Kingstown, St. Vincent, May 27, 2026-Superintendent of Police Parnell Browne has warned motorists and vehicle owners across Saint Vincent and the Grenadines that paying taxes on vehicles does not give them the right to park on public roads.
Mr Browne, who is in charge of Traffic, Transport and Garage within the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force, said the growing number of abandoned and improperly parked vehicles was creating serious problems for road users and residents.
“Do not give us the notion that or the thought that you are paying tax and your vehicle should be parked on the road. No,” he said.
Speaking during a public address on the issue of derelict vehicles, Mr Browne said he had traveled across the country and observed vehicles abandoned near homes, mechanic shops and along public roads, in some cases reducing already narrow roads to less than one lane.
He said homeowners must make adequate provisions for parking within their own property and should not rely on government roads for vehicle storage.
“You must provide a safe place for your vehicle to park when it is not being used on the public road and that safe place must be inside of your property because the vehicle is part of your property,” Mr Browne stated.
The senior police officer also criticised some mechanics and bodywork shops for accepting more vehicles than they could accommodate and leaving them parked on public roads.
“I have seen where we have some mechanic shops… taking in 15, 16, 17, 18 vehicles, parking them on the public road, making it impossible for members of the public to walk or to drive. This practice has to stop,” he said.
Mr Browne warned that police officers from the Traffic Department would be deployed across the country to deal with unattended and derelict vehicles.
He said motorists who fail to comply could face several charges, including causing inconvenience to the public, parking without reasonable consideration for other road users and parking in a dangerous position.
According to Mr Browne, offences could attract fines of up to EC$2,500 in the Magistrate’s Court, adding that some offenders had already been taken before the courts.
“We are stepping up our efforts in ensuring that our roads are clear and road safety is of its highest,” he said.