A sporty white Eagle Talon and a blue and silver Chevrolet van were among six vehicles ticketed and towed Saturday during a sting operation by Denver police and city officials who say they no longer will tolerate illegal car sales on private property and in vacant lots in northeast Denver.
“We’ve had enough,” said City Councilman Michael Hancock. “It’s a safety and quality- of-life issue.”
Hancock said he’s been addressing the problem for two years in District 11, which he represents and includes Montbello, Green Valley Ranch, northeast Park Hill, Stapleton, Gateway and Parkfield.
Three weeks ago, Hancock said he met with police, landowners, Neighborhood Inspection Services and Parking Management officials to look at the problem they say has become a liability, eyesore and nuisance issue.
People are leaving cars by the dozens in vacant lots and on privately owned businesses that are usually located at busy intersections throughout the city, but Montbello has been affected the most, Hancock said.
“Residents are calling me on my cell and home phone on the weekends to complain,” Hancock said.
Police say they will step up patrols to crack down on illegal car sales and owners will be ticketed and their cars booted or towed with or without warning in an attempt to curb the growing problem.
City officials suggest that car owners sell vehicles by placing ads in car magazines, newspapers or on the Internet, because it’s cheaper than paying towing and car impound fees, which can cost more than $200.
Jeff Whipple, a manager for Wyatt’s Towing, has specialized in removing illegally parked vehicles for 42 years.
“It’s a problem all over. They’re turning vacant lots into illegal car lots,” Whipple said.
Staff writer Annette Espinoza can be reached at 303-820-1655 or aespinoza@denverpost.com.
