Police Chief Robert Thompson explained at length the importance of passing a new parking ordinance, which directly affects public safety and the quality of life here.  

DIXON, CA (MPG) - Long-term parking in a city-owned lot will cost you.

The City of Dixon passed an ordinance on July 2 enforcing overnight parking rules between 2:30 and 6 a.m., specifically for park-and-ride lots.

Why? According to a City Council summary report, the ordinance will "address multiple concerns that have emerged over time" regarding unauthorized public property parking.

Those concerns include an increased number of people living in cars, abandoned vehicles, extended vehicle storage, public safety and overall quality of life. Land use attorney Josh Varinsky explained to officials the few restrictions, including city, emergency and vehicles authorized by Police Chief Robert Thompson.

Attorney Josh Varinsky advised Mayor Steve Bird and the Dixon council members of the new ordinance that no longer allows parking in city-owned lots between certain hours, specifically for people living out of or around abandoned vehicles.

The White Brenner LLP lawyer explained that the new law comes with consequences, including citations and towing. Chief Thompson detailed why the law was implemented in the first place, beginning with extended vehicle storage, which he calls a "nuisance concern."

Current regulations allow vehicles to be parked for up to three days, which, according to the city summary report, "has led to the misuse of public parking facilities for long-term storage, reducing the availability of parking for legitimate short-term use by residents and visitors."

"We are seeing an increase in people using them as campsites, effectively setting up shop," Thompson said of at least three locations citywide.

One instance involved a vehicle behind a restaurant, which the business owners were allowing people to live in.

"Every two days, they would push it into neutral and move it to a new spot," Thompson said, eventually adding tarps and chairs accompanying the abandoned vehicles, causing some residents to feel unsafe.

According to the chief, more pressing than storing vehicles are abandoned cars, including more than one RV left in the city last year, which cost "excess of a thousand dollars a shot" to remove.

The new law allows law enforcement to bypass the 72 hours if it’s deemed necessary, specifically for derelict vehicles that cannot be driven away and must be towed. According to the city summary report, derelict  "vehicles contribute to public blight, obstruct proper maintenance of public areas, and can become havens for illegal activity."

"In this ordinance, you can do a myriad of things: you can issue a warning, you can make referrals to social services, you can tow the car if you have to," Thompson said. "It's about options, which is what I have heard over the years from you; you want us to have tools and options."

The chief confirmed the ordinance only pertains to city parking lots and not big box outlets, including Walmart, which he said at times is "a nomadic campground" on private property.

Lastly, the City Council summary report details how parking violations detriment quality of life.

 "Unauthorized camping in public lots negatively impacts the aesthetic appeal and safety of these areas,” according to the report, and "this reduction will enhance the ability of police officers to monitor suspicious activities and ensure public safety more effectively."

Councilmember Thom Bogue objected to passing the law, which passed and is now in effect.