In neighborhoods where Latino families and small businesses coexist, parking is not a convenience—it is a lifeline. Yet, over the past several years, our city has systematically removed hundreds of parking spaces, replacing them with red zones, yellow zones, and other restrictive markings. Officials have offered countless justifications—safety here, traffic flow there—but when pressed for statistics or data to support these claims, they have none to show. This is not a matter of speculation; it is a matter of lived experience for residents, business owners, and patrons who rely on accessible parking every day.
Despite numerous editorials and community voices raising the alarm, very little has changed. Last month, after one of my editorials hit the press, the president of the Chamber of Commerce, Carlos Solórzano, reached out to Marcos Gutiérrez, the radio director, which led to a long and thorough interview. I emphasized during that discussion that this conversation should not stop at publicity—it must lead to concrete action. Yet, the reality is frustrating: city leaders and politicians rarely act, even when clear solutions are presented.
Why is this the case? Could it be that political leaders are influenced, directly or indirectly, by interests that prefer parking restrictions to remain in place? Are they prioritizing revenue from fines over the needs of citizens and local businesses? Whatever the reason, the result is undeniable: neighborhoods lose essential parking, small businesses lose customers, and residents—especially those who live near commercial areas—lose the convenience and quality of life they once had…