Dave's truck

A little over a month ago, on June 14, San Diego Police RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol) traffic officers arrived in the 4800 block of Mt. St. Helens Drive to investigate a citizen complaint about abandoned vehicles parked there.

Officers first circled the block to look at the plates on a ’70s Dodge Charger, then stopped next to a ’50s Ford truck and exited their car. In a few minutes, the vehicle owner, Dave, arrived from work for his lunch break and asked the officers if there was a problem. Having received prior notices, Dave explained that the vehicles are not abandoned and they are legally registered and regularly driven.

Both officers explained that they only respond to citizen complaints and that they don’t give tickets, just 72-hour warnings. Officer Weaver said, “You can speak with the people who get paid. They can tell you who is making all of the complaints.”

RSVPs have made multiple visits to the area during the past three months. Officer Weaver agreed that some individuals become obsessed with complaining about their neighbors. Dave said he thinks he knows who is making the calls — a neighbor with whom he once had a dispute.

On the morning of July 16, Dave’s truck was towed from the street in front of his home. This happened before Dave arrived but the RSVP unit had not yet departed the scene. Dave again insisted that his cars are not abandoned. They are currently registered, legally parked, and regularly driven.

The officers told him there was a chalk mark on one of the tires; however, no 72-hour warning notice had been attached to the vehicle. To retrieve the truck, Dave had to pay $300.

Attempts to contact someone “who gets paid” at the SDPD Northern Division or RSVP offices to discuss these issues were unsuccessful.