PENNSPORT (KYW Newsradio) — While attending a number of community meetings, Philadelphia Police have been getting a lot of complaints about illegal street mechanics operating on unsafe cars parked in lots and on streets throughout the city.
On Wednesday, police officers met with tow truck drivers from the Philadelphia Parking Authority in Pennsport to do a sweep of a popular work spot for illegal mechanics in the parking lot under I-95 at Front and Tasker streets.
When Captain Louis Higginson and fellow officers from the nearby 3rd District got there, no mechanics were operating, but a number of cars were propped up on jacks and blocks.
“We were out here specifically looking for mechanics doing illegal work under here because that is one of the bigger complaints we get,” said Higginson. “We had some but they were able to pack up and get out of here before we could address the issue.”
The cars they were working on got towed. Police said they are beefing up enforcement across the city, and any car that is unregistered or poses a safety threat will get the same treatment.
Higginson said the mechanics need to be licensed and do the work in a shop, not in a lot under the freeway.
“Under here it’s a hazard and considering it’s private property, they don’t want them doing it here because if there was an accident that happened or something along those lines, it’s something they could be held liable for,“ he said.