A commercial truck returns to Central Avenue after being stopped during a Riverside police checkpoint Tuesday morning targeting vehicles violating route restrictions. (Justin Pardee)
The Riverside Police Department announced the operation on its Facebook page Tuesday morning, saying officers from the Traffic Bureau were conducting inspections on Central Avenue until noon.
The checkpoint targeted a section of Central Avenue where commercial vehicles exceeding three axles are prohibited except for deliveries—a restriction codified in Section 10.56.050 of the Riverside Municipal Code.
"As a reminder, under the Riverside Municipal Code, commercial vehicles are prohibited from traveling this section of Central Avenue unless they are making a delivery," RPD stated in the Facebook post.
On October 15, the City Council's Safety, Wellness, and Youth Committee unanimously voted to recommend a proposed ordinance that would increase fines for commercial vehicle violations throughout the city from $100 to $1,000.
During that committee meeting, RPD Lt. Adam LeVesque told council members that the current $100 fine "does not serve as a meaningful deterrent."
"Commercial truck operators view the $100 fine as a 'cost of doing business' rather than a deterrent," LeVesque stated in his presentation, according to city documents. "To achieve actual deterrence, fine amounts should be set at a level that outweighs the benefits associated with violating the RMC."
The proposed ordinance, which now awaits consideration by the full City Council, was prompted by what city staff described as "recurring community complaints about commercial trucks driving through restricted areas of the City of Riverside."
The Raincross Gazette submitted questions to RPD requesting details about vehicles stopped, citations issued and whether the enforcement was coordinated with the proposed fine increase. RPD did not respond to the inquiry by publication time.
Ward 3 Councilmember Steven Robillard, who represents the area where the checkpoint occurred, said in an interview that his office has received consistent complaints from residents.
"We've received a steady stream of complaints from residents along Central Avenue about large commercial trucks using the corridor as a cut-through route," Robillard said. "The main concerns are noise and speeding, especially near schools and residential driveways."
Robillard said the problem extends beyond Central Avenue, with similar issues occasionally arising in his ward along Arlington Avenue and Magnolia Avenue.
The councilmember described Tuesday's enforcement as part of ongoing efforts rather than a new initiative tied to the proposed fine increase.
Riverside police motorcycles and vehicles line Central Avenue on Tuesday morning during a commercial vehicle enforcement checkpoint west of Victoria Avenue. (Justin Pardee)
"RPD's enforcement activity today is part of a continuing effort to reduce commercial vehicle violations along this route, even before the proposed ordinance is considered," he said. "I appreciate their proactive approach in addressing these community concerns."
Robillard said he supports the tenfold fine increase, arguing the current penalty has failed to change driver behavior.
"I support the proposed $1,000 fine increase," Robillard said. "The higher fine creates a real financial incentive to comply with route restrictions, helping to protect residential neighborhoods and preserve our roadways."
Robillard said successful implementation would be measured by reduced violations and improved neighborhood safety.
"If this ordinance passes, success will mean fewer violations, safer streets, and greater confidence among Ward 3 neighborhoods that the City is taking their concerns seriously," he said.
The proposed ordinance has not yet been scheduled for a vote by the full City Council. City spokesman Phil Pitchford told the Gazette that the item is expected to be scheduled for an agenda conference, with a full Council vote usually following within about a month of committee recommendations. If adopted, the new $1,000 fine structure would apply to all violations of Chapter 10.56 of the Riverside Municipal Code, which governs commercial vehicle restrictions on various streets throughout the city.
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