The Columbus Police Impound Lot can’t clear towed cars away fast enough to operate as it normally would, so some parking violations that might have resulted in a trip to a tow yard before January are leaving drivers with citations instead.
The impound lot can hold about 3,500 vehicles, Public Relations Advisor Melanie Amato said. More than 75% of the spots are filled and the others are held open for urgent tows, which are classified as vehicles in the way of traffic, street sweeping and marathons, as well as vehicles involved in street racing or those being removed by police task forces.
Police say they have been bringing vehicles in faster than people are picking them up and faster than they can go through the process of auctioning them off, which can take months as the tow yard makes efforts to contact vehicle owners.
If an owner or lienholder does not reply after receiving a certified letter, the vehicle is evaluated for potential sale.
Tows to the lot cost at least $125, but rack up a $30 fee and an $18-daily charge after the tow yard sends out notification of the tow. Owners may also be on the hook for parking citations and other towing fees.
Police hope to free up space in the lot to return to normal operations in June, Amato said. People can still report unlawfully parked cars and owners will still be issued citations.
“The Division (of Police) encourages owners to continue reporting unlawfully parked cars. An officer will respond and address each incident appropriately. This may include an attempt to locate the owner or operator and prompt them to move the vehicle or the issuance of a citation,” Amato said.
People can click here to check on their vehicles or visit here for more information about the tow yard.
