A CITY-owned garage was found to be full of suspected abandoned vehicles, taking up the best spots – some had flat tires and layers of dust.
The news coverage triggered an “in-depth investigation” into the almost 40 cars that were left rotting.
3
3
When Tyree Peters, a runner participating in the Rock ‘N’ Roll Marathon last weekend, arrived at the Public Square Garage in Nashville, Tennessee, he noticed that the vehicle in the ideal spot next to him had a thick layer of dust on it. he.
Indicating that it had not moved for some time.
The car next to Peters wasn’t the only one either.
Peters began to notice many more vehicles that appeared abandoned, just sitting and taking up parking spaces for local residents.
Read more about abandoned cars
“There was [an abandoned car] right next to me,” he told NBC affiliate WSMV.
“It was covered in dust. It’s been there for a while.”
WSMV reporters investigated the garage and noticed more than 40 vehicles parked in questionable conditions in the garage owned by the city and operated by the Nashville Downtown Partnership.
Some had flat tires or no license plates.
Several had expired registration tags, some as early as 2012.
Reporters kept an eye on the cars for more than a month and none of them moved or received tickets for occupying the space.
Mayor Freddie O’Connell has encouraged people to use the garage before, citing the value for money and valuable location.
“Generally speaking, Metro garages tend to be easy to park in,” he said during a roundtable discussion in March.
However, he declined to comment on the occupation of abandoned vehicles in the garage.
“If it was my garage, they would have left,” Peters said.
For Peters, abandoned vehicles are costing the city precious revenue that goes toward improving the city.
How to report an abandoned car
Reporting an abandoned vehicle is important to keep city streets safe and clean
An abandoned car is not only an eyesore, but also a danger to the surrounding community, as pests and rodents can take refuge inside, in the engine compartment or in the trunk.
Leaking fluids can be dangerous to 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 can use them to hide and steal drugs or weapons.
Abandoned vehicles can also decrease property values.
So they are worth it. The specific contact information for your city’s abandoned car hotline may vary, but the required vehicle information is the same.
When reporting an abandoned vehicle, the police will need:
- The exact address of the vehicle
- Steering column information (broken, missing, intact, etc.)
- Vehicle condition (severely damaged, broken windows, leaking fluids, missing body panels or doors, etc.)
- Brand and model
- Color
- Body style (pickup, SUV, sedan, etc.)
- License plate number and state, if applicable
- VIN
Many cities will allow residents to report abandoned vehicles online via an online form or through an online form.
Source: ABC affiliate WPVI-TV
According to WSMV reporters, the monthly storage fees for these vehicles would add up to $5,000 during the month they were watching the vehicles.
“That’s lost revenue, for sure,” he said.
Upon investigation, reporters discovered that 27 of the 42 cars had signs warning owners to remove the vehicles within 30 days or they would be towed.
After reporters contacted the Nashville Downtown Partnership about the vehicles, the agency responded saying, “The investigation prompted a full analysis of night cars.”
The US Sun has reached out to the Nashville Downtown Partnership for comment.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
