Description
This illegal parking job has been reported multiple times and each time the parking enforcement request is closed without any action being taken (the photo is from today). The Mazda CX-5 continues to illegally block the sidewalk daily. Please recommend what we can legally do as citizens if the City of Oakland Parking Enforcement department is going to continue to ignore the issue.
also asked...
Q. Your request will go to the City of Oakland Parking Enforcement Division (510-238-3099).
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Q. Please note, this app/website is for reporting parking enforcement related matters and is not intended for contesting a citation.
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Q. To contest a citation please visit http://www2.oaklandnet.com/Parking/index.htm#Contest
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Q. Blocked Driveways: Property owners MUST first call (510) 238-3099 to arrange citation of the vehicle with a Parking Control Technician. ***Parking Enforcement cannot enforce anonymous complaints.***
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Q. After-hours Contact Info: OPD Non-emergency at (510) 777-3333 processes complaints outside of regular business hours.
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Q. Parking Enforcement reviews requests during business hours (Mon - Fri, 9:00 - 4:30). To report an urgent parking enforcement issue at other times, call Police Non-Emergency at 510-777-3333.
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Q. ***PLEASE CHECK*** the LOCATION of your request, so we send the crew to the correct place. For mobile users, sometimes the GPS location is incorrect. *ALSO* To avoid delays, provide a detailed description of the issue. *PHOTOS* are helpful. Thank you for your request.
Message or Note
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21 Comments
Acknowledged City of Oakland (Verified Official)
SmartyMcSmartface (Registered User)
An anonymous SeeClickFix user (Registered User)
SmartyMcSmartface (Registered User)
An anonymous SeeClickFix user (Registered User)
Matt (Registered User)
Here’s what I wrote to the owners when they asked on NextDoor for input on the situation—someone had left dog poop on their car, apparently as commentary on their parking:
I don’t agree with the way the party expressed their disapproval with how you park but I do share their frustration. I’ve been walking around your car for years—out into the street, sometimes with my dog, sometimes with friends. With cars descending the steep hill and nearby intersection, being forced to walk in the street is not always safe. Besides, blocking the sidewalk is illegal. If it were temporary (to load/unload the car) that’s one thing. But to do it consistently seems to show little regard for your neighbors.
I sympathize with your situation: your driveway is so short that parking in the driveway leaves the car blocking the sidewalk. However, you have a garage and there’s generally plenty of on-street parking within a very short distance. Some of us don’t have driveways or garages (I live on Eucalyptus Path) and so we park (legally) on the street, sometime at significant distances from our houses. It’s not convenient, but that’s the reality of our situation, and we accept it. Please accept yours and find a way to park legally.
caringsoul (Registered User)
Thanks for adding your input on NextDoor. It's unfortunate the driveway doesn't fit a car and they are unable to use the garage but there is always space in front of the driveway and at the curb near that house.
I had nothing to do with the dog poop but it shows that others are also upset with the sidewalk being blocked. The dog poop is gross but probably doesn't do anything more than inconvenience the owner of the car for a moment. The car inconveniences and potentially endangers every pedestrian that passes by.
Max B (Registered User)
Hi all - its me, Max B the owner/resident of the house at 789 Alvarado and both cars you guys love to photograph. As I said to Matthew in the nextdoor thread: come talk to us! We won’t bite. Instead of the pictures and calling the city, the poop and the general indirect passive aggressive behavior, we should discuss this like civilized neighbors.
Maybe you were the gentleman in the orange hooded sweatshirt I saw standing in the middle of Alvarado at about 11:15 yesterday, maybe not.
Oh and FYI: the more tickets we get, the more likely I am to park in my driveway.
I consider calling the city on a neighbor a very anti-social and hostile act.
Thanks,
Max
Max B (Registered User)
Also just to clear up a few misconceptions from the thread.
1) We did get a couple of tickets back around October (when the feces was left). An Oakland Parking Enforcement officer actually came to our house last week. A very sweet African American woman came and told us someone called and gave us the opportunity to move our car, which we did. We had a lovely discussion and she said after meeting me, she would always give us the opportunity to move the car in the future. She told us she was sorry we had to deal with this and described the neighbors as essentially Karen’s. It was a very good experience.
2) I actually stopped parking in the driveway for a few days after reading the comments on Next-door and wanting to be a good neighbor. However after seeing the continued comments and pictures taken of my house, I had second thoughts.
I truly think the only was to resolve is directly communication.
At least if you are going to take pictures give me a heads up, I have some really fun clothes I got for the holidays I could pose in!
SmartyMcSmartface (Registered User)
Max, you blame others for being Karen's, but you're the one imposing inconvenience onto several neighbors (more than one concur on this comments thread, saying they had to step into the street to avoid your cars).
Now you proudly proclaim you will continue to do so.
Your invitation to "come talk to you" seems more a threat than an invitation. What is there to talk about? You want to intimidate them one on one? It's clear that you're wrong but continue to insist you're correct, so who is the Karen?
I also find it frustrating that an enforcement officer is siding with the infractor and not addressing the problem. It's clearly something to take up with the city, no wonder things are the way they are.
I do no plan to meet you in person, I do not feel safe. What "direct communication" would change your mind? You obviously have time to look at your street and observe an "organe hooded man in the middle of Alvarado at about 11:15", may e you could observe people walking around your cars? Is there anything more direct than that? Maybe an overturned Wheelchair?
Max B (Registered User)
Mr. McSmartface- sorry you didn’t like my comments. No threats. Come chat or don’t, it really isn’t that big of a deal. I was lucky to have a break break from work, so I went on a run, which is where I saw the guy with the sweatshirt.
I think you should look up what a Karen is. Not me, trust me.
If you don’t see that the City of Oakland which is mired in the middle of an ongoing global pandemic, an increase in violence and economic turmoil has more important things to deal wIth than some wealthy homeowners in the hills quibbling about minor parking infractions, then yes, you are unreasonable and not based in reality.
The wheelchair comment is also not based in reality (altho very dramatic). Ask my octogenarian neighbor next door if she has ever had an issue—which she hasn’t.
I am trying to raise my children to be honest, respectful members of society. It is truly dismaying that I live in a neighborhood full of narcissistic sniches which an absolute lack of perspective for the world around them.
Have a good day,
Max
SmartyMcSmartface (Registered User)
Max, I did look up a Karen https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karen_(slang) It says "white woman perceived as entitled or demanding beyond the scope of what is normal". Only thing that doesn't seem to fit is the gender.
I can't comprehend how you square "trying to raise my children to be honest, respectful members of society. It is truly dismaying that I live in a neighborhood full of narcissistic sniches which an absolute lack of perspective for the world around them." with your admittedly illegal parking, and which you've pointed out will continue to do so.
Your illegal parking is "ok" but all others pointing it out are "narcissistic snitches".
Max B (Registered User)
caringsoul (Registered User)
SmartyMcSmartface (Registered User)
Oakland now claims they will try to clamp down on this: https://oaklandside.org/2022/08/23/oakland-sidewalk-parking-cars-disabled-pedestrian-access/
From the article: "OakDOT’s new mobility supervisor Kerby Olsen said the city plans to start better enforcing California’s Vehicle Code as it relates to parking.
“Parking on the sidewalk is illegal, even if the vehicle is not fully obstructing the sidewalk,” said Olsen ..."
Max B (Registered User)
An anonymous SeeClickFix user (Registered User)
Max B (Registered User)
An anonymous SeeClickFix user (Registered User)
Dear Max B,
As the holiday season approaches, we wanted to take a moment to wish you a happy and healthy holiday season. We hope that you will be able to spend the holidays surrounded by loved ones and that you have a wonderful time.
We also wanted to take a moment to remind you about the importance of respecting the sidewalks in our neighborhood. While we understand that parking can be difficult at times, it is important to remember that sidewalks are for pedestrians and blocking them with your car can be inconvenient and even dangerous for those who are trying to walk.
We hope that you will be mindful of this in the future and that we can all work together to create a safe and welcoming community.
Warm wishes,
Your neighbors
Max B (Registered User)
Hi Neighbors- thanks for the kind note. Happy Holidays to you all as well. We will definitely try and park
outside of our driveway when possible. Appreciate the civility.
Happy New Year to all.
-Max
An anonymous SeeClickFix user (Registered User)
Max B,
It's been really great that you've been able to park without blocking the sidewalk for the past couple of weeks. We truly appreciate it.
Thank you,
Your neighbors.