LETTER: Derelict Vehicles and Our Communities | Who’s Fixing This?

Published May 7, 2025, 6:50 AM

Derelict Vehicle removal project moving forward slowly, PM frustrated at pace — (File photo)

Dear Editor,

There have been a growing number of derelict vehicles across Antigua. These abandoned cars and trucks are scattered in residential areas, along roadways, and even near schools and businesses creating not only an eyesore but also a genuine public nuisance.

These vehicles have been left to deteriorate for years gathering rust, leaking fluids, attracting rodents and insects, and reducing property values in nearby communities.

For a country that relies heavily on tourism, the presence of these eye-crushing vehicles sends the wrong message to visitors and undermines efforts to keep our island clean and welcoming.

Derelict vehicles pose safety hazards, most particularly to children playing nearby and environmental threats due to leaking oil, fuel, and other toxins seeping into the ground.

I’m left to ask, Who’s responsible for taking old, abandoned and neglected vehicles from our community?

I urge the authorities to address this issue with urgency. There should be clear enforcement of vehicle disposal laws and consequences for those who abandon their vehicles in public spaces.

A coordinated effort between the government, local councils, and private sector (such as scrap and towing companies) could help remove these hazards efficiently.

Antigua and Barbuda is a beautiful nation, and we all have a role in protecting its appearance and health. Dealing with the problem of derelict vehicles is a step in the right direction.

Timothy Wilson

This story was first published by Antigua News on May 7, 2025 at 6:50 AM (Antigua time, UTC−4): antigua.news/2025/05/07/letter-derelict-vehicles-and-our-communities-whos-fixing-this. © 2025 Antigua News. Republication without permission is not allowed.

About the author

Orville Charles

Orville Charles grew up in Potters Village, Antigua. After graduating from the University of Baltimore with a degree in Digital Communication, he spent years in the Social Work field, serving vulnerable populations and doing community outreach. He is an avid student of History, with many years of freelance experience in Multimedia.

More articles by Orville

Read our editorial standards and corrections policy. Spotted an error? Contact the newsroom.

Comments (11)

Antigua Surf May 7, 2025, 7:05 AM

An eyessore to the general public, our vistors and our children. Somehow i find the government to don’t care if the way these things affect us or our country. The carelessness of people also comes to mind. Why leave a vehicle just abandoned? if you no longer need the vehicle or cannot fix it, make arrangements for it to be disposed.
Reply
Rhea May 7, 2025, 7:23 AM

Thank God someone spoke up. Cause its been too long for such a madness. Why leave a vehicle on the roads if you no long want them? Making the country look nasty
Reply
Teacher for Life May 7, 2025, 7:31 AM

I’ve complained about this same issue and my solution is as follows…place stickers as a warning to violators giving a set time to voluntarily remove the vehicle(s) and the consequences of not doing so. If not removed within said time, tow it/them to a scrap yard and sell to recoup expenses associated with disposal. We have to have a sense of civic pride taking accountability for keeping our communities clean, orderly and attractive. Enough with the ghetto, nasty, trashy, derelict mentality.
Reply
Teacher for Life May 7, 2025, 7:40 AM

I’ve complained of this and here’s my solution… place a sticker on the vehicle giving the owner a set time for its removal and consequences of not doing so. After set time expires, tow it to the scrap yard and sell it to recoup associated expenses. We have to have civic pride in keeping our communities clean orderly and attractive and getting rid of the ghetto, nasty, derelict mindset.
Reply
Stone May 7, 2025, 8:01 AM

The police is responsible but at the same time very don’t give a #$## about it
Reply
Juju Bee May 7, 2025, 8:21 AM

When the police try to remove these vehicles the owners come out of the woodwork to claim them.
They are then given time to remove them but they still don’t claiming they need them for parts ect.
Too many nasty people bout the place
Reply
Patriotic1 May 7, 2025, 8:57 AM

Why do you guys blame the state or police for everything. Come on. People have their old vehicles and just park them anywhere and leave them. I see the same thing relating to the way people just throw garbage out of their windows. Or dump baby diappers everywhere. People are quick to blame others for their nastyness
Reply
YouthfulOne May 7, 2025, 10:37 AM

I completely agree! The increase in derelict vehicles in Antigua is really concerning. It’s not just an eyesore; it poses safety hazards, especially near schools and businesses where children and families are present. We, even people like me who attend college need to find a way to address this issue before it gets worse.The buck stops with us. We are not too young to tell our parents…hey daddy the vehicle old and not running and wont work again so lets get it disposed the right way.
Reply
Anonymous May 7, 2025, 11:49 AM

Y’all antiguans love living in filth, it’s going on almost a decade some of these vehicles are on the street. Don’t y’all see your leadership doesn’t care about this issue or any issues you antiguans have. This place is such a joke town….
Reply
Niki May 7, 2025, 12:49 PM

These cars are icebergs/ SORE EYES across the entire country and creating accidents. The country needs to be cleaned up. Stop using the roads as mechanic shops ..
Reply
Robocar May 7, 2025, 6:07 PM

The Ministers responsible for those areas should be held accountable for keeping their arears Clean. They are the ones for keeping their community in Pristine condition.
Reply

More from Letters to the Editor

View section

Letters to the Editor October 21, 2026

LETTER: Employees Raise Management And Safety Concerns At Denis Bowers Rehabilitation Centre

Concerned employees call for an independent investigation into alleged management failures, staffing shortages and conditions affecting staff and residents.

By Editorial Staff

Cars line both sides of the road near the traffic lights, while an ambulance approaches in the distance with its lights flashing. Homes sit close to the road.

Letters to the Editor September 28, 2026

LETTER: A Call for Immediate Action on Excessive Noise, Traffic Obstruction and Blocked Emergency Routes

A public letter urges police to address loud music, traffic obstruction and blocked emergency access near Valley and Desouza Road.

By Editorial Staff

Letters to the Editor September 25, 2026

OPINION: THE $3 BILLION WAKE-UP CALL: Who Owns Caribbean Tourism?

By Editorial Staff

Letters to the Editor September 23, 2026

LETTER: Concerned Parent Raises Questions About Fairness at Clare Hall Secondary School

By Editorial Staff

LETTER: Derelict Vehicles and Our Communities | Who’s Fixing This?

First, open this page in Safari

Update your iPhone first

Tap the ⋯ button

Tap Share

Tap the Share button

Tap the Share button

Tap Add to Home Screen

Keep Open as Web App on, then tap Add

Tap Add

Close the browser and open Antigua.news from its new icon

Tap 🔔 Turn on alerts, then Allow

Orville Charles

Comments (11)

Submit a comment

More from Letters to the Editor

LETTER: Employees Raise Management And Safety Concerns At Denis Bowers Rehabilitation Centre

LETTER: A Call for Immediate Action on Excessive Noise, Traffic Obstruction and Blocked Emergency Routes

OPINION: THE $3 BILLION WAKE-UP CALL: Who Owns Caribbean Tourism?

LETTER: Concerned Parent Raises Questions About Fairness at Clare Hall Secondary School