City Howl Help Desk: The van that wouldn't move

THE PROBLEM: Grover Reed Jr. isn't sure who owns the white Ford Aerostar van, but he's sure it's been parked on his block, the 100 block of Fern Street, in Olney, for at least three months. It's in decent shape, but has a flat and its inspection stickers expired in November.

The van is also taking up a parking space, says Reed, who has called a city abandoned-auto hot line multiple times. Both he and a neighbor have left messages on the hot line, but the van hasn't moved.

"Maybe it's the weather?" Reed asked several weeks ago. "Maybe they can't get the tow trucks out?"

Concerned, Reed contacted Help Desk to find out what else he could do about the van.

NOW, WE'RE GETTING SOMEWHERE: Help Desk began by calling the abandoned-auto hot line (215-683-CARS). The recording instructs callers to leave a message with relevant information, like a the license-plate number and location.

Since Reed had already left messages, we contacted the Police Department's office of public affairs instead. Officer Christine O'Brien connected us to the department's Neighborhood Services Unit (NSU), which handles graffiti removal, short-dumping cleanup, abandoned-car removal and other problems related to urban blight. Many of us remember Mayor John Street's initiative to remove 40,000 abandoned cars from city streets in 40 days in 2000 - not just because they're unsightly but because they often attract litter and crime.

The unit hadn't received any complaints about the van, says Sgt. Frank Spires, who recommends that residents call 3-1-1 or the NSU directly (215-685-9500) to report abandoned cars, rather than the abandoned-auto hot line, which the NSU does not manage.

Why does the city maintain an abandoned-auto hot line if the unit that deals with abandoned cars prefers 3-1-1?

O'Brien says the infrastructure for the hot line exists already and messages are passed on to the NSU, so the department lets residents continue to use it.

Of course, this didn't work for Reed. The department will follow up about communication between the hot line and the NSU, says O'Brien.

As for the van, the mere fact that it's been parked in the same spot for a long time isn't really an issue, Spires said.

But the flat tire and possible out-of-date inspection are issues. A vehicle must be in running order to be parked legally on the street.

And so, in response to our call, the NSU looked into the van. It turns out it has valid registration through July, and belongs to a Fern Street resident (the owner's name is not public information). An officer inspected the vehicle on Feb. 25, put a notice on it, and mailed a certified letter to the owner, who has 10 days to conform to the motor vehicle code, Spires says.

The same officer will reinspect the van after the 10 days are up. If the owner hasn't fixed the tire and brought the inspection up to date, police will have the van towed by one of the 12 private salvage companies with which the city contracts.

How much will this cost the city? Nothing, says O'Brien. The city doesn't pay the firms for the cost of towing abandoned cars off the streets.

The firms often make their money by selling cars for their parts. And if an owner wants to reclaim a car after it's been towed, he or she has to pay the salvor directly for towing and storage fees.

But owners don't always claim their vehicles, says O'Brien. For some, having cars towed can take "a load off their minds," she adds.

In 2010, the NSU removed 9,266 cars from city streets, O'Brien said.

Help Desk will follow up with the police next week to find out whether the van has been fixed or will be towed.

LONGER GREEN LIGHTS AT PLATT BRIDGE: Several weeks ago, Help Desk wrote about long waits at the left-turn light at the bottom of the Platt Bridge where Penrose Avenue meets 26th Street.

We followed up with Steve Buckley, deputy commissioner of transportation at the Streets Department, to find out whether new traffic counts had been conducted. And there's good news!

The new counts showed that the opposing traffic on Penrose Avenue during the evening rush was actually lighter than expected. As a result, Streets extended the length of the left-turn light during this time from 26 seconds to 37 seconds. Buckley said that Streets has been monitoring the intersection on PennDOT webcams and that the longer light seems to be easing the left-turn wait for evening commuters.

Robert Scott, the commuter who made the initial complaint to us, confirmed that, yes, "there has been a definite improvement."

Have you dealt with city services lately? How'd it go? Let us know at www.thecityhowl.com, e-mail howl@phillynews.com or call 215-854-5855.