As was predictable, the RV lunatic fringe was out in force last
week for the first of two public hearings on the proposed banning of
street parking of non-conforming vehicles. ("Residents vocal about
parking ordinance,'' July 26).
Focusing on the downhill streets that lead to Foothill Boulevard
and the freeway, they cite speed violators as the basic safety
problem and suggest that by controlling these baby-schlepping SUV
moms, high school-bound kids and commuting parents, all will be well
on the safety front. I agree speeding is an unwelcome hazard and a
nuisance affecting all our neighborhoods, but I got news for you. You
can put 50 officers on our neighborhood streets every day and you'll
never control these speeders.
What we can do to improve safety with little effort and cost is to
remove the eyesore non-conforming RVs and other vehicles that block
traffic views of pedestrians who risk their well-being every time
they venture forth to school, the bus or just walking and jogging.
RV fanatic Sharon Benoit sees no problem with these vehicles
parked on public rights of way for safety, aesthetic or any other
reason. She is quoted as living on Ramsdell, which for some of its
length has sidewalks and curbs. Those of us who live on streets
without any of these improvements, and which typically have narrower
street paving, do not appreciate the added risk posed by these
on-street vehicles blocking a clear view for both pedestrians and
home occupants who just want to get out of their driveway safely.
Within one block of my home on Glenwood Avenue, a popular downhill
access to Foothill Boulevard, there are two RVs parked in separate
locations on public street rights of way. One RV has been in its
location for nearly two years and is moved only a foot or two every
week to keep the sheriff from towing it, and who claims his hands are
tied under present law. By the way, this RV owner lives in Tujunga,
in the city of Los Angeles, but parks in La Crescenta because he can
get away with it here.
The other inconsiderate RV owner's street parking is more
intermittent, as he moves it for several days of every month for
family recreation purposes, but the bulk of the time it is planted
and stored in front of his house. Both these locations are on streets
without curbs and sidewalks and each of these rights-of-way is only
about 75% improved, thus compounding the hazard. If you can't imagine
the safety impact on both pedestrian and other legally operated
