Van Buren Township PD can tow vehicles for snow emergencies

At the Dec. 3 work/study session of the Van Buren Township Board of Trustees, Supervisor Kevin McNamara and Public Safety Director Greg Laurain explained the police department’s revised policy of towing vehicles during declared snow emergencies.
Under state law, the supervisor of the township can declare a snow emergency after five inches or more (or less) has fallen and emergency vehicles are unable to access township roads. The police have the right to tow vehicles to clear the way.
Director Laurain said the revised policy is part of the police department’s accreditation procedure. He said under the policy the supervisor can declare a snow emergency and residents have eight hours to get their vehicles off the streets.
Laurain said officers would knock on doors to talk to vehicle owners before towing offending vehicles. He said the snow emergency would be announced on the township website and television channels 2, 4, and 7.
Earlier this year, the board considered a township ordinance for snow emergencies, but this policy uses state law and no local ordinance is needed.