I reported an abandoned black BMW about April 1 in Mililani. It was tagged April 7. Then two rear tires were stolen. The next day, the two front tires were stolen. I called Wahiawa police and was told to call 911. They informed me it would take four to five days after being tagged for a car to be towed. Finally, on April 17, it was towed. Why so long? The state could have auctioned the car sooner and gotten some money. Tow an abandoned car?
Here's what takes so longThe answer is almost as complicated as the process, involving the differences between abandoned and derelict vehicles.
First, when police are called, they may not refer the matter immediately to the city's motor vehicle control office because the car may not be abandoned - only a parking violation, said David Mau, city assistant motor vehicle licensing administrator.
So his office may not get called until three to four days later, he said. Then, motor vehicle inspectors have their own procedures to follow, including retagging the vehicle to make sure it hasn't moved for 24 hours.
If it is abandoned, they will spend another day to notify the registered owner because there may be an explanation why the car hasn't been moved, Mau said.
All that consumes at least two to three more days.
If, after all this, a vehicle still is not "attended to," a work order will be initiated to have the vehicle towed. Again, that may take two or three days because tow contractors work in one area at a time.
Now, with a vehicle that's stripped, inoperable and posing a hazard, inspectors have the discretion of immediately declaring it "derelict." In that case, a tow contractor will be called right away and the vehicle is usually picked up in 48 hours, Mau said.
Derelict vehicles can be disposed of immediately, but all "abandoned" vehicles have to be stored and the last registered owner notified by certified mail. Usually, the owner has 10 days to claim the vehicle. If it is not claimed, it will be put up for public auction.
But auctioning abandoned vehicles is by no means a money-making venture, Mau said. Because it takes so much time and effort, the city wants to get away from auctions. As it is, it sets an upset price of $50 per vehicle, most of them "borderline derelicts," just to cover the city's costs, Mau said.
In fiscal year 1996, the city auctioned 3,050 vehicles and collected $51,000, which went into the general fund. By comparison, the city had 27,822 abandoned vehicle complaints that year, all of which inspectors have to check out. Of that number, 6,852 were derelicts.
There is a $150 citation when a vehicle is abandoned, Mau said. That money goes to the state.
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