The Chief of Police of the Borough is hereby
authorized to remove and impound or to order the removal and impounding
of any vehicle parked on any of the streets, highways or public property
in the Borough in violation of any provision of the law or of any
ordinance of the Borough; provided, however, that no such vehicle
shall be removed or impounded except in strict adherence to the provisions
of this article.
[Amended 5-3-1994 by Ord. No. 632, approved 5-3-1994]
Council or the Chief of Police of the Borough
may designate such towing services and storage garages as it deems
necessary.
Every such approved storage garage or pound
shall be bonded in the amount of $5,000 for the indemnifying of the
owner of every such impounded vehicle against the loss thereof or
injury or damage thereto while in the custody of such poundkeeper.
[Amended 5-3-1994 by Ord. No. 632, approved 5-3-1994]
The towing and storage charges to be collected
by towing services of storage garages shall be the rate as established
by such garages.
Within 12 hours from the time of removal of
any vehicle under authority granted by this article, notice of the
fact that such vehicle has been impounded shall be sent by the Chief
of Police of the Borough to the owner of record of such vehicle. Such
notice shall designate the place from which such vehicle was removed,
the reason for its removal and impounding and the pound in which it
shall have been impounded.
The Chief of Police shall keep a record of all
vehicles impounded and shall be able at all reasonable times to furnish
the owners or the agents of the owners thereof with information as
to the place of storage of such vehicles.
The payment of towing and storage charges authorized
by this article shall not operate to relieve the owner or operator
of any vehicle from liability for any fine or penalty for violation
of any law or ordinance on account of which such vehicle was removed
and impounded.
No vehicle shall be removed under the authority
of this article if, at the time of the intended removal thereof, the
owner or person for the time being in charge of such vehicle is present
and expresses a willingness and intention to remove such vehicle immediately.