There have been several messages recently regarding abandoned vehicles. The Police have specific requirements regarding when a car can be towed, which impacts how quickly it is taken care of. I just called the Auto Squad and Zone 5 and confirmed the following requirements for towing and timeframes: Situation Response Car itself is a hazard (i.e. broken glass or exposed engine) Towed immediately to City tow pound Registration and/or inspection expired and VIN number not present Car may be towed immediately and will be investigated by Auto Squad Car is stolen according to VIN report Towed immediately to City tow pound Registration and/or inspection expired for more than 90 days A letter will be sent to owner and car may be removed immediately Registration and/or inspection expired for less than 90 days A letter will be sent to the owner of record notifying them that tow may occur 10 days after date of letter. Tow will typically take place within 2 weeks of letter being sent. Sending suspected abandoned vehicles to 311 is the best way to handle these. The 311 online form recently had a back-up (the start of summer is a busy time), but I was told they were to be caught up by early last week and all cases have been sent to the proper department. After submitting an online form, you should receive two emails - one with a Ticket ID and one with a Service Request Number. (If you call, you will get a Service Request Number while on the phone.) If you used the online method, your case is fully processed when you receive the Service Request Number. If you do not get that email within a few days of submitting the form, please contact our office and we will look into it. If you feel there is a rash of cars being abandoned in one area and a trend needs to be investigated, you can call the city's Auto Squad at 412-255-2911. If you have any other questions, please call our office at 412-255-2140 and we would be happy to look into it. Thanks, Emily Emily Keebler * Office of Patrick Dowd * Pittsburgh City Council District 7 510 City-County Building * 414 Grant Street * Pittsburgh PA 15219 * 412 255 2140 emily.keebler@city.pittsburgh.pa.us <mailto:emily.keebler@city.pittsburgh.pa.us> * www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/district7 <http://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/district7>