what to do about abandoned vehicle?

[saney]

yesterday, i arrived home to find a wrecked, broken down truck parked at the curb next to my building. i realize it is a public street, but how long can someone LEGALLY leave a non-drivable vehicle on a public street? the parking situation is tight as it is (with apartment dwellers and businesses vying for curb space).

any recommendations on what to do if it isnt towed by its owner?

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[Franci]

Call the non-emergency police # and report it as an abandoned vehicle.

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[MissK]

I used to live in an apartment that someone would park their junker non-drivable car. First off the car has to be there for 72 hours before it can be called upon. Secondly, there is a special parking # to call with the City of Seattle. Check on their website.

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[mellaw6565]

What about drivable vehicles left to sit for months because the owner can’t drive it. Does the same apply?

A person nearby has NUMEROUS DUI’s and have “abandoned” their driveable vehicle on the street out front. It’s full of tree debris, etc… because it hasn’t been moved or run. Normally I wouldn’t care except we don’t have off-street parking on our block for most people and parking can be tight.

P.S. – the person’s not approachable to any of the neighbors.

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[MrJT]

Turn them in right now. The city has no way to prove that it has not been there 72 hours. They usually come out and tag it, then give them another week to move it.

http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/parking/parking72hour.htm

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[mellaw6565]

Thanks – normally I let things be with my neighbors, but we all agree that he really should move it or store it since it will apparently be some time before he’s able to drive it. There is a disabled woman with two disable kids next door and one uses a wheelchair. She often has to park several doors down when the street is crowded and I think often if his car wasn’t there she would have at least a closer option.

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[MrJT]

you can do this anonymously, if the bottom part is not filled out.

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[WSratsinacage]

I have reported cars but the owners just scrape off the orange sticker and sometimes do not even move the car. Very frustrating situation all around. Why doesn’t the city impound these more quickly or ticket them? Or both. Something? Why does the city only act when it is reported but drive by broken down cars parked on the easment? The current “system” is not working. The plethora of old police cruisers scattered around Genessee near California Ave is just one example of the ineffectiveness of this ordinance.

I saw something on the local news awhile ago about car ranchers. The parking enforcement folks were asked directly how many cars they tow and one guy admitted he had never had a car towed because the owners just move the car or remove the sticker.

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