Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Department of Sanitation

Streetsblog Gets Action: That Derelict Car in Harlem Has Finally Been Removed

On Jan. 16.

Going...

Jan 18 a

Going...

Jan 18 b

Gone.

jan 18 c

The junked car that had been sitting in front of a Harlem Assembly member's office for more than two weeks has finally been removed by the Sanitation Department two days after Streetsblog wrote up the car and its saga in these pages.

"You guys are better than 'Help me, Howard,'" said Wendy Frank, a Harlem resident who reported the abandoned car to the 32nd Precinct in late December.

Frank is now hoping that city officials can address several other derelict cars, just to the north of the junked Mercedes, which had been sitting in front of Assembly Member Al Taylor's office. She's reported those cars, too, and is just waiting for action.

Some of those vehicles are "derelict," meaning they don't have plates and have substantial damage. Others are "abandoned," meaning they still have license plates and appear to be operable, but have been reported as sitting on the streets for longer than a month. Abandoned cars are handled by NYPD. Derelict cars are handled by DSNY or one of its contractor, such as Allied.

We'll keep you posted.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Brooklyn Residents: Keep Historic Wood Bridge For Pedestrians And Cyclists Only!

As the Department of Transportation is set to reopen the Carroll Street Bridge, locals want it to only reopen to pedestrians and cyclists.

March 17, 2026

Tuesday’s Headlines: We Love A Parade (For Pedestrians) Edition

Organizers of today's St. Patrick's Parade are telling everyone to leave their cars at home. Plus other news.

March 17, 2026

Mamdani Uses ‘Sammy’s Law’ To Reduce Speed Limits To 15 MPH At Schools, But Broader Implementation Is Stalled

By the end of this year, 800 more streets in front of public school buildings will get 15-mile-per-hour speed limits, bringing the citywide total to 1,300. It's a start.

Amazon Owes Nearly $10M Unpaid Fines for Idling in New York City

The online retail giant owes more than any other other company issued fines through the city's Citizens Air Complaint Program.

March 16, 2026

Mamdani Administration Wants To Allow A Brooklyn Hospital To Issue Parking Tickets

Could parking tickets be written by someone other than NYPD traffic agents and cops? Time will tell if this is a good idea or not.

March 16, 2026

Bus Companies Say There’s a Better Way to Take a ‘Great American Road Trip’ This Summer

As Americans start planning their summer vacations, the country’s largest inter-city bus operator is challenging them to leave their cars at home.

March 16, 2026
See all posts