The News Room [News Archive]
Sheriff Contact: John Roach: 313-224-0615
Release Date: Thursday, July 31, 2003
Evans tackles abandoned vehicle problem in Highland Park
--- Sheriff sends worst cars directly to crusher; seeks legislative
aid
Wayne County Sheriff Warren C. Evans today unveiled an aggressive
new approach to dealing with many of the abandoned vehicles that
plague the city of Highland Park.
For the past several days, deputies have been identifying a number
of wheel-less, often burned out hulks as "unregistered abandoned
scrap vehicles.” When cars carry that designation, officers
don’t have to notify the owner before they have them crushed.
Instead, the only requirement is that the vehicle be stickered
for 48 hours before it is towed. Most abandoned vehicles languish
in impound yards for up to 90 days – waiting for an owner
who will never appear – to reclaim their car before they
can be crushed.
"The problem of abandoned vehicles is a serious quality
of life issue, particularly in urban areas,” Evans said. "I've
had a number of Highland Park residents tell me they want to be
able to sit out on their front porch, but cant’ stand to
look at these eyesores. Using this aspect of the law is one way
we are helping them.”
In addition to being eyesore, Evans pointed out that drug dealers
often use abandoned vehicles to stash drugs and guns, making it
harder of police to tie the two together.
What is a scrap vehicle?
Unregistered Abandoned Scrap Vehicles are ones that are at least
seven years old, not currently registered with the Secretary
of State and require repairs that exceed the value of the car.
They also have not been reported stolen.
Today, tow trucks pulled at least 30 vehicles - most without wheels
and some without engines - out of alleys and side streets in Highland
Park and had them sent to be crushed. Deputies also have been tagging
dozens more vehicles for upcoming towing. Since taking over daily
policing duties in Highland Park on July 1, Evans said his staff
has towed more than 100 cars.
Evans said his officers have identified at least an additional
100 abandoned cars in Highland Park's two square miles, many of
which meet the criteria of unregistered scrap vehicles.
Legislative change sought
One of the issues that adds significantly to the length of time
it takes to remove abandoned vehicles is unclear ownership, Evans
said.
"Part of what can make it easier to remove abandoned vehicles
more promptly would be to require individuals who privately sell
or exchange a vehicle to both go to the Secretary of State’s
office to sign the title,” he said. "Without this provision,
we often find ourselves trying to track down a previous owner of
an abandoned vehicle, which adds to the time it sits on the street.”
Evans said he plans to speak with area legislators to in the coming
weeks to draft a bill to make this requirement a law.
"Once we can add that measure of accountability, it will
give new teeth to an ordinance that was recently passed in Highland
Park that would allow us to fine the owner of an abandoned vehicle
up to $800,” Evans said. "That will help us send a
message that Highland Park is no longer a place for people to dump
their unwanted cars.”
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