SAN DIEGO — Cars line the streets of San Ysidro neighborhoods, sometimes left for days at a time. Oftentimes, the owners of these cars don't even live in the neighborhood.
People who live in Tijuana and work in the United States sometimes take their cars into San Ysidro and leave them to use the next day. It saves them time because walking across the border is typically faster than driving.
Residents who spoke to CBS 8 said because of this, it can be difficulty to find parking and has even led to some shopping centers to close their parking lots at night.
According to San Diego Police, cars can be left for 72 hours before they can be towed. Residents can use the Get it Done app to report the cars. You will need to take a picture of the car with the license plate and report it.
Councilmember Vivian Moreno has experienced this issue before and says it led to a parking study being conducted in the area last year.
"We heard it loud and clear that this was an issue in San Ysidro, we asked for a study to be conducted. The study showed that yes factually, it shows that they're parking and leaving somewhere," said Moreno.
The results of the study were approved in January, and Moreno tells CBS 8 the next step would be to begin permitting the effected areas.
"People pay a yearly amount, usually a lower amount, and if you don't have a permit and you're not allowed to park in that area your car will get ticketed," said Moreno.
While that process hasn't started, Moreno says it will help alleviate some of the issues residents are facing.
"There's a lot of folks out of the community that park in the area so those parking permits will give privilege to the community," said Moreno.
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