It has been my experience that using SeeClickFix in Oakland to get action on abandoned vehicles is not effective.
Instead, per http://www2.oaklandnet.com/government/o/OPD/s/vfaq/index.htm, e-mail the location, description, and license number of the vehicle (if known) to AbandonedAuto@oaklandnet.com. Attach a photo to the e-mail if possible. Don't call their phone number because most of the time you'll get a message, which will tell you to send an e-mail because that is what they want.
You'll get an auto-reply to the e-mail with the following:
1. The Abandoned Auto Detail processes complaints for vehicles on public streets (includes public sidewalks). If the vehicle you are reporting is on private property please call the Vehicle Abatement Detail at (510) 777-8538 or email them at vehicleabatement@oaklandnet.com.
2. Please include as much information about the vehicle as possible, including but limited to, the location, vehicle make, model, color and license plate. Photo attachments are also helpful.
3. Complaints are processed in the order they are received.
4. Complaints are normally checked within 20 business days (4 calendar weeks); however that timeframe may be shorter or longer dependent upon temporary changes in staffing (sick leave, vacations, holidays, etc.) or changes in the number of complaints received. Due to volume of complaints in Police Area 5 (Beats 29-35), complaints in this Area are taking approximately 40 business days (8 calendar weeks).
5. A Police Service Technician (PST) will respond to the complaint. If the vehicle is no longer at the location, the complaint will be closed. If the vehicle is at the location, the PST will mark and tag the vehicle with a courtesy warning.
6. The PST will then return 72 or more hours (3+ days), after the vehicle has been marked and tagged, to determine if the vehicle is in-fact in violation of the OMC and if it is ready to be towed.
Note: Vehicles that contain a large amount of trash may have to be cleaned out prior to being towed. This may result in a delay in removing the vehicle for an additional 3-5 business days until a clean out can be scheduled with Public Works.
7. If the vehicle has been moved, as required by law, the complaint will be closed.
Note: So long as the vehicle owner or responsible party continues to move the vehicle, as required by law, and no other legal reason exists for removal, the vehicle will not be towed/removed regardless of how many times it has been reported and/or marked and tagged.
8. Although the courtesy warning states that the vehicle must be moved a mile, the law does not specify a distance that the vehicle must be moved. The “mile movement” is merely guidance to the vehicle owner to ensure their vehicle is not improperly towed. The actual language of the OMC is as follows:
“No person who owns or has possession, custody or control of any vehicle shall park such vehicle upon any street or alley for more than a consecutive period of seventy-two (72) hours.”
3 Comments
An anonymous SeeClickFix user (Registered User)
cardodec510 (Registered User)
It has been my experience that using SeeClickFix in Oakland to get action on abandoned vehicles is not effective.
Instead, per http://www2.oaklandnet.com/government/o/OPD/s/vfaq/index.htm, e-mail the location, description, and license number of the vehicle (if known) to AbandonedAuto@oaklandnet.com. Attach a photo to the e-mail if possible. Don't call their phone number because most of the time you'll get a message, which will tell you to send an e-mail because that is what they want.
You'll get an auto-reply to the e-mail with the following:
1. The Abandoned Auto Detail processes complaints for vehicles on public streets (includes public sidewalks). If the vehicle you are reporting is on private property please call the Vehicle Abatement Detail at (510) 777-8538 or email them at vehicleabatement@oaklandnet.com.
2. Please include as much information about the vehicle as possible, including but limited to, the location, vehicle make, model, color and license plate. Photo attachments are also helpful.
3. Complaints are processed in the order they are received.
4. Complaints are normally checked within 20 business days (4 calendar weeks); however that timeframe may be shorter or longer dependent upon temporary changes in staffing (sick leave, vacations, holidays, etc.) or changes in the number of complaints received. Due to volume of complaints in Police Area 5 (Beats 29-35), complaints in this Area are taking approximately 40 business days (8 calendar weeks).
5. A Police Service Technician (PST) will respond to the complaint. If the vehicle is no longer at the location, the complaint will be closed. If the vehicle is at the location, the PST will mark and tag the vehicle with a courtesy warning.
6. The PST will then return 72 or more hours (3+ days), after the vehicle has been marked and tagged, to determine if the vehicle is in-fact in violation of the OMC and if it is ready to be towed.
Note: Vehicles that contain a large amount of trash may have to be cleaned out prior to being towed. This may result in a delay in removing the vehicle for an additional 3-5 business days until a clean out can be scheduled with Public Works.
7. If the vehicle has been moved, as required by law, the complaint will be closed.
Note: So long as the vehicle owner or responsible party continues to move the vehicle, as required by law, and no other legal reason exists for removal, the vehicle will not be towed/removed regardless of how many times it has been reported and/or marked and tagged.
8. Although the courtesy warning states that the vehicle must be moved a mile, the law does not specify a distance that the vehicle must be moved. The “mile movement” is merely guidance to the vehicle owner to ensure their vehicle is not improperly towed. The actual language of the OMC is as follows:
“No person who owns or has possession, custody or control of any vehicle shall park such vehicle upon any street or alley for more than a consecutive period of seventy-two (72) hours.”
An anonymous SeeClickFix user (Registered User)