ST. THOMAS — A task force composed of various government agencies shut down an unlicensed mechanic shop last Wednesday in Estate Frydenhoj on St. Thomas that was contributing to a growing problem of abandoned vehicles in the area that were removed today, according to a government official.
St. Thomas/Water Island Administrator Avery Lewis said the investigation into the illegal business was sparked by community complaints his office received about the derelict vehicles.
“We did a couple site visits, and upon getting in the area, I recognized that there’s about 25 to 30 abandoned vehicles gathered about a whole long roadway,” he said. “The chief cause of this was because there was a mechanic shop there.”
An investigation revealed the mechanic shop was illegally operating on private property without the proper permits.
“He’s not the property owner,” Lewis said. “He doesn’t have a lease or anything, and he doesn’t have a Virgin Islands business license to operate a mechanic shop.”
Lewis then put together a task force with officials from the Virgin Islands Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs, VI Police Department, VI Fire and Emergency Medical Services, and his office, which falls under the Office of the Governor. He said DLCA issued a cease-and-desist order as well as fines for operating without a business license.
“We didn’t go the full hard course on him, but we asked him to cease and desist and he was issued several citations,” Lewis said.
While the government tagged and removed the abandoned vehicles on the road, Lewis said he gave the operator of the mechanic shop two weeks to clear other vehicles from the property. After tagging the vehicles on the road, Lewis said some of the owners had already removed them before today’s operation.
“That made it a little easier,” he said, noting about 20 vehicles were taken to the Bovoni Landfill to be crushed. “The roadway is now clear.”
In addition to receiving a mandate to clear vehicles off the property, Lewis said VIFEMS gave the shop owner suggestions to comply with fire safety guidelines.
“When they come back the next time, he will be issued a citation if he doesn’t come to compliance with what they have in place,” he said, adding the shop owner must also obtain a valid business license and lease from the landowner before he can reopen.
Richard Motta Jr., Government House communications director, said during a weekly press briefing held today that DLCA shut down two mechanic shops last week on St. Thomas because they were illegally operating.
Lewis clarified there were two mechanic shops operating side by side in Estate Frydenhoj. While the owner of one of the shops received citations, he said the owner of the second shop was not on the property.
“We couldn’t find the owner, so we left a note,” he said. “We left something on the gate asking for this business to not operate again, but we’re making site visits until we catch up with them.”
Lewis emphasized the importance of community involvement in addressing such issues.
“I really thank the community for always coming forward and stepping up and helping us,” he said.
Lewis urged other illegal operators to heed his warning and complete the proper steps before opening a business.
“We’re out there,” he said. “We’re looking for these types of things because we cannot continue business as usual affecting the neighborhoods. So, if you know you’re running an illegal mechanic shop, I ask you to stop. Do the right thing.”
