LIHUE — The county is working to keep roadways free of abandoned, derelict vehicles. From Jan. 1 to Oct. 1 there were 949 reports of abandoned and derelict vehicles investigated by Kauai Police Department. From the reports investigated, 380 vehicles
LIHUE — The county is working to keep roadways free of abandoned, derelict vehicles.
From Jan. 1 to Oct. 1 there were 949 reports of abandoned and derelict vehicles investigated by Kauai Police Department. From the reports investigated, 380 vehicles were towed.
KPD’s Abandoned and Derelict Vehicle Coordinator Nancy Paliracio last month was honored as an employee of the month for her work in servicing 170 abandoned and derelict vehicle reports in July. Of the 170 reports, 66 vehicles were towed away and disposed.
“We completed a project in July, and each month it seems we are becoming more efficient and effective with the program,” Paliracio said.
Paliracio was also acknowledged for her initiatives to improve KPD’s citizen complaint process.
KPD Chief Darryl Perry said Paliracio is a hard worker who takes pride in her job.
“We are very grateful for our team of officers and employees, and thank them for their strong commitment and volunteerism,” he said.
KPD’s telephone hotline (241-1901) allows citizens to leave a complaint at anytime to provide an address and description of the vehicle for its running log. The KPD website also allows for reporting of vehicles via computer or smartphone.
“Additionally, our derelict/abandoned vehicle coordinator’s vehicle has been equipped with a computer which supports more timely responses and enables more productivity when on the road,” Paliracio said.
“When we observe a pattern or area with numerous complaints, rather than having one person responding to one vehicle at a time, we will generate a ‘project’ and address numerous vehicles over a one- or two-day period,” Paliracio said. “The projects have been successful due to predetermined planning, multiple personnel and scheduled towing contractors.”
She was able to create a new tagging system, expedite the pick-up time of tow calls, and utilize a mobile data terminal computer in her county vehicle to generate report numbers.
“The new tagging system not only meets requirements of HRS 290-1 (state law), it simply color codes the classification of the vehicle, i.e. orange for abandoned vehicles, green for derelict vehicles,” Paliracio said. “The sticker tags are more resistant to inclement weather and removal.”
In 2016, Kauai police investigated fewer abandoned and derelict vehicles than in previous years, with 566 reports.
County code defines abandoned vehicles as any left unattended for more than 24 hours on a public highway, unlawfully parked on public property or not moved outside of a one-mile radius from the location where adandoned stickers were posted.
A vehicle is also classified as derelict if major parts have been removed or damage has rendered it inoperable. When a vehicle has been posted abandoned or derelict, the vehicle owner is subject to paying a fine.
“Vehicles classified as abandoned are towed to Resource Recovery Solutions,” the Puhi metals recycling facility, Paliracio said.
The registered owner may recover the vehicle by going through a legal process, she said.
When a vehicle has been towed and disposed of, KPD pays for those services. If an abandoned vehicle is towed but later reclaimed, the vehicle owner must pay any fees incurred.
Abandoned vehicles are either auctioned or sent to Resource Recovery Solutions for recycling. KPD does not auction abandoned vehicles worth less than $1,000, the most common case for abandoned vehicles reported on Kauai.
