Friday, October 2, 1998
Officers tow seven cars on Veteran
PARKING: Observers say that ‘No Stopping’ zone not adequately
marked
By Lawrence Ferchaw
Daily Bruin Staff
Ray Trinibad looked out his office window at the Taper Center
Thursday morning to see what he said was a regular occurrence: cars
parked on Veteran Avenue being towed.
Los Angeles City Parking Enforcement officers ticketed and then
towed seven cars parked in a no stopping zone on the west side of
Veteran just north of Weyburn Avenue.
"They should put a red line … it’s deceiving," Trinibad
said.
Currently, a sign on a lamppost marks the beginning of the no
parking zone. According to Richard Anderson, a parking enforcement
officer, the zone is necessary because the street narrows. A number
of signs continue to mark the zone as it continues to Wilshire
Boulevard.
"Maybe (the car owners) didn’t see the sign, or they thought
they could gamble and take a chance," Anderson said.
The citation will cost drivers $60, and the towing fee begins at
$118 for the towing and the first hour of storage and then $16.50
for every day afterwards.
When towing cars, tow truck drivers must forcibly open the doors
to release the parking brake or put the car in neutral. Parking
enforcement officers note what is in the car and any previous
damage to the car to protect the owner and the tow truck
driver.
One employee at the Taper Center said she and her colleagues
often warn drivers who are about to park in the no parking
zone.
"I don’t think they’re doing much to let the students know,"
said Jacqueline Orozco.
Because the signs are too high for drivers to see, according to
Orozco, she said she would like to post signs on the fence of the
cemetery or put some red on the sidewalk.
"I’m willing to buy some spray paint," Orozco said.
By Thursday afternoon a few drivers had picked up their cars
from Rheuban Motors, according to the manager, Ron Price.
When drivers return to see their cars gone they often call the
police reporting them stolen, said to Price.
The police then tell the driver that the car was towed and where
it can be picked up.
Employees at stores across the street from the no parking zone
said they sympathize with the drivers.
"Who has that kind of money (to pay for the citation and towing
costs)?" asked Orozco.
JAMIE SCANLON-JACOBS/Daily Bruin
Los Angeles Parking Enforcement cracks down on illegal parking
on Veteran Avenue by towing a total of seven cars on Thursday that
were parked in a "No Stopping" zone. The cost to each of the owners
of the cars is upwards of $118.
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