SitNews - Stories in the News - Ketchikan, Alaska

Viewpoints

Abandoned Vehicles
By Rodney Dial

 

August 13, 2008
Wednesday


The Troopers share Mr. Johnson's concerns regarding abandoned vehicles, and we to want them removed as soon as possible. If it were as simple as filing charges we would do so in every instance.

It is a class B Misdemeanor to unlawfully abandon a vehicle. If someone sells a vehicle and fails to file a transfer pending notice with DMV (the part of the back of the title) then they are legally responsible, regardless of if they claim to have sold it.

Unfortunately, many who abandon vehicles do so on their way out of town. As you can imagine the cost to charge and extradite someone from the lower 48 or even another part of Alaska is many times the cost to the government to dispose of the vehicle. You also need to keep in mind that the towing agencies are not interested in taking these vehicles; doing so would cost them money.

The only remedy for the community in many cases is to wait until the borough has the funding and capability to remove the vehicles. Currently this is the most cost effective means for dealing with this issue.

As long as the cost to dispose of a vehicle exceeds the scrap value, this problem will continue to some degree. The root cause is irresponsible and uncaring citizens.

Please continue to call or visit us with your concerns.

Rodney Dial
Ketchikan, AK

 

Received August 11, 2008 - Published August 13, 2008

 

Related Viewpoint:

letter Another whipple Creek "Prize" By A. M. Johnson

Viewpoints - Opinion Letters:

letter Webmail Your Opinion Letter to the Editor

 

 

Note: Comments published on Viewpoints are the opinions of the writer
and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Sitnews.

 

E-mail your letters & opinions to editor@sitnews.us
Your full name, city and state are required for publication.

SitNews ©2008
Stories In The News
Ketchikan, Alaska