The Metropolitan Transport Authority is removing abandoned and junked vehicles from city streets. AMET has secured lifts and a Pettibone machine to get the job done. As reported in El Caribe, plans are to remove the 722 abandoned vehicles the AMET has identified in the Province of Santo Domingo and the National District. The efforts began in the municipality of Santo Domingo East by towing away 32 vehicles on Monday. Major Marcial Moreta Correa said that the abandoned vehicles? chassis may be used by criminals as hiding spots. He explained that AMET has assumed the duty of picking up of the car bodies, a responsibility usually belonging to the city governments, because the local authorities do not have the appropriate equipment. He said that the next target area is the National District (the city of Santo Domingo). El Caribe newspaper saluted the effort, saying that the abandoned vehicles endanger traffic, as well as worsening the appearance of the streets.