How “No Parking” signs are affecting families in East Salinas

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) -- In two months, the city's grace period will come to an end, and parking enforcement will begin along city streets where new street sweeping schedules will take effect. On May 5th, the city announced a reminder stating that streets like Acosta Plaza, Montana Street, and Alma Avenue would see a new street sweeping program with "no parking” signs being put up.

“They didn't even really sweep anything up,” says Faban, who lives along one of the new sweeping schedules. 

“I think it's perfect because this way they don't leave cars abandoned,” Mario Ramos says this program will help keep streets clean and incentivize people to move their cars. He adds that some are left along his street for months unattended. Apart from the street signs, you can also visit the Clean Water Salinas website to look up your sweeping schedule based on your address. 

While most people are in favor of the street sweeping program, others fear this might make parking a bigger issue. A problem people here already face. Some say these restrictions might make it more difficult.   

“The parking spaces here are not enough,” says Jose Diaz, who struggles to find parking, having only one designated spot in his apartment complex. He adds that many people live with three or four families, making parking hard to come by. For others, the concern is the street sweeping itself. Along some streets, debris is still visible. 

“They passed by with it, but it just looks like trash still, just dirt, rocks, mud on the street, you know? They're just wasting money, if you ask me,” says Fabian. He had to clean up his end of the street after he said he was not happy with the job by the sweeper. 

“If they are going to start giving us tickets, we will want a clean street,” said Leopoldo Aranda, with similar concerns. He adds that people will hold the city to a higher standard if tickets or other fees come into play. The grace period comes to an end on July 31st. A vehicle might face penalties if parked during a scheduled sweep along these streets