NAVAL BASE GUAM (April 25, 2024) – U.S. Naval Base Guam (NBG) is amplifying efforts to remove abandoned vehicles throughout the installation.
In coordination with NBG Security, Navy Exchange (NEX) Guam, and NBG’s Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR), more than 140 abandoned vehicles were identified and will be moved to a designated lot on-base for further processing and potential auction through MWR.
“In 2023, we towed 94 vehicles and so far in 2024 we have towed 25 vehicles,” said NBG Deputy Security Officer John Paul San Nicolas.
After Navy Security Forces (NSF) personnel verifies the vehicles are abandoned, they are safely removed through NEX Guam’s Autoport towing services. NSF personnel intend to remove up to 15 abandoned vehicles per week.
The cause of abandoned vehicles often stems from owners failing to properly register their vehicles on base.
“Vehicles that belong to personnel that PCS, both civilian and military, are required to register their vehicles at the Visitor Control Center (VCC),” San Nicolas said.
While the information to register vehicles is disseminated via NBG’s mandatory Area Orientation Briefing and through tenant command leadership, personnel often ignore this step.
“The vehicles are passed from person to person, which makes it difficult to track the current owner,” San Nicolas said.
According to NBG’s Installation Traffic Control Policy (NAVBASEGUAMINST 5560.2E), abandoned vehicles are those that have been stationary for an extended period and vehicles missing license plates or other evidence of ownership. Vehicles in authorized long-term deployment holding lots are the exception.
Navy Security Forces personnel take note of the vehicles, and tag them with large neon stickers citing that they have 72-hours to move the vehicle before impound procedures are initiated.
These procedures include, but are not limited to, attempting contact with the owner and towing and impounding for 120 days. During this time, Security personnel make further attempts to contact the owner. The final action is the sale or destruction of the vehicle if the owner does not retrieve it.
If an individual is found to have abandoned a vehicle, they may be issued a citation. Additionally, individuals who are found stealing parts off abandoned cars may also be apprehended for theft.
San Nicolas emphasized the process of properly turning over the vehicle is equally as important as registering the vehicle.
“This should be part of their check out process to ensure they have cleared their vehicles as either sold, given away or junked,” San Nicolas said. “Either way, the member will have to provide the means of how the vehicle is no longer their responsibility. If they sell it, they need to provide a bill of sale with the new owner or bring the new owner to the Visitor Control Center so they can show transfer.”
Once abandoned, the vehicles become eyesores throughout the base, San Nicolas explained.
“We make the process as simple as possible,” San Nicolas said. “Abandoning a vehicle may seem like the simplest option but it’s a bad decision for you, your command, and the community no matter what condition the vehicle is in.”
To report abandoned vehicles, call (671) 888-9606.
To register or transfer ownership of your vehicle, visit the NBG Visitor Control Center.
Future auction dates for abandoned vehicles will be announced via the MWR Guam Facebook Page at
https://www.facebook.com/MWRGuam.