Opinion ID: 1541730
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Towing Regulations in the District of Columbia for the Relevant Time Period.

Text: At the time the appellants' cars were stolen, recovered, or impounded, the District Municipal Regulations provided that MPD officers could direct the towing and impoundment of unattended and illegally parked vehicles. 18 DCMR § 2421.1 (1987). Further, the regulations required the police department (or an employee of the Department of Public Works) to inform the vehicle owner, immediately if possible, but if not, to provide written notice of impoundment to the last known address of the registered owner within five business days. 18 DCMR §§ 2421.2, 2421.4, and 2421.5 (1987). [3] Moreover, internal police orders required the MPD officer who recovered a stolen vehicle to take control of the vehicle and notify the owner where it could be reclaimed. See MPD Special Order 01-05 (Mar. 1, 2001). The Special Order specifically noted that when the officer arranges for towing, the officer must ensure prompt and accurate notification so that towing and storage charges can be held to a minimum. Id. [4]