Fourth Pittsburgh police 'blitz' on abandoned vehicles results in 12 tows

The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police completed its fourth “blitz” to remove abandoned vehicles from city streets in the Brookline, Beechview, Elliot and Sheraden neighborhoods, the department announced Wednesday.

Motorcycle units and abandoned vehicle officers addressed 43 complaints on Tuesday.

Of the 43 vehicles, a dozen were towed away while the majority, 31, were gone from the area, police said.

The third blitz had been conducted over three days in July, focused in Manchester, Marshall-Shadeland, Woods Run, Troy Hill, Lower Perrysville and Upper Perrysville. Police investigated 86 complaints in those neighborhoods, and towed nearly two dozen vehicles.

Police can tow a vehicle immediately if the registration has been expired for 90 days.

State law requires authorities to notify the last known registered owner and any lien holders that a vehicle is being held as abandoned. The owner is given 30 days to reclaim it or any contents.

If there is no response within 30 days, the vehicle can be disposed of or sold.

When police conducted a blitz in late April, Mayor Bill Peduto called abandoned vehicles “a blight on neighborhoods” and vowed to commit resources to address the problem. He urged residents to report vehicles that are believed to have been abandoned.

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.