By AMY McCULLOUGH
Staff Writer
Citizens of Itta Bena are getting the annual reminder to remove junk cars from their yards by January or face a fine, said Itta Bena Police Chief Coy Lee Keys.
The car problem is not unusually bad this year.
"It's about the same," Keys said. "In the city of Itta Bena we're trying to clean up around the home … (Junk cars) take the property values down."
There has been a city ordinance against junk cars in yards for years, he said.
Residents may call the Itta Bena Police Department for information on how to dispose of their cars. Fines for ticketed cars range from $25 to $100.
Some people use abandoned vehicles around houses for storage, Keys said. But sometimes windshields blow out in the summer and water collects, making breeding pools for mosquitoes. Some even leave dogs tied to them, Keys said.
Residents may have a wrecked vehicle towed home thinking they will repair it but never do. If ticketed residents ask for an extension for repairs, it is up to a judge's discretion, Keys said.
"We give them another chance," Keys said. "We're not trying to take anybody's car."
One option for removal is Parker Wrecker and Salvage in Greenwood, which buys, sells and tows cars for parts.
Employees will come to a person's home and quote a price to a car owner. If an agreement is made, the business will haul the car away. Parker does not scrap cars, however.
The owner must have a title, employee Brian Hollis said.
Also, "it depends on time," he said. Potential customers should make reservations in advance.
Metal Management Mississippi Inc. is a scrap yard and also has a Greenwood location. Cars must be towed to Metal Management at the owner's expense. The company does not accept gas tanks or tires.
Compensation is $4.50 per 100 pounds, store officials said.
The Itta Bena Police Department may be reached at (662) 254-6333 for more information.
