HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-08-22 - AGENDA REPORTS - DISABLED PARKING ENFORCEMENT (2)AGENDA REPORT
City anager Approval
Item to be presented by:
Steve Stark
NEW BUSINESS
DATE: August 22, 1995
SUBJECT: Disabled Parking Enforcement by Sheriffs Department Volunteers
DEPARTMENT: Administrative Services
BACKGROUND
Effective October, 1993, parking citations were decriminalized and the City of Santa Clarita
assumed responsibility for processing of the citations. As a result of the decriminalization,
court appearances on parking citations has been eliminated.
The California Vehicle Code (22507.9 CVC) specifically authorizes local authorities to
establish special enforcement units with the sole purpose of providing adequate enforcement
of parking spaces designated for disabled persons. The Sheriffs Department currently
utilizes volunteers to conduct vacation checks. These volunteers are trained in safety and
use of the radio, have distinctly marked "Volunteer" uniforms, and utilize County vehicles.
With additional training in how to recognize a disabled parking violation, a properly marked
disabled parking space, and the correct way to issue a parking citation, these volunteers
could perform the secondary function of disabled parking enforcement while out on vacation
checks. This use of volunteers would simply supplement the current enforcement performed
by officers, and so would not impact the duties of the officers.
The City of Oxnard has had a similar program in place since September, 1993 with positive
results. If approved, Santa Clarita will be the first to implement such a program in Los
Angeles County. The Lost Hills station recently received approval from Sheriff Block to
implement a volunteer program, however, their program has not yet been implemented.
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the use of L.A. County Sheriffs Department volunteers for the enforcement of
parking spaces designated for disabled persons.