Initiative to remove abandoned cars from Philly streets begins

The city of Philadelphia is working on getting abandoned cars removed from neighborhood streets with a new initiative.

Residents in the Northeast section of the city say that they're looking forward to the clean up event in their neighborhood on Wednesday.

"What it does is it creates a havoc as far as drug dealers hiding drugs in there, people sleeping in there. It’s not a good site at all," neighbor Harry Boyd said.

Police with the Neighborhood Service Unit began the sweep on Monday after the department got over 800 calls from residents reporting cars that were abandoned in their neighborhoods.

"We are trying to make it better for the community. Nobody wants to see that stuff on their block," Lt. Chris Lantz said.

Officials say that abandoned cars create quality of life challenges as they lower property values and attract crime as well as pose environmental hazards by possible leaking harmful substances.

Some broken down cars have flat tires, shattered windows and graffiti painted on them.

Some neighbors who spoke with NBC10 shared their concerns over their temporarily broken down cars being targeted.

"That’s definitely a concern. There’s been a number of cars that I’ve had on the road that I need to get work done on but you can’t do everything at once," neighbor Carlos González said,

Police in Philadelphia said that officers will be checking for car registration and updated inspections as well as hazards like broken windows and damage before getting tow trucks out to remove the vehicle.

This initiative is part of Mayor Cherelle Parker's efforts to make Philadelphia safer, greener and cleaner.

Neighbors are hoping now that the abandoned car sweeps have ramped up, they keep going.

"If you go and clean it up, come back and police it because they might bring another one," Huntington Park resident Cora Pridgen said.

Officials say the overall goal is to only have working and legal cars throughout Philly streets.

If you would like to report an abandoned vehicle in the city of Philadelphia, click here.