Abandoned Car Draws Neighborhood's Ire

Neighbors along Eliot Street have had enough of an abandoned car that has been taking up precious parking for more than five months.

The car, which has California plates, is covered in snow and ice.

Someone has plastered the driver's side front window with a call to action. The sign urges neighbors to call an abandoned vehicle hotline. That number connects with the auto investigations section at the Boston Police.

A better number to call, according to city officials, is the Mayor's Hotline at 617-635-4500.

Technically, any vehicle in the same spot for 72 hours or more can be considered an abandoned vehicle, though common sense must be used, said Transportation Department spokesperson Tracey Ganiatsos.

When vehicles are reported abandoned, she said, big green stickers are put on the windows and the owner has 72 hours before the vehicle may be towed and, eventually, sold at auction.

[Editor's note: I sent a report about the car to the Mayor's office using the Citizen Connect iPhone app.]