Community Post

Abandoned Vehicles

The CD has long been a favorite dumping ground for abandoned, junk and sometimes stolen vehicles. If you’ve lived in the neighborhood even briefly, you’ve probably encountered a few. City ordinance states that no vehicle may be parked on a public street or public property for more than 72 consecutive hours. And cars that have not moved in longer periods of time, especially this time of year, are easy to spot. Namely, they are covered and surrounded by leaves.

If you happen to have one of these eyesores near you, the city encourages reporting them. They’ve even set up a convenient web form to do so. You can also call and report abandoned vehicles at (206) 684-8763.

Although it may take several days, the city *will* ticket and tow reported vehicles, but only if they are reported. So if you have one in your neighborhood, don’t be shy about reporting it. You can even do it anonymously.

0 thoughts on “Abandoned Vehicles

  1. I didn’t know about the web form. It’ll be nice to avoid their annoying phone tree.

    I’ve always had good luck with parking enforcement. The whole process usually takes about 10 days from the time you call until the time the car is towed.

  2. I’m new to Seattle and was wondering what could be done about these cars. Parking is scarce and we need all the help we can get. A few months back, a car outside my house was surrounded by alot of drug and prostitution activity. Someone called parking control and they came and placed a sticker on the car, but just days before it was to be towed several guys just pushed it across 23rd ave. So i guess there are ways around it, but thats good to know.

  3. Our neighborhood has turn up the pressure on a home which has been selling drugs for years and years. The police told us that it is extremely important to report abandoned vehicles as they are often used by drug dealers as a locker for their goods. They do this so that if they get caught they don’t have much on their person, that none will be found in their home, and it’s not their car.

    If there is suspicious activity near the car note that in “Other Description” in the online form http://www.seattle.gov/police/AbandonedVehicles.htm

  4. We’ve currently got one near our house parked on Pike between 25th and 26th. We’ve called it in twice and I just filled out the web form (thanks for the link!). I’ve seen people getting into the back of the car and closing the doors but the tires are flat and it hasn’t moved in a long time. Hope it gets towed soon.

  5. I’ve noticed an increase of cars with those orange stickers on them around my neighborhood lately…nice to see that the city has taken action.