Derelict Cars Have Remained on Bwy for Three Years; City Notified in 2022
Thursday, May 08, 2025
FIRST IMPRESSIONS ARE LASTING!!!
What does blight like this say about Gloucester City? "Some have no community pride."
William E. Cleary Sr. | CNBnews
GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (May 8, 2025)(CNBNews)--THE three vehicles were moved to 241 S. Broadway by the property owner, a Philadelphia resident, in 2022. At that time, he alleged that parking officials in Philadelphia were going to fine him if he didn't remove them, and that was the reason he relocated them to Gloucester City. That same individual threatened CNBNews with a lawsuit in 2022 for taking pictures of those cars from the street. According to public records, the owner is Father & Son Enterprises LLC. The property was purchased in 2008 for $147,500, with property taxes assessed at $7,614 on a value of $151,900. Some businesses that have occupied the property over the years include Gloucester Auto, owned by Bud Goldy, and Towne House Florist, owned by Charles Sarlo. [photo credit CNBNews]
A view of the cars from across the street. South Broadway is one of the main thorofares for transit coming and going to and from the City. According to an AI search, abandoned/derelict vehicles negatively impact communities by posing safety hazards, creating public nuisances, and diminishing property values. They can also be environmentally damaging and contribute to blight. Abandoned vehicles can harbor vermin, attract pests, and create breeding grounds for diseases, posing risks to public health. They can also be a danger to children and others, especially if they are inoperable or contain hazardous materials.
Below is a conversation between CNBNews Editor, William E. Cleary Sr., and Brian Morrell, Police Chief and Acting City Administrator, about this problem on April 27, 2022. In a recent communication dated May 8, 2025, Vanessa Little, the Municipal Clerk, provided clarity regarding Chapter 88, which was enacted in 1965 and updated in 1974, 1983, 2003, and 2021. After reviewing those amendments, it's clear that none have stripped the police department of its authority to enforce that ordinance, nor did the amendments designate the Housing Office as the primary enforcer.
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The Gloucester City law, Chapter 88, on abandoned/unregistered/derelict vehicles clearly states that the police department is responsible for enforcement, not the Housing Officer, as Morrell alleged.
The first sentence reads, "Whenever it shall appear to any member of the police department of GLOUCESTER CITY that 88-2 of this ordinance is being violated and that the land on which the violation exist is prvately owned, he shall, in writing notify the owner or tenant in possesion of the land on which the violation exists to abate the violation by removing the article or articles.
Three years later, the same derelict vehicles remain parked at the same location as they were in 2022.
WHY IS THIS ALLOWED IN GLOUCESTER CITY?-Both derelict vehicles are parked on the side of Railroad Avenue. Just a short walk towards Monmouth Street is the City Housing Office.
WHY IS THIS ALLOWED IN GLOUCESTER CITY?--Additionally, we took this photo of a van and a car with an expired registration sticker that appears to have been sitting in the same spot on the side of Railroad Avenue for a lengthy time; grass and weeds have engulfed it. The panel truck parked next to the car is approximately 200 feet from the Gloucester City Housing Office (the grey building in the distance). The car has a New York license plate. Similar to the vehicles at 241 S. Broadway, the panel truck has also been parked in that spot on Railroad Avenue for the past three years. Why is this allowed in Gloucester City
The complete sentence for the procedure for violations on privately owned land, along with a link to the ordinance, appears below:
When searching the internet for the effect of an abandoned or derelict motor vehicle on a community, the AI's response was MOST HELPFUL.
AI Overview
Abandoned vehicles negatively impact New Jersey communities by posing safety hazards, creating public nuisances, and diminishing property values. They can also be environmentally damaging and contribute to blight.
Specific Impacts:
- Safety and Public Health:
Abandoned vehicles can harbor vermin, attract pests, and create breeding grounds for diseases, posing risks to public health. They can also be a danger to children and others, especially if they are inoperable or contain hazardous materials.
Public Nuisance:
Abandoned vehicles are often unsightly and can significantly reduce the aesthetic appeal of a neighborhood, contributing to a sense of blight.- Environmental Damage:
Abandoned vehicles can deteriorate, releasing pollutants into the soil and groundwater, potentially contaminating the environment.
Property Value Depreciation:
The presence of abandoned vehicles can negatively impact property values in surrounding areas, making it harder to sell or rent properties.
Waste of Resources:
Abandoned vehicles represent a waste of valuable resources, including materials, energy, and land.
Fiscal Burden on Municipalities:
Municipalities often bear the cost of removing and disposing of abandoned vehicles, placing a strain on their budgets.
Potential for Crime:
Abandoned vehicles can attract vandals and criminals, potentially increasing crime rates in the affected areas.
It's disheartening to see the challenges posed by abandoned vehicles in Gloucester City, especially given the limited enforcement of Chapter 88 by those in charge. A few years ago, a city lot on Little Ridgeway Street that stretched behind Cumberland Street homes became such an eyesore that neighbors voiced their concerns to the police and other officials about vagrants sleeping in the abandoned vehicles and rats and other pests nesting in them. Drug addicts were often seen inside them, too, said residents. Thankfully, after a CNBNews editorial brought attention to the issue, the lot was finally cleared, demonstrating the power of community advocacy. Let’s work together to ensure our city remains clean and welcoming for everyone!
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