City of Salinas cracks down on oversized vehicles

Oversized vehicles are no longer allowed to park on city streets. After the passing of an ordinance by the Salinas City Council two months ago, oversized vehicles, parked on the streets, are now subject to towing.

The ban affects boats, trailers, semi-trucks, and RVs, many of which are parked along Alisal and Griffin. Each of the RVs are at risk of being towed.

Salinas resident, Jose Arce, came to the site to help a friend pack up his belongings before his home is towed away.

“If they had the means not to be here they wouldn’t be here. So they’re just trying to push the problem to, ya know, someone else. Instead of trying to deal with the problem. They’re just trying to sweep it under the rug. I don’t know. This city’s gone crazy,” said Arce.

City Councilman, Steve McShane, was the first to propose the rule a year ago. He says the vehicles are a health concern, therefore making them a threat to the city.

“The ones that are inoperable, the ones that are leaking fluids into our sewer and storm drains, those are the ones we’re most concerned about, and will likely be towed,” said McShane.

McShane says that the city will start towing vehicles as soon as Thursdsay, and that owners have already been warned.

“These folks have been noticed in the last thirty days. And, at the end of the day we’re doing everything we can to notify, to assist, to aid. We’re compassionate, but at the end of the day this presents a health hazard and a nuisance,” said McShane.

Others, like Salinas homeless advocate, Wes White, have a different perspective. He says he is concerned with what this means for the community.

“This is affordable housing already. But, we’ve made an ordinance that said you can’t do something that’s legal in the rest of the state of California, because we don’t want you here. They’re just supposed to fall off the face of the earth and that’s not a fair position to have. These are people,” said White.

Arce says he is worried that there is nowhere for these people to go.

“They can’t go to Marina. They can’t go to Seaside. And, the RV parks are already all full…the Monterey RV park, and they got the one across the way from the Hollister exit, and the KOA. And, the storage places, they’re not gonna take ’em,” said Arce.

The City of Salinas says they encourage residents to reach out if they have any questions or concerns regarding the changes.