Sitka police tag 27 vehicles in abandoned-car crackdown since May

The Sitka Police Department has tagged 27 vehicles since May 2026 as part of an ongoing effort to clear abandoned, inoperable, and junk vehicles from public streets. Of those, 15 have been disposed of, 5 were voluntarily removed by their owners, and 7 are still inside the 20-day certified-letter notification window.

The city says the campaign is intended to improve neighborhood appearance and public safety, free up on-street parking, encourage accurate vehicle registration records, and address abandoned vehicles on public property in a fair and consistent manner.

An orange tag does not mean a tow truck is coming the next morning. Alaska law and City and Borough of Sitka code require a legal process that typically runs 30 to 60 days before most vehicles can be removed. Officers first try to identify the last registered owner, then mail a certified letter giving the owner 20 days to act. Wrecked or junk vehicles are an exception: those can be impounded at the department's discretion after 24 hours.

Owners who receive a certified letter can avoid removal costs by moving the vehicle, correcting its registration, or otherwise resolving the matter before the process concludes. If the vehicle goes unclaimed after all legal requirements are met, the city may remove, sell, or destroy it at the owner's expense.

Common reasons for a tag include parking beyond posted time limits, a vehicle that no longer runs, outdated ownership records, or unpaid parking violations. The city says the process is designed to protect property rights while reducing unnecessary towing and storage costs.

Residents who spot an abandoned vehicle on public property can report it to the Sitka Police Department at 907-747-3245. Callers should provide the vehicle's location and any identifying details they have.