The Cincinnati Enquirer

A stricter city ordinance on junk cars goes into effect today, giving Cincinnati police the power to remove abandoned vehicles from private property.

Starting today, vehicle owners can be cited and fined $100 if the cars aren't removed in seven days.

The new ordinance, sponsored by Councilman Pat DeWine, defines a junk vehicle as a car or truck more than 3 years old, which is inoperable or heavily damaged, parked in the same place for 72 hours or more, and worth less than $1,500.

The law declares junk vehicles a "public nuisance" and applies to junk vehicles located in residential and commercial areas.

During a 30-day "April amnesty," during which the city offered to remove junk cars for free, the city towed about 100 cars, DeWine said.