Why is there an orange sticker on my car?

My car isn't in the street, why is it still tagged abandoned?

How do I make an abandoned vehicle complaint?

Why is there an orange sticker on my car?

There are several ways that a vehicle may come to our attention as a possible abandoned vehicle.

1) While on routine patrol, a police officer may observe a vehicle that appears to be abandoned. If the vehicle is on flat tires, garbage stored inside the vehicle, snow built up on it, the vehicle is stripped, or has no license plate, etc. These are some possible signs of abandonment, but not all.

2) The police department also may receive complaints from citizens either over the telephone or from Community Watch meetings.

If your vehicle is on the street and is suspected of being abandoned, the Police Department will put a small orange rectangular sticker on it stating that the owner of the vehicle has 48 hours from the date and time listed to move it off the street. The officer notes this on an abandoned vehicle report and a case number is generated. No earlier than 48 hours later, an officer will check to see if the vehicle is still there; if the vehicle is still at the location, it will be impounded.

Stripping the sticker off your car will not prevent it from being towed. The Department does keep a record of vehicles that have been tagged.

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My car isn't in the street, why is it still tagged abandoned?

Vehicles not in the street can still be tagged abandoned. You may call the Abandoned Vehicle Hotline at 248-758-3342.

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How do I make an abandoned vehicle complaint?

If the vehicle is on the street, you may call the non-emergency police number at 248-857-7890 to report abandoned cars in your neighborhood. If it's not in the street, call 248-758-3342. You may also bring it up at your citizen district council meeting.

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