Cops’ Lot

The Ocean Beach pier parking lot has traditionally been a coveted location for RV owners to park on the 4th of July. The lot is steps to the beach, amenities for children are close by, and the view for the evening fireworks is optimal.

Overnight parking is prohibited in the lot, so the first RVs began arriving shortly after 6 a.m. on Saturday. No other signs prohibiting parking were in evidence. By 8 a.m., the parking lot was full, grills were fired, and then the police arrived.

Representatives of the San Diego Police Department, including the mounted unit, arrived shortly after 8 a.m. and evicted approximately 26 RV owners from the lot in order to facilitate parking for their own vehicles.

Despite a number of verbal exchanges, representatives of the police threatened RV drivers with arrest and towing of their vehicles if they refused to move. With adjacent parking already filled, RV'ers were forced to relocate to other locations, most of them away from the pier.

Several RV owners reported that they would be lodging complaints against the Police Department.