ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — Got an untagged vehicle on your property? Maybe a sunflower is pushing its way up past the engine block of the ’73 Chevy you have adorning the front yard.

If you live in Robertsdale, you had better move it. If it does not have tags, or if it has been on the street or in your front yard more than 72 hours, it could run afoul of the city’s “junk vehicle” law. Maybe it will look better in the back yard.

“We are trying to get some more enforcement,” said Assistant Police Chief Brian Middleton, adding that an updated ordinance was adopted about a year ago.

“The vehicles are hazardous to kids and an eyesore,” said Middleton.

And while the RPD is stepping up enforcement, Middleton was quick to add that someone making a good faith effort would be cut some slack.

But not a lot.

“We will work with them. But, they still have to move it,” said Middleton. He added that people working on their “classics” had the option to move the vehicles to their back yards, an enclosed building or to a commercial site that repairs vehicles.

“If it does not have a current tag or it’s not safe to operate legally, it should be in the back yard,” said Middleton.

This is not a new rule in Robertsdale.

“The ordinance was updated a year ago,” said Middleton, adding that the problem of unsightly, possibly dangerous abandoned vehicles has been growing.

“We have been getting more calls about abandoned vehicles,” said Middleton.

If someone wishes to complain about a possible abandoned vehicle, they can call Middleton at 947-8933.

Should there be a complaint of an abandoned vehicle, the police will investigate the situation. If there appears to be an abandoned vehicle on the property, the property owner will receive a letter and a copy of the ordinance from the police department outlining of the law and giving the owner 10 business days to find a new home for the clunker at the owner’s expense. There is also a number to contact Middleton once the vehicle has been moved.

Ignoring the letter can be costly. Violators of the law can be summoned to court, and the vehicle according to the ordinance, can be removed and sold to the highest bidder. The owner might be liable for court costs as well, which can run into the hundreds of dollars. According to the ordinance a first offense can result in a fine of “Not less than 100 dollars ($100.00) nor more than three hundred dollars ($300.00) plus court cost.”

Middleton wants to “get the word out” because “we are trying to do it this way instead of towing 50 vehicles at once.”

“We’re not out to make trouble,” Middleton added, “we just want to let people know it’s (the ordinance) is here.”