Driver rages over abandoned cars left for years filling the streets – ‘nothing was done’ as cops said it wasn’t their problem

DRIVERS are fed up of finding abandoned cars in their neighborhoods – but no one is taking responsibility for the problem.

Some rotting vehicles have been stuck in the same spots on the streets for more than a year, local residents say, posing an eyesore and a safety risk.

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Several abandoned cars could be seen in a neighborhood in Dover, Delaware – about 80 miles south of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – where residents said they had given up hope that the vehicles would be removed.

“There were cars that were left sitting there for maybe a year at least and nothing was done about it,” Stony Creek resident Roberta Hicks told the local CBS affiliate. WBOC.

The problem doesn’t just affect this area, other residents said.

“In parking lots, I know there are some on Route 1, behind my apartment complex, near a junkyard, [abandoned cars] are lining the streets,” said another resident named Aiden.

“They are everywhere.”

But local authorities appear to be unsure which agency has jurisdiction over the issue – making it difficult to take action.

Dover City Council officials pointed out that Dover Code Enforcement regulations covered cars abandoned on private property – not those left in public spaces.

The Dover Police Department should be tasked with dealing with abandoned vehicles in public parking lots or on the streets.

But DPD told local reporters it is unclear about the division of responsibilities between police and city officials and has not acted accordingly.

TOP SAFETY CONCERN

Dover City Councilor Brian Lewis said he is aware of the problem and has been working on solutions, especially regarding the safety concerns presented by abandoned cars.

Residents said safety is one of the main reasons they also want the cars gone.

“They’re easy to miss on the road and all it takes is a kid to go up and play with them, you know there’s glass everywhere, there’s no tires,” Aiden told WBOC.

“It should be removed, and on top of that, it’s causing a safety hazard,” Hicks, a Stony Creek resident, told local reporters.

She expressed frustration with the slow pace of both groups.

“You pay your taxes and taxes should take care of that,” she said.

Lewis said he is collaborating with state lawmakers on a bill that would clarify code enforcement rules to specifically address the removal of abandoned vehicles on public and private property.

TREASURE HUNT FOR ABANDONED CARS

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 via an online form.

Source: ABC affiliate WPVI-TV

An urban explorer named Colin recently discovered a series of abandoned classic cars outside a lost mansion.

At least one of the cars was an old Fiat that could be worth thousands of dollars, Colin said.

There were vehicles from all over the 20th century, dating back to the 1920s and including classic models like the 1960s VW Beetle and an “incredibly rare” Citroen 4×4.

And another urban explorer named Jay Applegate found an abandoned auto repair shop still full of old cars on another expedition.

“Today I came across an auto repair shop that had been servicing vehicles for years but was abandoned many years ago. All the tools were gone but some cars were still inside,” he said in a statement. video shared earlier this year.

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