Big-Rig Parking Banned on Some Streets

The Riverside County Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance Tuesday prohibiting the parking of big-rig trucks and other commercial vehicles weighing more than 10,000 pounds on the streets of unincorporated areas.

“It is unfortunate that the majority of truckers are not taking care of business,” Supervisor John Tavaglione said before the unanimous vote. “This has been a long time coming.”

Some residents had complained about noise and about trucks blocking driveways and mailboxes and impeding the visibility of drivers. Truckers said that leaving their rigs and cargo unattended in a field somewhere would invite theft and vandalism.

Carole Schiessel, a resident of Pedley for 22 years, said she was pleased that something was finally being done about the trucks she sees as a nuisance in her neighborhood.

“I did not move out here to live in a truck stop,” said Schiessel, who repeatedly called on code enforcement to complain about trucks parked in her neighborhood. “I say no parking of big rigs out there. Not even temporarily.”

When the ordinance takes effect in 30 days, those who park trucks on residential streets will face fines. The supervisors discussed offering truck drivers help in finding lots.

Leon Hastings, who moved from Los Angeles County to Orange County to Riverside County in search of a trucker-friendly neighborhood, frets about having to move once again.

“I’ve been running from the ‘Don’t park your truck here’ people,” said Hastings, a Mira Loma resident who has driven a truck for 30 years.

“If they boot my truck out of here, I can’t run the risk of having my load stolen,” he said, adding that his loads of lumber and construction equipment are valued at $20,000.