Police Address Neighborhood Blight with Citywide Abandoned Vehicle Blitz

Over the next two weeks, Pittsburgh Police and three designated salvors (not McGann & Chester) will begin removing abandoned vehicles in neighborhoods throughout the city that have been reported by neighbors through 311 or the Police.  

“Abandoned vehicles are a nuisance that cause blight and safety concerns in our neighborhoods,” said Mayor Corey O’Connor. “There have been some that have been abandoned in our communities for years. Thank you to the Pittsburgh Police for addressing these and removing them from our streets.”  

For the purposes of the blitz, officers will be prioritizing vehicles for removal where the registration and inspection have expired more than 90 days and those that are considered a hazard on the street. 

Under the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code, vehicles are presumed to be abandoned under the following circumstances:  

• The vehicle is physically inoperable and left unattended on a highway or other public property for more than 48 hours. 

• The vehicle has remained illegally on a highway or other public property for a period of more than 48 hours. 

• The vehicle is left unattended on or along a highway or other public property for a period of more than 48 hours and does not bear any of the following: 

• • A valid registration plate. 
  • A certificate of inspection. 
  • An ascertainable VIN number. 
• The vehicle has remained on private property without the consent of the owner or person in control of the property for more than 24 hours. 

The majority of the vehicles that are listed to be towed have been abandoned for weeks, months or even years.  

Residents who own a vehicle that falls into any of these categories are advised to move it onto their private property or to a secure location before 8 am on Tuesday, March 24 or it will be towed.  

To retrieve a vehicle, each police zone will have a list of vehicles that have been towed. Find your police zone here and phone numbers here: https://www.pittsburghpa.gov/Safety/Police/Police-Zones or call (412) 432-4774 for more information.