San Diego police should sell parts of seized cars, not crush them

Re “San Diego police have an answer to illegal street racing: crush the cars” (Aug. 2): As a former auto body shop manager and insurance adjuster, I recommend that these seized cars not be crushed but rather sold to auto dismantlers. Selling these cars to dismantlers would not only raise revenue but also reduce expenses for the city, with the caveat of the sale being that the cars must be dismantled and sold for parts rather than being resold in whole or crushed.

Used part assemblies like doors, bumpers, hoods, trunk lids, liftgates, fenders, headlamps, taillamps, wheels, engines and transmissions represent a very valuable resource for the auto body, mechanical and insurance industries. These used parts represent valuable savings for consumers and save the environment as well. At a time when tariffs are adding to the cost of new replacement parts and supply chain issues cause delays to auto part deliveries, it makes better sense to utilize these very valuable resources.

— Herman Peniche, Del Cerro