New parking restrictions in Chinatown are being enforced

Signs that limit parking in Chinatown are now up. It’s a move that should increase officer safety and cut back on crime in the homeless encampment.

Salinas Police Officer Jared Dominici submitted a letter to the City talking about the increased dangers contributed to many who park and operate out of their vehicles. Whether it’s prostitution or dealing drugs, the list goes on.The city agreed with him and the Salinas Police Department, making parking or stopping at night in Chinatown along East Lake Street and Bridge Street illegal. That was in November, but now the signs are up and it’s being enforced.

There are a dozen or so RV’s parked 24 hours a day seven days a week down in Chinatown along the streets, also lots of cars. It’s considered a step up from tent life, which is how the majority sleep in Chinatown. Streets lined with cars and RV’s have become permanent fixtures in the neighborhood, but from now on, they no longer can park down there from 10:00 p.m.-4:30 a.m. because of the new ordinance.

“I feel it’s stupid. They will either be parking in smart and final or other business parking lots or other residential areas,” said David Ballard.

“They don’t want us to tent out here so I saved every money I got and bought the RV for family. This county is just too much, not helping homeless. Everybody is really stressing out about this,” said a Chinatown Resident who lives on Lake Street in his RV.

With the signs now up, police are enforcing the ordinance.The homeless I spoke to say they can not risk having their RV towed because it’s their home and too expensive to get back.