§ 385.030. Towing of Abandoned Property On Public Real Property.

A. 

Any Law Enforcement Officer, or an official of the City where the City's real property is concerned, may authorize a towing company to remove to a place of safety:

1. 

Any abandoned property on the right-of-way of:

a. 

Any interstate highway or freeway in an urbanized area of the City left unattended for ten (10) hours, or immediately if a Law Enforcement Officer determines that the abandoned property is a serious hazard to other motorists; or

b. 

Any interstate highway or freeway outside of an urbanized area of the City left unattended for twenty-four (24) hours, or after four (4) hours if a Law Enforcement Officer determines that the abandoned property is a serious hazard to other motorists; or

c. 

Any State highway, other than an interstate highway or freeway outside of an urbanized area, left unattended for more than twenty-four (24) hours;

provided that commercial motor vehicles referred to in Subparagraphs (a — c) not hauling waste designated as hazardous under 49 U.S.C. 5103(a) may only be removed under this Section to a place of safety until the owner or owner's representative has had a reasonable opportunity to contact a towing company of choice; or

d. 

Any State highway, other than an interstate highway or freeway in an urbanized area, left unattended for more than ten (10) hours.

2. 

Any unattended abandoned property illegally left standing upon any highway or bridge if the abandoned property is left in a position or under such circumstances as to obstruct the normal movement of traffic where there is no reasonable indication that the person in control of the property is arranging for its immediate control or removal.

3. 

Any abandoned property which has been abandoned under Section 385.010 herein or Section 577.080, RSMo.

4. 

Any abandoned property which has been reported as stolen or taken without consent of the owner.

5. 

Any abandoned property for which the person operating such property is arrested for an alleged offense for which the officer takes the person into custody and where such person is unable to arrange for the property's timely removal.

6. 

Any abandoned property which due to any other State law or City ordinance is subject to towing because of the owner's outstanding traffic or parking violations.

7. 

Any abandoned property left unattended in violation of a State law or City ordinance where signs have been posted giving notice of the law or where the violation causes a safety hazard.

8. 

Any abandoned property illegally left standing on the waters of this State as defined in Section 306.010, RSMo., where the abandoned property is obstructing the normal movement of traffic, or where the abandoned property has been unattended for more than ten (10) hours or is floating loose on the water.

9. 

Any abandoned property for which the person operating such property or vehicle eludes arrest for an alleged offense for which the officer would have taken the offender into custody.

B. 

When the City Police Department authorizes a tow pursuant to this Section in which the abandoned property is moved from the immediate vicinity, it shall complete a crime inquiry and inspection report.

C. 

Any City agency other than the City Police Department authorizing a tow under this Section where property is towed away from the immediate vicinity shall report the tow to the City Police Department within two (2) hours of the tow, along with a crime inquiry and inspection report.

State Law References — For similar provisions, §§304.155.1, 304.155.3, RSMo.