Did you know that leaving your keys in your vehicle (even with the doors locked) is illegal in the City of Bemidji. This ordinance was put into effect to help deter auto theft. So that you are better informed, I will attach the city ordinance for your review. Sec. 24-132. - Unattended vehicles. (a)Purpose. The purpose of this section is to prevent and to deter theft of motor vehicles. Automobile owners who leave keys in unattended vehicles increase the opportunity for vehicle thefts and, potentially, law enforcement vehicle hot pursuits within the city, thereby endangering the public health, safety and welfare of residents and visitors to the city. For these reasons, this section requires a vehicle owner to take the safe and appropriate measure of removing the car keys when leaving the vehicle unattended. (b)Keys inside unattended vehicle. It shall be unlawful for any person to leave a motor vehicle unattended on private or public property, with the keys inside the vehicle, whether or not the vehicle is running. (c)Exemptions. The following are exempt from violation of this section: (1)Vehicles running with remote keyless start; (2)Commercial delivery vehicles; (3)Emergency response vehicles; (4)Law enforcement vehicles, marked and unmarked; (5)A motor vehicle left running or with the keys in the vehicle, when that vehicle is being used by law enforcement for training, research, investigation, or other law enforcement purposes; (6)Government vehicles, including mail carriers and those engaged in public works activities; (7)Utility owned and operated vehicles engaged in utility installation, repair or other emergency response activities; (8)Private vehicles engaged in construction related activities at a construction site; (9)Automobile service station and repair facilities. (d)Criminal Penalties. The driver or owner of a motor vehicle who violates any provision of this section shall be guilty of a petty misdemeanor. A person who violates this section within one year after having been determined to have committed a previous violation shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. The penalties in this subsection shall not apply to a person or persons who leave unattended a vehicle exempted under subsection (3) above. In all cases the city shall be entitled to collect the costs of prosecution to the extent outlined by law, rules of criminal procedure, or rules of court. (e)Civil Remedies. Any nonexempt vehicle found unattended upon any street, alley, highway or other public property in violation of this section shall be deemed a public nuisance, and law enforcement personnel or other duly authorized agents of the city are authorized to have the unattended vehicle towed to and impounded at a city impound lot or other private impound lot as deemed advisable. A vehicle so impounded may be released to the owner upon payment of the tow and impound fees
Posted on: Wed, 27 Nov 2013 14:42:40 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015