Oil City Police Department On Lookout for ‘Dead Storage Vehicles’

| September 12, 2018

OIL CITY, Pa. – Oil City Police Department is alerting citizens of a city ordinance aimed at maximizing limited street parking in neighborhoods and removing unsightly vehicles.

Officers of the Oil City Police Department recently responded to a report of “Dead Storage Vehicles” in the 300 Block of Butternut Alley and several vehicles on Warren Street between Cornplanter Avenue and Gay Street. Three vehicles were tagged for removal from the street within 48 hours.

Citizens are reminded of the Abandoned Vehicles Pa. Vehicle Code Section 3712(a) and the corresponding Oil City Parking Ordinance for “Dead Storage Vehicles.”

Upcoming winter weather affects parking throughout the city, and Oil City Police will be stepping up to enforce the ordinance and vehicle code sections.

Additional officers will also be working in conjunction with Oil City Public Works and Street Departments during fall leaf and winter snow removal.

Vehicle code and city ordinance enforcement criteria

If your vehicle is/has one or more of the following:

  • Physically inoperable/disabled (non-driving condition);
  • License plate is expired or suspended;
  • Pa. inspection sticker is expired; or
  • VIN number (located on driver’s side dashboard) is unable to be read.

Under these conditions, vehicles will be tagged with a bright pink “Dead Storage” notice on the windshield.

Vehicles must be removed by owners within 48 hours of being tagged. If the owner fails to remove the vehicle, officers will return and have the vehicle towed at the owner’s expense.

A vehicle will be subjected to immediate removal from the roadway at the owner’s expense if it is/has one or more of the following:

  • Does not have current Required Financial Responsibility (car insurance) coverage per Pa. Vehicle Code Section 1786(f);
  • License plate is expired, revoked and/or suspended for more than 90 days; and
  • VIN number cannot be read, and there is no displayed registration plate.

Additional financial penalties could be imposed on any violating vehicle owner. These include a fine ranging from $500.00 to $1,000.00, dependent upon the number of violations by the owner.

Additional towing/storage fees could include:

  • Initial state contract towing service fee of $110.00
  • Minimum of $35.00 one-day storage fee with an additional charge of $35.00 per day; if the vehicle is not reclaimed within 48 hours of removal, an additional $50.00 fee will be paid to the state for reclamation paperwork

Under a First Offense scenario, a violating owner could face a minimum of the vehicle being removed, $645.00 in fines and towing fees and additional court-related expenses.

Only citizens who are already violating Pa. Vehicle Code Regulations will be affected by these enforcement efforts. Vehicles that are roadworthy, have a valid license plate, inspection and current insurance will not be affected.

Any citizens who is aware of any vehicles in their neighborhoods that fit these criteria and are parked upon the roadway are asked to contact the Oil City Police Department at 814-678-3080.

This does not apply to any vehicle parked on private off-street property.


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