Dec. 18, 2002 – Anyone traveling through Smith Bay mid day on Wednesday would have met a most unusual line-up of vehicles, as four tow trucks, each with a wrecked vehicle attached, removed derelict vehicles from that neighborhood.
A release from government house later in the day said that 100 such abandoned vehicles had been removed from St. Thomas neighborhoods since Monday.
The clean-up has been launched by Gov. Charles W. Turnbull's Abandoned Vehicle and Beautification Task Force, chaired by James O'Bryan, assistant to the governor.
O'Bryan said not only will the vehicles be removed, but a $250 fine will be assessed to the last registered owner the next time he or she attempts to register a vehicle at Inspection Lane.
Abandoned vehicles are not the only blight that is being attacked by the task force, which is operated in conjunction with the Anti Litter and Beautification Commission of St. Thomas/St. John.
According to the release other citations for code violations for "health and environmental" problems have been issued to various business. The release was not specific on what the problems were, but said the neighborhoods affected included, along with Smith Bay, the north side of the Holiday Inn Windward Passage Hotel, Anna's Fancy, Altona, Mahogany Estate, Savan, Polyberg, the parking lot near Percy's Buss Stop and near the entrance to the Cyril E. King Airport .
"It is clear we are making headway in improving the overall appearance of many of our neighborhoods and roadways.," O'Bryan said. "We are asking the public to support the work of the task force by voluntary compliance with the objective of cleaning up and removing debris while the task force is willing to assist."
