By Val Matthias. Updated 8:47 p.m., Tuesday, May 26, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
Homeowners in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are being warned that they must make space for vehicles on their own property rather than relying on public roads for parking.
Speaking to the API about derelict and improperly parked vehicles, Superintendent of Police Parnell Browne said too many residents were building homes without providing adequate parking space, contributing to congestion and road safety concerns across the country.
Mr Browne, who is in charge of Traffic, Transport and Garage within the police force, said he had observed increasing numbers of vehicles abandoned or parked along roadsides, often narrowing already limited road space and obstructing access for residents and motorists.
“People believe that this is business as usual,” he said, describing the situation as unacceptable.
Addressing private homeowners directly, Mr Browne said that vehicle parking should be considered during the planning stage of residential construction.
“Now, you will submit a plan for your house to physical planning in order for a plan to be approved for you building your house,” he said. “We need to see on that plan if you have vehicles, where you are going to park your vehicles.”
He said public roads could not be treated as permanent parking areas for private property owners.
“It can’t be that the options you are going to give is on the government road. That is totally out of order,” Mr Browne said.
According to the superintendent, some homeowners were keeping multiple vehicles parked outside their gates, obstructing the free flow of traffic and restricting neighbours’ access to their homes.
“We have seen in areas where homeowners have two, three, four, five vehicles parked just outside their gates,” he said. “For me, this practice must stop and it must stop immediately.”
Mr Browne said complaints from residents about blocked driveways and restricted access had become increasingly common.
“When you are building your homes make space to park your vehicles in your yard” she said
Mr Browne also criticised mechanics and body shops operating without sufficient space to accommodate customer vehicles, saying some businesses were leaving large numbers of vehicles parked on public roads. “This practice has to stop,I am not begging you or asking you , this practice has to stop” he said.
He warned that police would intensify enforcement measures across the country, including in rural and urban communities, targeting derelict and unattended vehicles.
“The police from the traffic department will be out throughout St Vincent and the Grenadines,” he said, adding that enforcement efforts were already being stepped up.
The superintendent said motorists could face charges for causing inconvenience, parking without reasonable consideration for other road users or leaving vehicles in dangerous positions. Fines could reach EC$2,500 through the magistrate’s court.
END
About the Author: This story was written and submitted by freelance journalist Mr. Val Matthias, a trained communicator with more than two decades in the media sector. All supporting materials for this story have been presented, vetted, and verified. Mr Matthias can be reached at valmatthias188@gmail.com
One News SVG 