A MAJOR clampdown on abandoned vehicles will see drivers hit with $1,000 fines, and with just three days to move their cars.
Authorities say they want to deal with longstanding issues with abandoned vehicles in a community in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
A new clampdown on abandoned vehicles has been launched[/caption]
The clampdown was launched by authorities in the U.S. Virgin Islands[/caption]
The joint effort involved tagging vehicles seen as abandoned, notifying owners that they must remove them or face further penalties.
Authorities say any vehicles still on the premises on Monday, October 28 will be removed and taken to landfill.
The last registered owner of each vehicle will face a $1,000 fine.
They will also have a lien placed against their driver’s license and any future vehicle registrations.
That lien must be resolved before the owner can get their vehicle registration privileges back.
Government House in the U.S. Virgin Islands announced on Thursday that the Virgin Island Housing Authority (VIHA) and the Virgin Island Police Department initiated the operation at the Bovoni Housing Community to address the longstanding issue with abandoned vehicles.
The VIHA previously informed residents of the need to address abandoned vehicles, according to the press release.
A list of the vehicles tagged was released, including a white Toyota Corolla, a white Honda Passport, a 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee, a Chevy Cobalt, and a 2004 Ford.
In a statement, the U.S. Virgin Islands Government said, “VIHA staff had given residents prior notification to address those vehicles that were left on the premises of the Bovoni Housing Community.
“As a result, the operation was conducted, and the task force will return to have all vehicles not addressed by owners removed from the Bovoni residential community and taken to the landfill.
“The last registered vehicle owner will have a lien placed against their drivers license and any future vehicle registrations will incur a fine of $1,000 and will have to reconcile before the lien can be released.
“The task force will return on Monday, October 28,2024, to begin the vehicle removal process.
“If you are the owner or last registered individual for any of the vehicles listed below, please remove said vehicle on your own before the task force does it for you!”
How to report an abandoned car
Reporting an abandoned vehicle is important for keeping city streets safe and clean
Not only is an abandoned car an eyesore, it’s also a hazard to the surrounding community as pests and rodents can take refuge in the interior, engine bay, or trunk.
Leaking fluids can be dangerous for the environment, as many vehicle fluids are toxic and can wreak havoc on ecosystems if they enter waterways.
They can also encourage crime with several cities like Oakland, California reporting that drug dealers may use them to hide and side drugs or weapons.
Abandoned vehicles can also lower property values.
Therefore, they’re worth Specific contact information for your city’s abandoned car hotline may vary, but the necessary information on the vehicle is the same.
When reporting an abandoned vehicle, police will need:
- The exact address of the vehicle
- Information on the steering column (broken, missing, intact, etc)
- Condition of the vehicle (severely damaged, windows broken, leaking fluids, missing body panels or doors, etc)
- Make and model
- Color
- Body style (pickup truck, SUV, sedan, etc)
- License plate number and state, if applicable
- VIN
Many cities will allow residents to report abandoned vehicles online through an online form, or it can be called in.
Source: ABC affiliate WPVI-TV
