West Memphis cracking down on ‘ghost cars’
City codes being strictly enforced in fight against blight
By DON WILBURN
news@theeveningtimes.com
The City of West Memphis, in cooperation with the WMPD Department of Code Enforcement, has begun rigorously enforcing code ordinances citywide that date back to 2007 yet have had a lapsed adherence over the past decade.
Under Mayor Marco Mc-Clendon, those ordinances regarding unkempt yards, poorly maintained homes,
See CARS, page A3
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Mayor Marco McClendon surveys the scene of a dilapidated property in the city last September. Almost a year later, and West Memphis Code Enforcement is still working to step up enforcement of the city’s ordinances against blight, including illegal dumping, unkempt property and abandoned or inoperable vehicles.
Junk cars parked in the yard, a violation of West Memphis city code.
From page A1
and inoperable vehicles have been focused on, studied and updated, beginning in 2020 and as of late are being more rigorously imposed.
West Memphians may _nd that their vehicle has been towed or that they have received a citation for not following the city’s guidelines regarding inoperable vehicles, proper tire disposal, grass that has grown over 15 inches, weeds, proper trashcan placement, non-removal of litter, debris and/or other unsightly items deemed by the city to be a public nuisance, unsanitary or unsafe. Charges incurred by the city for the cleanup may result in _nes or even a lien places against property owners.
Properties, both public and private, requiring maintenance will be noti_ed by mail of the resolution and infraction(s) and will have ten days after said noti_cation to resolve the situation themselves before the city will take action. Notices will be sent to property owners if their current whereabouts are known or to their last known address if unknown. The city also encourages proper clean up procedures to be followed regarding solid waste disposal and not dumping/blowing excessive leaves, grass trimmings, branches, etc into storm drains.
In addition to residents being held responsible for personal property maintenance the city has begun towing vehicles that are deemed inoperable, to wit, vehicles that cannot be driven legally/ safely on city streets that have invalid tags, missing wheels/headlights, vehicles without a mufer, set upon blocks, are unlicensed, have been abandoned or what has colloquially become known as “ghost cars” in which license plates for a different vehicle have been illegally switched to untagged vehicle and cars that have no discernible owners. These ordinances apply to both public and private properties. Fines for offenses begin at $250 for a _rst offense and can reach as high as $1,000 for the fourth and reoccurring offenses. It is of special note that citizens be advised that a last minute addition to the new stricter ordinances also include even licensed/ legal vehicles parked on city streets overnight and may be towed at the owner’s expense without warning.
For further information, residents may call the West Memphis Department of Code Enforcement at 870-732-7500.
