THE PROBLEM: Some problems are more challenging than others. This one was easy.
A trailer with solar-powered lights that direct cars around construction zones had been parked on Gold Coast Drive west of Black Mountain Road in Mira Mesa since early June.
THE SITE: Gold Coast Drive near Black Mountain Road in Mira Mesa
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After it was clear that no one was coming for it, Robert Simmons said he called the San Diego Police Department's Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Unit but was told nothing could be done because the trailer didn't have a license plate.
STATUS: We called the Police Department and were told the Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Unit, in fact, will tag and remove a trailer parked in the same location on a street for more than 72 hours; a license plate isn't required.
Realizing that going this route would take several days, we decided to track down the owner ourselves.
The trailer had “Safe-T-Lite” and “S-18” painted on it. We called Hudson Safe-T-Lite, which rents out traffic control devices. Jaime Borruel, who works at the company's El Cajon location, confirmed that the trailer belonged to the company and had been rented.
Within hours, the company retrieved the trailer. We can understand why. Similar trailers retail for about $4,000.
WHO'S RESPONSIBLE: San Diego's Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Unit can be reached at (858) 495-7856. Our advice: Be persistent. Abandoned vehicles are annoying, but they do not rank high on the Police Department's list of priorities.
STILL WAITING: The closed Park and Ride lot in El Cajon that we wrote about in early June was supposed to reopen soon after July 4, but it's still closed.
The lot on East Washington Avenue near Jamacha Road closed eight months ago for resurfacing and other improvements. The work was supposed to be done by a developer of a housing tract next door. But the developer hit hard times.
The city of El Cajon informed the development company that it would not allow new homes to be inhabited until the parking lot was finished. Work resumed in mid-June.
Chris Schmidt, a Caltrans senior planner, said some fencing, hardscape and landscape work had not been done. Until everything is in order, the lot remains closed.
WHO'S RESPONSIBLE: Chris Schmidt, who can be reached at (619) 688-6670 or chris.schmidt@dot.ca.gov.
NEED A PROBLEM SOLVED: Is there a problem government hasn't fixed despite your complaints? Whether it's a missing bus bench or an unkempt park anywhere in San Diego County, Just Fix It might be able to help.
Complaint forms are at justfixit.uniontrib.com, or call (800) 820-8714.
