VEHICLES being dumped in a major area of a US state are causing issues for locals – with a new vehicle said to be abandoned every two days.
The wrecks, which are not only an eyesore but also cause potential chemical hazards, are also becoming breeding grounds for vermin and mosquitoes – and also attract crime.
One resident, Heidi Jaworksi, revealed to Civil Beat that she moved to the Hawaiian Ocean View subdivision on the Big Island of Hawaii in 2005 – when she noticed many yards filled with abandoned cars and trucks.
Indeed, abandoned vehicles are a serious issue on the island – with 1,600 vehicles dumped every year.
New laws passed in 2022 tried to combat the problem but have been ineffective – with many people finding it easier and cheaper to abandon their vehicles rather than go through the proper disposal process.
What’s more, some property owners sell parts from these vehicles for profit.
Jaworksi said cars that break down in the remote area often remain there, describing one property with “three dozen car wrecks” and another with abandoned vans, SUVs, and trucks.
These larger vehicles even cause issues such as squatting, theft, and crime.
She added: “It brings down the whole community, not to mention your house value.”
Hawaiian Ocean View, with a population of around 4,500 people, has a median household income of $45,917 – less than half the state average.
And while the county allows people to turn in two vehicles per year for free, many properties have dozens of vehicles.
Officials say they have made progress in clearing abandoned cars from roadsides – but can only tow vehicles from private properties if owners apply for help through the Vehicle Disposal Assistance Program.
Michelle Galimba, a council member for Hawaiʻi District 6, said: “It’s a huge problem there. Some of those lots in Ocean View have hundreds of cars.”
Indeed, reports from Ocean View show abandoned vehicles are reported every two days.
Craig Kawaguchi, who runs the county’s derelict vehicle programme, said: “With so many roads and such a large area, it’s easy to assume someone else has already made the report; but that’s not always the case.”
One law, Act 229, lets the county’s finance director share vehicle registration information with the disposal programme to target repeat offenders.
Greggor Ilagan, who was elected House Vice Speaker in 2022, added: “We realised that 20% of the offenders were responsible for 80% of the offences.”
The law also allows the county to recover disposal costs from vehicle owners and block license and registration renewals if necessary.
The county has also expanded its abandoned vehicle programme, which works with the police and other agencies.
In 2018, it had a $2.4 million budget and processed 678 vehicles, and by 2024, the budget increased to $3.73 million – with 1,581 vehicles processed.
Staffing shortages have caused delays, with Kawaguchi adding: “We’re hopeful that we’ll be able to add one or two more employees in the future to help improve overall coverage.”
What’s more, police have improved their tracking of abandoned vehicles on roads.
In 2023, they investigated 3,500 vehicles, identified by fluorescent pink stickers warning owners of removal within 24 to 72 hours.
Public engagement has also improved, with over 100 vehicles disposed of through the assistance programme in 2023, rising to 500 in 2024.
Furthermore, abandoned vehicles in good condition are sold at public auctions, and are sent to scrap metal facilities or shipped to the US mainland or abroad if they don’t sell.
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 VINMany cities will allow residents to report abandoned vehicles online through an online form, or it can be called in.
Source: ABC affiliate WPVI-TV
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