Her car was towed because she wasn’t able to move it. She went into debt to get it back.

2024-08-05
Her car was towed because she wasn’t able to move it. She went into debt to get it back.
Towing Troubles: How Chula Vista's Parking Crackdown Impacts SeniorsOutline:1. The Plight of Erma Currier: A Senior Caught in the Towing Trap2. The Broader Issue: Towing Practices Disproportionately Affecting Vulnerable Communities3. The Financial Burden: The High Cost of Getting a Towed Car Back4. The Chula Vista Approach: Defending the City's Towing Policies5. Advocating for Change: Proposed Reforms to Protect SeniorsAs Chula Vista ramps up its enforcement of parking laws, advocates worry the crackdown is hurting seniors. But they have ideas for reform.Towing Troubles: How Chula Vista's Parking Crackdown Impacts SeniorsThe Plight of Erma Currier: A Senior Caught in the Towing TrapErma Currier, a 92-year-old resident of Chula Vista, California, had her independence and financial stability upended when the city towed her car earlier this year. Currier, who had purchased the 2011 Buick with money left by her late partner, relied on the vehicle to maintain her mobility and access essential services. However, the city seized the car, citing a violation of the three-day parking limit, leaving Currier and her son, Darrel Ward, to navigate the costly and frustrating process of retrieving it.The loss of Currier's car, which Ward described as "an extension of her independence," has had a significant impact on her daily life. The 6 price tag to get the car back, paid using Currier's credit card, has left the family struggling to pay off the debt. This financial burden has pushed them to the brink of bankruptcy, highlighting the disproportionate impact that Chula Vista's towing practices can have on seniors living on fixed incomes.The Broader Issue: Towing Practices Disproportionately Affecting Vulnerable CommunitiesChula Vista's aggressive towing enforcement is part of a broader trend in California cities, where towing practices have been criticized for disproportionately impacting low-income residents, racial minorities, and the unhoused. A 2019 report, "Towed Into Debt: How Towing Practices in California Punish Poor People," found that more than a quarter of vehicle seizures in major cities were considered "poverty tows," including cars being taken for expired registration or being parked in one place for more than 72 hours.The 72-hour parking rule, which requires vehicles to be moved every three days, has become a particular focus for senior advocates like John Acosta. Asking older adults with disabilities to regularly relocate their cars can be an unreasonable burden, especially for those living alone or with limited mobility.The Financial Burden: The High Cost of Getting a Towed Car BackThe financial impact of towing can be devastating for those living on fixed incomes. In San Diego, the average cost to retrieve a towed car is 2 after just one day, with an additional charged for each subsequent day. In Chula Vista, the minimum cost is even higher at 0 after the first day. These steep fees can quickly become insurmountable, leading to the loss of vehicles and the potential disruption of work and personal lives.The Chula Vista Approach: Defending the City's Towing PoliciesChula Vista police officials have defended the city's towing practices, stating that they are responding to complaints about abandoned vehicles and that the process is designed to give residents fair warning before seizing cars. However, they acknowledged that the city's approach does not differentiate between vehicles with disabled placards and those without, subjecting all cars to the same 72-hour rule.Advocates have argued that this one-size-fits-all approach fails to account for the unique challenges faced by seniors and those with disabilities. They have called for more nuanced policies that consider the needs of these vulnerable populations, such as providing additional time for owners to move their cars or conducting wellness checks before towing.Advocating for Change: Proposed Reforms to Protect SeniorsEfforts to rein in cities' power to seize vehicles have gained momentum in recent years, with some success. In 2019, a bill was proposed in the California legislature to make 72-hour violation tows illegal statewide, but it ultimately did not pass. A new version of the bill, AB 1082, is currently making its way through the legislature, though it does not specifically address the 72-hour rule.At the local level, cities like San Francisco have implemented "text-before-tow" programs, allowing residents to enroll their contact information and receive alerts before their cars are towed. Advocates have also suggested that Chula Vista and other cities consider providing extra time or conducting wellness checks for vehicles with disabled placards before towing.As the population of older adults continues to grow in San Diego County and across California, the need for more compassionate and inclusive towing policies has become increasingly urgent. By addressing the unique challenges faced by seniors and those with disabilities, cities can work to ensure that their enforcement efforts do not inadvertently undermine the independence and financial stability of their most vulnerable residents.

Article "tagged" as:

Related Article

Transforming New Jersey's Rail Network: A Journey of Innovation and Reliability

Transforming New Jersey's Rail Network: A Journey of Innovation and Reliability

NJ Transit is investing 0 million to upgrade its rail fleet with 174 new double-decker railcars t
Permanent Blush: The Unexpected Beauty Trend Sparking Debate

Permanent Blush: The Unexpected Beauty Trend Sparking Debate

The article discusses the growing trend of cosmetic tattoos, specifically the blush semi-permanent t
Marrakech Muse: Imaan Hammam's Captivating Journey at the Fashion Trust Arabia Awards

Marrakech Muse: Imaan Hammam's Captivating Journey at the Fashion Trust Arabia Awards

Imaan Hammam, a model with Moroccan roots, was excited to attend the Fashion Trust Arabia (FTA) Awar
Elevating the Game: NHL's Stylish Collaboration with Lululemon and Fanatics

Elevating the Game: NHL's Stylish Collaboration with Lululemon and Fanatics

The National Hockey League has announced a new partnership with Lululemon and Fanatics to launch a p
Unwrap the Beauty Bliss: M&S Unveils Unparalleled Advent Calendar for 2024

Unwrap the Beauty Bliss: M&S Unveils Unparalleled Advent Calendar for 2024

Marks and Spencer has unveiled its 2024 beauty advent calendar, packed with a variety of beauty prod
Preserving Video Game History: A Challenging Legal Landscape

Preserving Video Game History: A Challenging Legal Landscape

The US Copyright Office has rejected an exemption proposed by the Video Game History Foundation (VGH
Bipartisan Gaming: Lawmakers Tackle Politics and Football

Bipartisan Gaming: Lawmakers Tackle Politics and Football

The article describes a gaming session between Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Representative Alexan
Aroostook County Tackles Opioid Crisis with Innovative Grant Program

Aroostook County Tackles Opioid Crisis with Innovative Grant Program

Aroostook County in Maine is set to receive .69 million in opioid settlement funds over the next 1
Sheboygan's Thriving Theater Scene: Auditions, Musicals, and Independent Productions

Sheboygan's Thriving Theater Scene: Auditions, Musicals, and Independent Productions

The article discusses upcoming theater events in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Theater for Young Audiences w
Dodgers on Brink of Second World Series Title in Five Years

Dodgers on Brink of Second World Series Title in Five Years

The Los Angeles Dodgers are one win away from clinching their second World Series title in five year
The Voice's Coaches Forge Unbreakable Bonds, Elevating Season 26 to New Heights

The Voice's Coaches Forge Unbreakable Bonds, Elevating Season 26 to New Heights

The current season of The Voice has been marked by a strong camaraderie among the four superstar coa
Rethinking the Role of UNRWA: A Necessary Shift Towards Accountability and Transparency

Rethinking the Role of UNRWA: A Necessary Shift Towards Accountability and Transparency

The article discusses the end of UNRWA's operations in Israel and the West Bank, arguing that the ag
Navigating the Spooky Spectrum: A Family's Guide to Age-Appropriate Horror Movie Marathons

Navigating the Spooky Spectrum: A Family's Guide to Age-Appropriate Horror Movie Marathons

The article discusses the challenges of finding age-appropriate horror movies for young viewers, par
The Culinary Supremacy of the City of Angels: Why Los Angeles Reigns Supreme Over New York in the Gastronomic Realm

The Culinary Supremacy of the City of Angels: Why Los Angeles Reigns Supreme Over New York in the Gastronomic Realm

The article argues that Los Angeles is a superior food city compared to New York. It highlights the
Intoxicated Driver Arrested with Teenager in Vehicle: A Cautionary Tale

Intoxicated Driver Arrested with Teenager in Vehicle: A Cautionary Tale

A 32-year-old Lincoln woman was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence with a teenager
Blonzing: The Latest Beauty Trend Taking Over TikTok—But What Is It?

Blonzing: The Latest Beauty Trend Taking Over TikTok—But What Is It?

The article discusses the latest beauty trend called "Blonzing" that is sweeping TikTok. It involves
Video: Lupita Nyong’o shares her Life Lessons

Video: Lupita Nyong’o shares her Life Lessons

Lupita Nyong'o, the Oscar-winning actress, admits that creativity doesn't come easily to her despite
Preserving Gaming History: The Uphill Battle for Legal Access

Preserving Gaming History: The Uphill Battle for Legal Access

The article discusses the legal challenges faced by video game preservationists in accessing and pre
Balatro's Eclectic Expansion: A Delightful Fusion of Indie and AAA Favorites

Balatro's Eclectic Expansion: A Delightful Fusion of Indie and AAA Favorites

The article discusses the latest free update for the game "Balatro," which features a collaboration
Resilient Nonprofit Refuses to Let Thieves Dampen Their Holiday Spirit

Resilient Nonprofit Refuses to Let Thieves Dampen Their Holiday Spirit

The nonprofit organization B.I.G Love Cancer Care has faced a series of thefts from their storage un