Abandoned car an eyesore? City urges using free junk car pickup service

Got a junk car? The city picks up unwanted vehicles for disposal for free.

The city’s Department of Customer Services has been offering the service for free in an effort to help reduce the number of vehicles abandoned on city streets that become vandalized eyesores.

“We want people to know that it’s illegal to abandon your unwanted vehicle on public roadways, and if you’re caught, it could lead to a $160 fine,” said Customer Services Deputy Director Randy Leong in a news release. “This is unnecessary if the vehicle is voluntarily surrendered under the city’s free junking program. Using this program also relieves the owner of any registration fees owed on the car.”

It will not, however, relieve owners of any financial responsibility for car loans, criminal charges or citations.

Last year, an estimated 3,089 abandoned and derelict vehicles were removed from city streets, a 57 percent increase from 2017, when the city removed 1,971 abandoned and derelict vehicles left on public property.

“We urge residents to use our free junking service,” said Leong in the statement. “Every abandoned vehicle creates unnecessary work at taxpayer expense. With cooperation from residents, we can more effectively lessen blight in our neighborhoods.”

To access the city program, owners must print and fill out the vehicle junking form Opens in a new tab, remove license plates, and then bring the form, plates, registration and title to a Satellite City Hall.

More information on the junk vehicle program is available online Opens in a new tab. Abandoned vehicles can also be reported online  Opens in a new tabor at 768-2530.