The City of Winslow is working to address the number of abandoned vehicles within city limits. The City of Winslow Code Compliance Department handles about 239 cases a year and 2016, 64 cases were instances of abandoned vehicles. The others include weeds, graffiti and debris.
Code Compliance Officer Shane Chatwin said, “We have been hitting the abandoned vehicles, especially this year, because of the complaints that we have had. So, a lot of it is not due to us going around and doing our checks, we have complaints from residents and neighbors.”
To follow up on those complaints Chatwin said, “We look to see if it (the vehicle) is licensed and registered, because it has to be if it is on their property. We watch for 30 days or so to see if the vehicle has moved. Most of the time, we will take a picture of it, we will make note of whether there are cobwebs, the location of the tires and so on and so forth.”
In the event that Chatwin finds the complaints valid, or notices an abandoned vehicle, there is a process for notifying the resident. “The first notice is us knocking on the door to let them know that we have observed the vehicle for more than 30 days,” Chatwin said. The next step is sending an official letter containing pictures of the offending vehicle. “That letter will say, ‘hey we have noticed that this has happened,’ and per the city ordinance, they are given 10 days to comply.” If residents fail to comply in those 10 days, Chatwin said, “Then we take another picture and send them another letter, which is the formal notice, giving them 15 more days by ordinance to comply.” Finally, if there is no response a citation is given.
Referring to citations, Chatwin said, “We always go by what the issue is, is it an inoperable vehicle, an unlicensed vehicle, or is it abandoned, because these are different issues. Then we give citations on what is out of compliance.” After that the city attorney and the court system then deal with the matter.
“Of those cases, we have only had to take two to court. The first one was dismissed because the gentleman finally moved the vehicle and the second is still in court with another appearance scheduled for Jan. 24.” Chatwin continued, “It is out of our hands once it goes to legal.”
According to the city code, a violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $2,500, imprisonment for a period not to exceed six months, or both fine and imprisonment. In addition, each and every day that a violation or failure to perform continues is considered a separate offense.
City Inspector Marshall Larsen pointed out that vehicles do not necessarily have to be moved to be considered in compliance. “Move or cover,” he said. “One of the ordinances covers outdoor storage. It says, it can’t be stored outside and be visible from the street, so I’ll tell them, put a car cover over it and that way you are covered by the ordinance.” This solution only pertains to vehicles on private property. As Chatwin reiterated, “Arizona state law says you can’t leave the vehicle in the street for more than 48 hours, so we will let them know that they need to move it.”
Concerned Winslow residents have expressed issues with what is called, “right of entry,” when it comes to code enforcement. Winslow resident Mike Dugger, who had recently been warned about an abandoned vehicle on the street, said, “I don’t think they should be able to come on to my property and snoop around.”
Larsen addressed that issue and said, “Code compliance doesn’t walk on to a person’s property, beyond walking to the door. To come on someone’s property without permission you have to go through legal. The only time that we may go on to a person’s property is if it is abandoned and there is a safety issue.”
Chatwin concluded with the code compliance department’s goals for 2018. “We are going to continue doing what we are doing in enforcing code compliance. Also, helping the community understand what their responsibility is as a community, and encouraging them to help us make it better and more beautiful. We have to do it together, it takes all of us.”
He then explained that he has every intention of helping the community better itself. “I have a weed eater, I have a shovel, if we see an area that needs to be done, we just go and do it. We will help get someone to your property to remove your unwanted car. You live in a community.”
The public is welcome to read the city code and all of its ordinances both on the city website at www.winslowaz.gov or by visiting City Hall located at 21 N. Williamson Ave.
