented to the Police Department, during normal business
hours, in order to remove the immobilization device or release the
vehicle from impound.
In rare instances the owner of the vehicle may be unavailable. In
that instance, an original notarized letter from the registered owner
or the title holder may be submitted, giving a particular person permission
to receive custody of the vehicle. Photocopies of letters or faxed
letters will not be accepted. A clearly legible copy of the registered
owner's driver's license is acceptable and must be submitted with
the notarized letter. The authorized person must have no unpaid summonses
in their own name and possess a valid driver's license.
The owner of the vehicle is responsible for all towing charges and
storage fees associated with the immobilization of the vehicle. Fees
associated with towing and storage will be paid directly to the tow
company.
Expired registrations must be renewed and all suspensions must be
cleared to release and operate a vehicle. Otherwise, the vehicle must
be towed by flatbed from the impound yard to private property until
properly registered and insured.
Any person violating any provision of this article shall, upon conviction,
be punishable by a fine not to exceed $250 or by imprisonment for
a term not to exceed 15 days, or both.