San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
CRUISING IN NATIONAL CITY MIGHT GET A LEGAL GREEN LIGHT
State legislation being written that would repeal bans
2023 could be the year cruising makes a comeback in National City, where it has been banned for three decades.
Assemblymember David Alvarez, whose 80th District includes the city, is drafting legislation that would lead to repeal of the statewide bans.
Sections of the California vehicle code include language that has allowed local authorities since the 1980s to stop drivers from cruising and driving cars that have been modified to be of a certain height.
The bill would eliminate those sections.
Like National City, cities adopted bans on cruising to curb traffic congestion and gang violence, but lowrider communities, which are predominately Mexican American, have said the ordinances are discriminatory.
“Several (in the lowrider community from National City) told me stories of when they were younger that police would take their IDS and use them as a measuring stick. If their car was lower than the height of their driver’s license, then that gave them the excuse to then further question them,” said Alvarez, adding that the vehicle codes were used “to stigmatize and single out a community of people.”
“This is just a very arcane, unnecessary law,” said Alvarez. “We often overregulate, we over-police and so, this (proposed bill) was one that’s just pretty clear.”
When introduced, the measure would have to be considered by several state committees, which could include public safety and transportation, then be taken up for votes in both Legislative houses.
Alvarez’s proposed law comes after the state Legislature unanimously approved a resolution in early 2022 that encouraged cities to repeal their bans. Assembly Concurrent Resolution 176 is mainly symbolic, acknowledging that cruising holds cultural significance for many communities.
Since the resolution was introduced in the Legislature, a few cities lifted their bans, including Sacramento and San Jose.
Alvarez said his bill “goes a step further.”
The United Lowrider Coalition, a National City lowrider group, said state law is necessary because their efforts to persuade the city to lift its 1992 anti-cruising ordinance have been largely unsuccessful.
City leaders have voiced their embrace of the lowrider culture and allowed a test run on Highland Avenue in May. But it was too successful. There were hundreds of participants and spectators and traffic snarled into neighboring cities such as Chula Vista. Officials feared that scenario could repeat itself without a ban. Some elected leaders have said they would prefer to see cruises organized and permitted through the city, much like a parade.
A bid by former Mayor Alejandra Sotelo-solis and former Councilmember Mona Rios to allow cruises as organized, city-sponsored events passed on Dec. 6. Fees for traffic control and security will be waived because it is a sanctioned event.
Earlier this year, National City had proposed imposing a hefty fee on the United Lowrider Coalition, which organized the May test cruise, if they wanted to continue hosting the remaining pilot cruises. Organizers said they couldn’t afford costs, which included nearly $8,000 for police services.
The lowrider group later announced they would not complete the pilot cruises and said their push for a full repeal of the 1992 cruising ban would continue.
Sotelo-solis said an event-driven suspension of the ordinance was the more feasible option over a full repeal because it would allow for better “accountability.”
“Let’s make it a destination to come to something that National City hosts and National City provides to the region and to the state of California. And for people to be held accountable if they do something that is in violation. I think all of those have to be done with our police department in mind.”
Coalition members said the sponsorship is a step in the right direction, but it doesn’t go far enough.
“Although we applaud the city for these efforts, the city falls short in addressing the repeal of the no-cruise ordinance. It is time that this City Council demonstrates true leadership,” said Coalition member Marisa Rosales.
The lowrider group said the newly elected City Council should consider overturning the ban. Councilmembers Marcus Bush and Jose Rodriguez, who have voiced their support for a full repeal, said they’re hopeful the City Council will revisit the discussion in the new year.
tammy.murga@sduniontribune.com