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.