Fire marshal warns: get JMVs out of sight

Courtesy photo IT'S NOT SCULPTURE. Even with vines growing through the hood, it doesn't count as landscape ornament either. It's a JMV, junked motor vehicle, a violation of city code, and if the owner fails to remedy the situation, the city will confiscate the vehicles and dispose of them.

Jasper Fire Marshal Stephen Williamson has begun ticketing East Texas "yard art," junked vehicles that clutter the landscape.

The legal definition of a junked motor vehicle (JMV) is one that does not have current registration and inspection and is not operational, regardless of whether wrecked or dismantled.

"JMV's are not allowed to remain anywhere they are visible from a public place (the roadway). JMV's must be kept inside a building or an area with a fence that cannot be seen through, or they constitute a violation," Williamson said.

Williamson said car dealers are exempt from maintaining current registration and inspections on vehicles on their lots, but that non-operational or wrecked vehicles are still a violation when visible from public areas.

Enforcement comes in the form of three notices to the registered owner. Failure to correct JMV violations will result in the city confiscating the vehicle and disposing of it.

Williamson is also working to reduce "street spam." He is referring to the common practice of attaching garage sale/remodeling/lost dog signs to utility poles and street signs. It's a hazard to traffic and a violation of city code that may result in a citation and fine.