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Newport News Police Department
c. The vehicle is subject to an administrative impoundment (§46.2-301.1 of the Code of Virginia),
and the vehicle cannot be left parked or released to a third party as stated (Section II. E. below).
2. Owner’s request: When the vehicle operator requests the towing officer contact a specific wrecker,
the “OWNER’S REQUEST” block on the Tow Sheet shall be marked. [61.4.3(b)]
3. When a vehicle is seized pending confiscation or holding as evidence.
4. All efforts to contact the owner have failed when a stolen vehicle is recovered, and other
arrangements cannot be made.
5. The CITY DISTRICT WRECKER will be used when motorized vehicles, including all mopeds, are
removed from a traffic crash or recovered. All others (e.g., electric personal assistive mobility device,
or electric power-assisted bicycle, and ATV’s) will be removed by a CITY CONTRACT WRECKER and
secured at the Briarfield Warehouse facility, unless it is seized as evidence.
a. If recovered as found property, it will be stored per OPS-485 Property and Evidence.
b. If seized as evidence, it will be marked with a “Property and Evidence Tag” (NNPD Form #7) and
stored in the vehicle lot. [84.1.1(d)]
6. When a vehicle is abandoned (§46.2-1200 of the Code of Virginia). [61.4.3(a)]
7. When a vehicle is involved in a crash, unattended, or immobile (City Code 26-16).
8. Scofflaw: When a vehicle is found upon the public street or highways or public grounds, and there
are three or more outstanding unpaid or otherwise unsettled parking violation notices (City Code 26-
131) against it, the “HOLD” block on the Tow Sheet shall be marked and “Scofflaw” indicated beside
“REASON.”
NOTE: The towing officer must contact the Records Unit to verify and approve Scofflaw violations
before towing the vehicle.
9. Illegally parked vehicle: [61.4.3(b)]
a. Parked in a properly posted “No Parking - Tow Zone” (City Code 26-107).
b. Impeding the movement of traffic.
c. In direct violation with State or City Code, in a manner creating a public safety threat.
d. In a fire lane or interfering with access to a fire hydrant or the passage of emergency vehicles.
e. Interfering with the free ingress, egress, or movement on any premises, driveway, or parking area
without property owner permission (City Code 26-16.1).
B. When towing a vehicle, the towing officer shall:
1. Make every reasonable effort to provide the owner with the wrecker company name and the vehicle
storage location. [84.1.1(f)]
2. Complete a Tow Sheet for every vehicle towed (including those not requiring Virginia registration,
“Owner’s Request,” and city vehicles). [61.4.3(c)]
NOTE: If the vehicle is being administratively impounded pursuant to §46.2-301.1 of the Code of
Virginia, see: Section II.G. regarding administrative impoundment.
3. Add lien holder information to the Tow Sheet. Obtain this from DMV through the Communications
Division if the vehicle is Virginia registered. A DMV query will still be made if it is registered in
another state; however, lienholder information may be unavailable.
4. Provide the following information during towing requests:
a. Whether a city district wrecker or city contract wrecker is requested for the tow.
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