City to crackdown on abandoned vehicles

The city of Vicksburg will be cracking down on abandoned vehicles around the city.

The Vicksburg Daily News met with employees of the Community Development Department to discuss the number of abandoned vehicles around the city. There are 4 reasons the city may remove a vehicle.

A vehicle will be removed if it is:

1. Dismantled
2. Abandoned (left in the same place for 5 days or more)
3. Unlicensed
4. Inoperable (incapable of moving under its own power)

If your vehicle is found in this condition, one of two things may happen:

1. You may receive a property maintenance code letter that gives you a certain number of days to remove the vehicle.
2. State statute 21-19-11, says:
   “The governing authority of any municipality is authorized, on its own motion, or upon the receipt of a petition requesting the municipal authority to so act signed by a majority of the residents residing within four hundred (400) feet of any property or parcel of land alleged to be in need of cleaning, to give notice to the property owner by United States mail, as provided in this section, two (2) weeks before the date of a hearing, or by service of notice as provided in this section by a police officer at least two (2) weeks before the date of a hearing, or if the property owner or his address is unknown, then by two (2) weeks’ notice in a newspaper having a general circulation in the municipality, of a hearing to determine whether the property or land is in such a state of uncleanliness as to be a menace to the public health, safety and welfare of the community. If, at such hearing, the governing authority shall adjudicate the property or land in its then condition to be a menace to the public health, safety and welfare of the community, the governing authority, if the owner does not do so himself, shall proceed to clean the land, by the use of municipal employees or by contract, by cutting grass and weeds; filling cisterns; removing rubbish, dilapidated fences, outside toilets, dilapidated buildings, personal property, which removal of personal property shall not be subject to the provisions of Section 21-39-21, and other debris; and draining cesspools and standing water therefrom. The governing authority may by resolution adjudicate the actual cost of cleaning the property and may also impose a penalty of One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($1,500.00) or fifty percent (50%) of the actual cost, whichever is more. The cost and any penalty may become a civil debt against the property owner, or, at the option of the governing authority, an assessment against the property.”

If the city removes the vehicle it will then be your responsibility to retrieve it from the tow truck company. If you do not, the vehicle, after a process, will be sold by the tow truck company to recoup the cost of towing and storing the vehicle.

The Martha, Grammer and Bonelli Street area is where we met because of the complaints made against the number of cars in that area. Leroy Thomas with Community Development said “This area was called to my attention about a lot of inoperable cars in this area.” When asked about the fines people will face for having their cars removed, Thomas replied, “We are all working people in the city of Vicksburg and we all should work together.” Thomas emphasized that the city doesn’t want to fine anyone or take their vehicle. “We just want everyone to know, please either get a tag on it, make sure the tires are aired up.” Kyle Washington with the city added, “You know, if you haven’t done anything with the vehicle and it’s been there for a prolonged period of time, they will come tow it for free for the salvage yard.”

Both city employees, Washington and Thomas, stressed that the last thing they want to do is take your vehicle. But if neighbors complain or someone reports the vehicle as abandoned they have to respond and take action.

If you have any questions, Thomas and Washington encouraged you to call them at their office and they would love to assist you. Their number is 601-634-4528.