Gov’t should target derelicts for additional revenue
Second District Representative Melvin ‘Mitch’ Turnbull has suggested that the government could generate additional revenue by imposing fines on persons who abandon derelict vehicles and boats across the territory.
Speaking in the House of Assembly recently, Turnbull proposed using vehicle identification numbers (VINs) to trace abandoned vehicles to their registered owners and hold them financially accountable.
“Each one of those derelict vehicles has a VIN number on it, it’s tied to somebody in this territory,” Turnbull explained.
He suggested that owners should be required to settle outstanding fines before being allowed to renew their driver’s licences or register vehicles.
Turnbull said similar enforcement measures should apply to abandoned boats, arguing that owners must take responsibility for their property.
“So ministers, that would be a good way to earn revenue. And it would also discourage persons from doing what they do with these derelicts,” he stated.
He also complained about persons abandoning vehicles along public roads and using those spaces as makeshift mechanic shops.
The proposal formed part of Turnbull’s wider argument that government expenditure is increasing without sufficient new revenue streams to sustain its operations.
He pointed to the territory’s 2026 budget and the $100 million loan, questioning whether the government was generating enough income to support its growing financial obligations.
Turnbull estimated that salaries and employee-related expenses already consume between 75 and 77 percent of government expenditure, arguing that the territory will be in deep trouble if additional sources aren’t found soon.
“If that number continues to increase without additional revenue streams coming in, we are just going to be doing exercise of futility,” he warned.
He challenged the Virgin Islands Party administration to move beyond announcing plans and urgently pursue practical revenue-generating initiatives.
“We have to start to treat the aspects of government that deal with revenue like a business,” Turnbull argued.
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Was the likely fact that vehicles become derelict because their owners are short of cash considered in this calculus? What about the Territory wide lack of options to dispose of said derelict vehicles? How can any of this be considered a revenue stream given that people in general don’t routinely collect and keep derelict vehicles?
these the same people that drop their parents off at the hospital because they run from responsibilities. fine they ms
Can we get any lower than this? Just enforce the laws! The place looks horrible, it’s nasty, this is not a revenue generator, it’s about pride. Tag and DRAG the old pieces of s**t, crush them and get the metal off-island. The place looks like s**t! This rep will talk this talk but how many of the old boats and cars in the 2nd District you think he will move when they belong to his supporters? More lip service from the do-nothings who continue to get fat off taxpayer dollars.
I’m sorry but Mitch and the many political hopefuls need to come up with some better ways of generating big revenue. Targeting derelicts, I agree with but it will turn out to be a deterrent rather than the big revenue earner we need.
People must be held accountable and responsible for their discards; it’s not the Governments responsibility! and If the Government has to be responsible then the owners should be made to pay. If we keep doing things the same way we will continue to get the same results.
What happens if you don’t put proper measures in place and enforce them, then people will continue to discard their old vehicles wherever and expect the Government to take care of the disposal. NONSENSE!
I bet you if we do what Hon. Mitch recommended you will see a big improvement in this situation.
On a side note…. when someone puts a good idea forward embrace it rather than attacking the individual because you may not like them…. We are all in this together….
The derelicts in the HOA need to go while you’re at it.