Resident Fights Illegal Parking Around Precita Park

Ernst Schoen-Rene files numerous complaints about scofflaw parking, but SFMTA says officers can't find the violations.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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Ernst Schoen-Rene, a tech worker and father who lives near Precita Park in San Francisco's Bernal Heights neighborhood, has filed many complaints about illegal parking around the park, but the city's transportation agency says officers respond and can't find the violations. Schoen-Rene says the SFMTA is not doing enough to enforce parking restrictions and is concerned about the safety of children in the area.

Why it matters

Illegal parking around Precita Park, which is next to an elementary school, poses a safety risk to pedestrians and children. The lack of enforcement by the city highlights ongoing challenges with daylighting and parking compliance in San Francisco neighborhoods.

The details

Schoen-Rene has repeatedly reported illegal parking, including a restaurant owner's Porsche blocking a red zone, but the SFMTA closes the requests saying officers responded and couldn't find the violations. Schoen-Rene says he was standing there waiting and no officer came. The SFMTA has installed a bike corral at one intersection to help keep the daylighting area clear, but many other paint-only daylighting zones remain blocked with impunity. The owner of the Porsche says he only parks illegally for a few minutes and has received few tickets, indicating the current enforcement is not enough to deter the behavior.

  • Schoen-Rene has been filing complaints about illegal parking around Precita Park for an extended period.
  • Yesterday, Schoen-Rene reported the restaurant owner's Porsche blocking the red zone, and the request was closed within 3 minutes.

The players

Ernst Schoen-Rene

A tech worker and father who lives near Precita Park and has filed numerous complaints about illegal parking in the area.

Jackie Fielder

The District 9 Supervisor whose office has yet to respond to Schoen-Rene's concerns.

Michael Roccaforte

An SFMTA employee who stated that any car parked in a daylighting zone is subject to enforcement.

Greg Lutes

The owner of the Porsche that is often illegally parked in the red zone outside his restaurant, Precita Social.

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What they’re saying

“I regularly report parking here on the 311 app, and the result is always the same. Within a few minutes, SFMTA closes the request with "officer responded, could not locate". This is a lie. I live here and know that no officer responds.”

— Ernst Schoen-Rene, Resident (Email to Supervisor Jackie Fielder)

“Any car that's parked in the daylit zone is subject to enforcement.”

— Michael Roccaforte, SFMTA Employee (Email to Streetsblog)

“I've gotten eight tickets in the past year, usually for street cleaning in other parts of San Francisco. I've only gotten one ticket in the past year for parking in the red zone outside my restaurant, and I only park there for a few minutes.”

— Greg Lutes, Restaurant Owner (Interview with Streetsblog)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.