The Belize City Council is intensifying efforts to regulate mechanics operating without trade licenses and leaving abandoned vehicles on streets, City Administrator Albert Vaughan announced, citing safety concerns and the need to clean up neighborhoods.
During a recent interview, Vaughan explained that this crackdown aims to address the issue of unlicensed mechanics who not only lack the necessary trade licenses but also create disturbances in residential areas. "These mechanics who operate without trade licenses and plus operate in a neighborhood…create a lot of concern for the residents," Vaughan said, highlighting the impact of these activities on local communities.
Vaughan emphasized that abandoned vehicles left on the streets by these mechanics pose potential safety risks and could be linked to criminal activities. "Abandoned vehicles on the streets—we don't know who stores what in those vehicles…we believe they are used for criminal activities," he added. The council has increased its enforcement efforts, with teams actively working to identify and summon offenders to court, aiming to remove these vehicles and restore order.
The city’s approach is twofold: ensuring that mechanics operating in the city have the required trade licenses and preventing the accumulation of junk vehicles that can turn neighborhoods into "junkyards." Vaughan specifically pointed out areas like Farber’s Road, where unlicensed operations have led to streets becoming cluttered and dangerous. “Look at Farber's Road…not only the streets are narrow and endanger other people's lives, but the whole place becomes a junkyard,” Vaughan stated.
Additionally, Vaughan mentioned that the council has a process in place to tag vehicles and notify owners. "We normally tag the vehicle first," he explained, noting that this is part of a broader initiative to clean up city streets and ensure compliance with municipal regulations. The city administrator reiterated that the city is not against small businesses but stressed the importance of operating within legal boundaries. "We always say we want the little man to eat, but they must do it without infringing on other people," he said.
The crackdown also extends to addressing other forms of public nuisances, including illegal dumping and the management of abandoned properties. Vaughan encouraged residents to work with the city council for proper disposal of waste, including bulky items like old appliances and tires, sometimes for a small fee depending on the situation.
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