Abandoned Vehicles, March 6

News release CCSO.  Recently the Coos County Sheriff’s Office has seen an increase in the occurrence of abandoned vehicles left either on public roadways, public properties or forest lands. Because the issue appears to be one which vehicle owners are leaving the vehicles on public lands with the expectation that public funds will be used to properly dispose of the property; new measures have become appropriate to implement. When a vehicle is left as abandoned, Oregon law permits that the last known owner of the vehicle may be held responsible for financial costs of removal as well as possible charges violations of Oregon criminal law for abandoning a vehicle. It is incumbent upon the owners of a vehicle to update the Department of Motor Vehicles if and when a vehicle changes ownership.  If the previous owners of a vehicle still appear on the Department of Motor Vehicles records as the owner, they may be held accountable for the financial costs of the removal as well as be issued a court summons for abandoning a vehicle. The Department of Motor Vehicles can assist with this process at their offices or you can use online resources at http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/DMV/pages/vehicle/sell.aspxto make these changes in the records.  The DMV form to make these changes can be found at http://www.odot.state.or.us/forms/dmv/6890.pdf .  Changes in ownership information should be done within ten days of the date of sale. The Coos County Sheriff’s Office will investigate the cases and if appropriate the last known registered owners of a vehicle may be held accountable for the abandoned vehicle and associated costs. Please update your vehicle ownership records to avoid possible confusion and possible issues as the Coos County Sheriff’s Office attempts to curtail this problem. On Wednesday, 03/01/2017 person(s) unknown towed a small camp trailer out to North Fork Road, outside of Myrtle Point and just abandoned it in the middle of the roadway, even leaving the stinger and ball attached to the trailer.  The suspects un-pinned the stinger, backed the trailer up and then drove forward leaving the stinger and ball attached to the trailer and the trailer in the middle of the road.  In doing this they left a very deep gouge in the roadway.  The Sheriff’s Office towed the vehicle and are looking for the people responsible.  If identified criminal charges will be filed.