San Diego Police to Step Up Enforcement of Parking Regulations at Beaches, Especially Robb Field and Mission Bay

RV Residents to Be Directed to “H” Barracks Lot

After residents and visitors in Mission Bay grew frustrated over what they perceived as a lack of enforcement of overnight parking rules, the San Diego Police Department announced this week that it will take action to crack down on parking violations. SDPD said they receive the most reports about people living out of vehicles or campers in beach areas, especially Robb Field and Mission Bay Park.

In late May, the City opened the H Barracks lot, which combined with the other four City-funded Safe Parking lots, nearly doubled the program’s capacity to just under 400 spaces, including room for oversized vehicles (RVs). With space available at H Barracks, police can enforce the Oversized Vehicle Ordinance in compliance with recent legal settlements.

The ordinance restricts overnight parking of large vehicles, including RVs, between the hours of 2 to 6 a.m. Supportive services, including referrals to the City’s Safe Parking Program, are offered at each SDPD contact.

Everyone has equal public access to beach and bay parking, but violations of laws against overnight parking will be addressed. The goal is to get individuals living in their vehicles into programs, like Safe Parking, where people can work to end their homelessness.

The abundance of RVs in the lots has become a headache for people trying to park.

“Well, parking is real tough. And Mission Bay has been known for running events. And kids come here, particularly for [the] Fourth of July coming up. There’s not room. And with the campers parked on both sides of Marina Drive east, it’s not safe for people to be on that street,” Earl Jackson, a San Diego resident who walks at Mission Bay Park every day, said.

While the beach areas are regularly patrolled by SDPD’s Northern, Western and Neighborhood policing divisions, the department is aiming to dedicate more resources to tackle the issue of parking violations in the beach communities, especially ahead of the holiday weekend.

“Our goal is that everyone in the City has access, in terms of equitable and safe access to the beach in the summer season,” Captain. Steve Shebloski, with the SDPD Neighborhood Policing Division, said.

Meanwhile, SDPD added that reports of violations should be made through the city’s “Get It Done” app.

This emphasis comes after a month of outreach about the pending enforcement and, most importantly, the availability of spaces in the Safe Parking Program.

Reports of violations should be made through the city’s Get It Done app and will be directed to SDPD so officers can respond.

The Safe Parking Program provides people a secure place to stay while accessing services and pursuing permanent housing. In addition to a safe and legal place to stay, Safe Parking sites include restrooms, housing navigation, mental health services, and job training, and participants work with case managers to create individual housing goals.

The program serves a high percentage of individuals who are experiencing homelessness for the first time, many of whom have income through benefits or employment and need only modest assistance to get back on their feet.

News sources: CBS8  and Times of San Diego