Administration rejects Moylan's claim that nothing has been done to address abandoned vehicles

The Leon Guerrero-Tenorio administration rejected Attorney General Douglas Moylan's claim that the government has done "nothing" since January 2023 to address Guam's abandoned vehicle problem, citing the removal of roughly 500 vehicles this year.

During the launch of the Guam Bomb Buster program, Moylan said he had an "inordinate amount" of meetings with Lt. Governor Josh Tenorio over the last four years and expressed disappointment that "nothing" has been done, despite giving the administration "pathways" to ship abandoned vehicles off island.

The governor's office refuted the claim citing data.

"In this case, the claim that the administration 'has not done anything' is contradicted by approximately 500 abandoned vehicles that have been removed from public and private spaces from Yigo to Merizo this year and in the custody of the Department of Public Works," the governor's office told Guam News Network.

The administration was adamant that "numbers don't lie," further breaking down the figure.

"Friday, Aug. 28 was the 240th day of the calendar year and day 331 of the fiscal year. Numbers don’t lie and by any math or measure, other than Doug Moylan’s, there are abandoned vehicles being removed from public and private spaces from Yigo to Merizo at a rate of 1.5 to 2.09 a day, every day, all year long including weekends and holidays," the administration said.

The governor's office said public servants are on the job constantly including the various working groups that make up the Island Beautification Task Force.

Though the task force has not met in recent months due to "scheduling conflicts" the administration said, "The structure of the Task Force to include multiple small working groups has made it possible for work to continue even in the absence of full IBTF membership meetings."

Addressing the abandoned vehicle issue on Guam is one of IBTF's many action items.

"Until this year funding for removal of abandoned vehicles was allocated to mayors; the Mayors Council of Guam struggled with their procurement process for years, compounding the problem. This year DPW has been removing vehicles, and private partners have helped also. An RFP for disposal was issued," the administration said.

The administration argued that despite their efforts, on the front lines the issue is stuck in a cycle.

"Public servants on the front line of the abandoned vehicle issue will tell you straight out: time after time a vehicle will be pulled out of the jungle or from the roadside and within days another will appear in the same spot, the governor's office said, "It’s not only frustrating but deeply concerning that there are residents of our island who by abandoning vehicles self-sabotage efforts to make Guam as attractive and appealing as possible; for our own enjoyment and that of visitors who choose Guam in a time when the global tourism market is hyper-competitive."

Moylan believes the threat of prosecution will help curb the number of vehicles disposed of illegally.

Article 6 of 10 Guam Code Annotated (GCA) Chapter 51, Solid Waste Management and Litter Control, provides the enforcement authority to the Attorney General.

"So, these abandoned cars clearly fall within debris refuse that would subject them to a possible felony. That's how we are going to approach it. There's also possible trespassing to government property types of issues, misdemeanor violation. We're going to throw the book at them. We've had it," Moylan said.

Moylan said he's already tried the civil approach, however argued that the statute is "administratively difficult for this government to handle."

Moylan's office will be gathering information on abandoned vehicles to include owner information and charge them with "felonies and misdemeanors."

"We are going to have a short amnesty period. Anyone that has dumped their car in any part of Guam especially the mayors are aware of these vehicles. If they come forward to the attorney general's office and identify themselves and where their vehicles are at, we will work with them without filing and taking their names before a grand jury to indict them," Moylan said noting the amnesty period's end would be announced at a later time.

Those that don't come forward he said they will be charged.

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