Junk-vehicle roundup

If you've got an old clunker taking up space in the yard, beware.

Darlene Mays and her team of code-enforcement officers are stepping up efforts to get rid of junk vehicles across the city, which could mean towing and fines for owners of rusty gems that were never repaired.

Mays said code enforcement officers identify anywhere from 70 to 80 junk vehicles each month within the city limits - and it's time to get the problem under control, she said.

"We want to shed these safety hazards from our city," Mays said.

The city defines a clunker as any self-propelled vehicle without valid license plates and a current inspection sticker that's wrecked, dismantled, partially dismantled or inoperable - like an early '90s Ford Escort that's sitting on blocks or a torn-apart Buick that's got weeds growing up through the engine.

Mays said the city will send a violation notice to homeowners after the car has been sitting out for more than 30 consecutive days. It's only three days if the car's left in a public place.

After that, junker collectors have 10 days to move the car. If they don't within that time, code enforcement can get a court order to have the car towed and crushed in a scrap yard.

Junk-vehicle owners could also be fined up to $200 for each day their car sits idle after the 10-day grace period. They can petition for a municipal court hearing to see if a judge will rule to let the car stay, but that has to be filed for within the 10-day period too.

Mays said wreckers are volunteering time and equipment for the city's first junk-vehicle roundup, so the only cost is a possible fine.

Mays said the roundup is essential to protect neighbors' safety and property values.

The city's junk-vehicle ordinance also labels clunkers as fire hazards and an easy target for vandalism.

"We want our property values to go up, not go down," Mays said.

But it might be a tough task to keep negligent car owners from junking up neighborhoods.

Code enforcement officer Daphne Carrasco said it's not uncommon to see a clunker towed one week and have it replaced by another one shortly after.

"They get some removed and bring in more," she said. 

EXCEPTIONS

Not all junk vehicles will be marked for towing. These are exceptions to the rule.

>> If the junk vehicle is completely enclosed in a building or screened-in area that people can't see, including neighbors and people across the alley.

>> If the car is parked in a junkyard.

>> If the car is an antique or special-interest vehicle stored in a building or screened-in area.