VENTURA : Abandoned Vehicles Targeted in Sweep

Beginning today, Ventura residents who illegally store vehicles on city streets stand a higher risk of being fined and having their cars towed away.

For the next five days, Ventura police will scour the city in an attempt to locate and remove any abandoned vehicles, officials said.

Dubbed Operation Clean Sweep II, the effort is intended to reduce the number of complaints officers field, about nine per day, about abandoned cars, said Sgt. George Morris.

A Ventura ordinance prohibits storing vehicles on city streets for longer than 72 hours unless the vehicle is driven at least two-tenths of a mile, Morris said. The law includes boats, trailers and motor homes, he said.

Violators found during the week may be fined up to $100 and required to pay the cost of having their vehicles towed, Morris said.