Abandoned vehicles targeted by Pittsburgh police in 5 neighborhoods

Seventeen abandoned vehicles were towed from the streets of five Pittsburgh neighborhoods Tuesday in the start of a weekslong effort to clear out such complaints, according to city police public information officer Cara Cruz.

Officers investigated 124 abandoned vehicle complaints in the Allentown, Beltzhoover, Carrick, Arlington Heights and Knoxville neighborhoods. Most of the complaints to the city’s 311 Response Center were cleared either because the vehicle had since been removed or it was legally registered, Cruz said.

In 15 cases, letters were sent to the owners of vehicles that were considered abandoned but didn’t yet meet the criteria to be removed. An abandoned vehicle with a registration that expired more than 90 days ago can be towed immediately, Cruz said.

City officials warned residents Monday that the blitz was coming. The effort was led by officers throughout the department.

“Abandoned vehicles are a blight on neighborhoods and we’re making a special commitment of resources to address them,” said Mayor Bill Peduto.

The blitz is going to spread into other city neighborhoods. Cruz said police plan to resume addressing abandoned vehicle complaints in mid-May. A targeted neighborhood has not been publicly identified yet.

State law requires authorities to notify the last known registered owner and any lien holders that a vehicle is being held as abandoned and allow them 30 days to reclaim it or any contents. If there is no response within 30 days, the vehicle can be disposed of or sold under state law.

Complaints about abandoned vehicles on Pittsburgh streets can be directed to the 311 center by calling 311 or 412-255-2621 or filing a complaint online at pittsburghpa.gov/311/form.