Traffic police AMET and the municipality of Santo Domingo have declared war on “chatarras,” the many abandoned vehicles that populate the city’s roadsides and clutter the sidewalks. Many of these decaying wrecks will be removed by the authorities in the coming weeks. Warning notices will be served, allowing owners five days to dispose of the vehicles themselves, or be subject to a fine of up to RD$5,000, according to Jose Miguel Martinez of the Santo Domingo municipality. Cristo Rey and Honduras districts are singled out for being particular problem areas. AMET claims to have removed 196 vehicles in five days in the eastern area of the city, citing the Los Tres Brazos district as the worst offender.