An abandoned vehicle parked on your street, in your neighborhood, or on your property is more than an eyesore. It’s a safety risk, a liability, and a code violation in El Paso. If you’ve spotted one, here’s exactly how to get it reported and removed.

Who handles abandoned vehicles in El Paso

The agency depends on where the car is sitting. Three different departments handle three different situations, and calling the wrong one wastes time.

On public streets or property: El Paso Police Department’s non-emergency line. They’ll log the complaint, send an officer to verify abandonment, and initiate the towing process.

On private property (your home, a business lot, apartment complex): El Paso Police or the property owner’s preferred towing company can arrange immediate removal. You have more authority here — it’s your land.

In an alley, parking lot, or shared neighborhood space: Contact both the property owner and police. The property owner decides which tow company removes it.

On Fort Bliss or military property: Military Police (MP) or base security handles all on-base removals.

What the city considers “abandoned”

El Paso doesn’t tow every car left sitting for a few days. The vehicle has to meet specific criteria to be officially abandoned.

A car is abandoned when:

  • It’s been parked in the same spot for 48 hours or longer without being moved
  • It shows visible signs of disrepair (broken windows, flat tires, missing doors, rust-through panels)
  • The registration is expired or the tags are gone
  • Nobody is actively maintaining or using the vehicle
  • It’s a threat to public safety, health, or neighborhood appearance

A car parked legitimately for a long weekend, even with expired tags, won’t automatically get towed. But a car that’s been cannibalized for parts, stripped of its catalytic converter, or rotting in one spot will get flagged.

How to report an abandoned vehicle

Get your facts straight before you call. Here’s what to gather.

Location details:

  • Exact street address where the car is parked
  • Cross streets if it’s in an alley or lot
  • Whether it’s on public property, private property, or a business lot
  • Landmarks (near the corner grocery, behind the mall, in front of apartment 3C)

Vehicle description:

  • Color and year if you can read the door or windshield sticker
  • Make and model (Chevy truck, Honda Civic, Ford van)
  • License plate number (photograph it if you can)
  • Any visible damage (busted windows, flat tires, parts missing)
  • How long it’s been sitting there (days, weeks, months)

Contact information:

  • Your name and phone number
  • Whether you’re the property owner, a resident, or someone reporting from the street

The reporting process

Step 1: Call El Paso Police (non-emergency)
Phone: (915) 747-5192
Time: 24/7 line available

Describe the car, location, and how long it’s been abandoned. They’ll take a report and assign a case number. Write it down. You may need it later.

Step 2: An officer verifies abandonment
Police send an officer to assess the vehicle within 1-7 business days (depending on call volume). The officer documents the condition, checks for registration, and confirms it meets abandonment criteria.

Step 3: A notice is posted
If the car qualifies as abandoned, police post a 72-hour notice on the vehicle’s windshield. This gives the owner a legal window to claim it.

Step 4: The car is towed
After 72 hours with no claim, a tow company contracted with the city removes the vehicle to an impound lot. The owner can retrieve it by paying impound fees, or it goes to auction if unclaimed.

What if it’s on your property

If the car is on your property (driveway, parking lot, apartment lot), you don’t have to wait for city towing. You can hire a tow company directly to remove it as soon as it’s abandoned. You’ll pay out of pocket, but the process is faster.

Call us at (915) 615-2224 and give us the vehicle details and location. Quick Tow El Paso can remove an abandoned vehicle from your property within hours. We’ll haul it to the city impound or storage lot of your choice.

How long does removal take

City process (public property): 7 to 14 days from initial report to tow.

Private property removal: same day if you call a tow service immediately.

The city’s timeline is slower because it involves police verification, 72-hour notice posting, and scheduling with contracted tow companies.

What you need to know about your rights

You cannot tow someone else’s car from a public street. Even if it’s been sitting for months, only police or a city-authorized tow can remove it.

You can tow from your own property immediately. If it’s your driveway or your business lot, you can hire a tow company without waiting for police.

If it’s a complex or shared property, the management company usually decides what happens. They’ll either contact police or hire a tow company.

Reporting doesn’t cost you anything. The city’s towing process is free to the person who reports it. If the car owner claims it, they pay impound fees. If nobody claims it, the car goes to auction and the city keeps the proceeds.

Frequently asked questions

How can I find out if my car was reported as abandoned?
Contact El Paso Police with your license plate number. They’ll tell you if there’s a report on file and where your car is if it’s been towed.

What if the abandoned car is blocking my driveway?
Call police first (non-emergency line) and explain the situation. They can expedite removal if your property access is blocked. Or call a tow company directly — private property removal doesn’t require a police report.

Can I remove the car’s license plate or mark it as abandoned myself?
No. Any tampering with another vehicle can be considered criminal mischief. Let police or a licensed tow company handle it.

What happens if the car gets damaged during the towing process?
The city and contracted tow companies carry liability insurance. If damage occurs during a city-authorized tow, it’s documented and the vehicle owner can file a claim with the city.

How long can a car stay in impound?
Typically 30 to 60 days. After that, if the owner hasn’t claimed it and paid impound fees, the city auctions it off. Contact the El Paso Police Auto Pound for exact timelines.

Can I donate an abandoned car I find instead of having it towed?
No. You don’t have legal ownership of someone else’s vehicle. Only the registered owner or the city can authorize what happens to it.

Next steps

If you’ve found an abandoned vehicle, call El Paso Police non-emergency at (915) 747-5192 with your information. They’ll take the report and start the process.

If it’s on your property and you need faster removal, call Quick Tow El Paso at (915) 615-2224. We’ll have it gone the same day and take it wherever you need — impound, storage, or the junkyard.