After describing the problem of abandoned vehicles and reviewing factors that increase its risks, this guide outlines questions that help a local law enforcement agency analyze its local abandoned-vehicle problem, followed by a review of responses to the problem.
The term "abandoned vehicle" is often loosely applied to various types of nuisance vehicles, which include dilapidated cars that still have license plates, cars that are being repaired on public streets, and inoperable vehicles that are on private property. Drivers may temporarily abandon cars that break down on highways as they arrange for repairs. People abandon different types of vehicles for various reasons. Those abandoned in less populated areas are usually older cars and trucks of little value. Abandoned vehicles in urban areas may also include stolen cars. These vehicles may be intact, partly stripped, or burned-out. Abandoned vehicles are unsightly and suggest disorder and decay in the communities where they are located. They are also hazards for neighborhood children who are drawn to them; and they may contain gasoline and other dangerous fluids, attract further damage and parts-stripping, become targets for arson, be used by the homeless or street prostitutes, become drug drops, occupy scarce parking spaces in urban areas, and obstruct street-cleaning. In understanding its local problem of abandoned vehicles, a law enforcement agency should obtain information on locations and times, incidents, environmental hazards, community perceptions and resources, current practice in reporting abandoned vehicles, and current practice in towing and disposing of abandoned vehicles. Suggestions are also offered for measuring the effectiveness of current policy for dealing with abandoned vehicles. A review of responses to abandoned vehicles addresses general considerations for an effective response, specific responses to reduce abandoned vehicles (removing them and preventing them from being abandoned), and responses with limited effectiveness. 80 notes and 65 references