New program clears base of abandoned vehicles

          The 87th Security Forces Squadron began a program earlier this year to clear illegally parked vehicles from base. The Abandoned Vehicle Program was created in response to an increasing number of deserted vehicles on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey.

          “As of yesterday, we have 110 vehicles tagged as abandoned on base,” said Tech. Sgt. Jordan Barth, 87th SFS Abandoned Vehicle program non-commissioned officer in charge. “There’s quite a few vehicles that we keep finding in housing or parking lots scattered throughout base. People PCS [permanent change of station] or they just don’t want their cars anymore.”

          The program aims to solve this problem by identifying abandoned vehicles and towing them to an impound parking lot where they are stored. The registered owner will then be notified and given two options: come and get it or sign the title over to security forces.

          “Any vehicle that looks abandoned: flat tires, debris around the tires, any kind of suspicion that the vehicle is abandoned-we tag them,” said Barth. “Once we tag them we give them three days to either move their vehicle or respond to us. If any vehicle is considered inoperable, then we will tow that vehicle immediately.”

          For those that are deployed, Barth explains that she will check the Joint Base MDL government email list. If the registered owner has a deployed email address, they will not tow the vehicle.  

          The 87th SFS requires all vehicles on base to keep up-to-date on registration and insurance.  There is no extended long-term parking lot available on JB MDL, however personnel have some options when it comes to leaving their cars on base:

1. Personnel must leave their vehicle at their duty section or at their residence when deploying or on an Extended TDY for more than 60 days.
2. Each unit is responsible for maintaining the vehicle information for their personnel who plan on leaving their privately owned vehicle at the unit during TDYs or deployment. 
3. Personnel on leave or a short term TDYs of 60 days or less are authorized to park at the Passenger Terminal.  They must register their vehicle with the appropriate Passenger Terminal personnel.

For more information or questions about the program, contact Tech. Sgt. Jordan Barth at (609) 562-4111.