Towing backlog eased as Edmonton creates overflow impound space
The number of abandoned vehicles fell 73% after city used temporary lot at 122 Street and 124 Avenue.
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Edmonton's backlog of abandoned vehicles has plummeted to its lowest level in months after the city created overflow parking space.
The number fell from a peak of 682 vehicles on June 17 to 181 as of Tuesday — a 73 percent drop. The city opened a temporary lot at 122 Street and 124 Avenue, a former ETS Park and Ride site next to the main impound, to absorb the overflow.
Edmonton Police Service said the backlog is now manageable. "We believe that we don't have an issue with addressing all of the abandoned vehicles in our city," said Cindy Kieu, executive director of EPS's business operations division.
A vehicle qualifies as abandoned if it remains parked and unmoved on a city street or public property for more than 72 consecutive hours. After that, it can be ticketed and towed. The impound lot itself has remained in its current location since 1997 with the same number of spots — a capacity issue EPS has been trying to solve since 2009.
Police said they plan to "hit the issue hard over the summer" and aim to bring abandoned vehicles to zero. For a permanent solution, the service will work with the city; EPS and city council have previously cited budget constraints as obstacles to relocating the impound.
