PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — Starting tomorrow, if your vehicle doesn’t have at least one license plate or VIN displayed, the City of Portland can tow you off public property.

The Portland Bureau of Transportation announced it will begin enforcing an ordinance passed by the city in August that allows no towing notices for vehicles that do not display at least one of those identification methods.

“Allowing automated towing will help parking officers more quickly clear city code-violating vehicles from the public right-of-way — including abandoned cars,” PBOT said in a news release.

It’s unclear whether the agency will use the new rule to tow vehicles where people live. The city is currently issuing 24-hour evacuation notices to campsites it plans to vacate. People who camp in vehicles often move temporarily to another location.

Some residents camping in vehicles in Southeast Portland told KATU they’ve been towed before and say it’s a devastating experience.

“I was 136 and Clinton when they towed my Aspen. It was the only thing I had to live in at the time,” said Jeff, who is camping in a trailer in Southeast Portland and asked not to -we share his last name. .

He says his RV displays a license plate and the city previously towed his after they served him an eviction notice.

“Because we didn’t have enough gas to actually move it. They towed it,” he said.

Jeff lives in an RV parked near 92nd in SE Portland, on Monday at least five or six RVs parked near him did not have license plates.

Nearby neighbors say the campground has caused safety issues and hope the new ordinance will help the city relocate campers more permanently.

“I would like these people to be able to put their RVs somewhere outside of a neighborhood and get whatever help they need to get into a home,” said Blake, who asked that his last name not be used for fear that he and his family will not be. targeted by angry campers.

He believes some people sold drugs from trailers on his street.

“They sell the RVs, people move and camp near whoever is selling. That ends up bringing accessories to the neighborhood. I’m in the yard, human waste, animal waste, noise all night, traffic all night, sales all night. Drug use right in front of my house,” he said. “With several kids, it’s difficult to get them out front to play because the yard often has debris in it.”

Some believe the new regulation will help recover stolen vehicles.

“I think it will be beneficial in helping people who are victims of theft to help them find their vehicles a little bit quicker. Often the smarter thieves will hide the vehicle and make it extremely difficult to identify the vehicle by VIN number or license plate,” said Titan Crawford, founder of PDX Stolen Cars, a group that helps people locate stolen vehicles.

“Vehicles illegally parked in the public right-of-way may be reported 7 days a week to the Parking Enforcement Division by calling 503-823-5195, Monday through Friday from 6:15 a.m. to 11:15 p.m., Saturday from 8 : 3:00 p.m. to 11:15 p.m., and Sunday from 8:45 a.m. to 11:15 p.m. During other hours, contact the non-emergency Police at 503-823-3333,” PBOT said in a news release. “If you believe your vehicle has been towed, contact Portland Police Auto Records at 503-823-0044 to locate your vehicle and learn how to recover it. Additional information about vehicle towing is available at portland.gov/transportation/regulatory/towing-faq. A PBOT-managed towing hardship fund is available to victims of car theft and others living on low incomes who need to recover towed and impounded vehicles.”