Street sweepers, noisy motorcycles focus of last-minute bill votes

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Illegal parkers, beware. The street sweeper sees all.

The Senate approved a measure backed by the city of Los Angeles that would make it easier to issue parking tickets to cars left on streets during posted days of street sweeping. AB 2567 by Assemblyman Steve Bradford (D-Gardena) would allow cities to mount cameras on the front of street sweepers to automatically photograph cars in violation of posted parking restrictions.

‘Having photo enforcement technology on the street sweepers allows for efficiently citing cars that are illegally parked and improve street sweeping,’’ said Sen. Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego).

Sen. Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga) opposed the measure, saying it is premature before an ongoing study of the practice is completed in San Francisco. The measure goes back to the Assembly for agreement on amendments.

The senate also went after noisy motorcycles were targeted in legislation Monday.

With just two days left in the legislative session, the Senate approved and sent the governor SB 435, which allows the police to cite motorcycle owners if they remove federally required emissions-control equipment such as the catalytic converter.

“The noise caused by illegally modified motorcycle exhaust systems is a major quality of life issue across the state,� said Sen. Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills). “Basic common sense and decency dictates that when a motorcycle drives by and sets off every car alarm on the street, that is too loud.’’

--Patrick McGreevy in Sacramento