La Jolla Parking

I was stunned to read the critical comments made by the few members of our La Jolla community about parking enforcement in the March 24 article (“Giving No Quarter”).

As a past member of the Parking and Business Improvement District and a retailer with a staff of 35 employees, I couldn’t disagree more with the comments by those interviewed for The Times’ article.

Good parking enforcement is the lifeblood of the La Jolla commercial district. Without it, our parking spaces would be filled with those who lack a sense of community as well as an understanding of commerce. Each parking space in the core business section is estimated to be worth in excess of $50,000 a year in retail sales and services. Thus the cost of one lost space by those who abuse the system is enormous to the commercial community as a whole.

Countless surveys of business owners have shown that parking space turnover is essential to their economic health. The message is clear, we need and appreciate every bit of parking enforcement available and strongly support the city of San Diego’s effort on our behalf.

ROBERT W. WARWICK, La Jolla