By Javier Robles
There are times when I really have to keep myself in check; otherwise I think I would explode from the inside out. Many of those times are usually around circumstances that involve people parking illegally in “Handicapped Parking” spaces. The most frustrating time of the year is during the holidays, at malls and large box stores. I believe it is when inconsiderate losers are released into the unsuspecting public with disabilities to frustrate and impede their shopping experience.
These monsters seem unreal in their bold acquisition of a handicapped parking space; they buy fake tags, take them from family or just park without any identification. It’s easy. Then they sloth out their car like snakes in the grass and try to give the impression that they belong there. They are young, old, women, men, politicians and doctors and they should be ashamed, but they are not. To them it is a petty crime, a slight oversight of the law. After all, they think, “there are so many parking spots”. In the mind of a Handicapped Parking violator, people with disabilities can deal with it. Besides what are “they” going to do about it?
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While laws on handicapped parking vary state to state there are some common threads, in all states a violator can get a ticket, some states will tow a car, and all have some form of identification (usually for the person with a disability). In addition, temporary handicapped parking permits can usually be requisitioned via the local police department, and are time limited. With that said many legal users of these parking spots realize that laws do no enforce themselves. Therefore, it is up to the righteous citizen and person with a disability to patrol the proper use of these parking spots. Here are five things you can do to thwart a handicapped-parking violator.
1. Make sure that the “violator” does not have a handicapped parking license plate or window tag. If they have a temporary tag check the date it expires. Once you establish that there are no tags or temporary I.D. then call the police, store or mall manager or person in charged of parking. Give them the make, model, color and license plate number of the vehicle, and where it is parked. Tell them that you will check back in a few minutes to see what was resolved.
2. If the “violator” in the parking spot appears healthy and has what appears to be a proper tag or license plate, you have some options. However, remember that there are individuals with severe disabilities that may not be immediately apparent, such as, cancer or MS. With that said, anyone that receives the privilege of handicapped parking needs to be present when parked in a spot. They must have their handicapped parking I.D., and be ready to show it to the police if asked. So for this step call the police and have them check the I.D. of the person parked, if they are parked there using a family member, or friends tag, they should be ticketed, in some states tags are confiscated.
3. If the parking violation is clear, i.e. strong healthy muscle head exits car and runs off to get a protein shake; then you can do any of the above or in some states one can take a picture of the car. Yes. Paparazzi the violators vehicle, shoot the license plate, front and complete picture of car in the parking spot and send it to the local police department with a note. The note should describe the specifics: date, time, place, and violation you are alleging, include your contact information.
4. Ask nicely. If you feel comfortable approaching the “violator” and feel you are in a safe environment, then ask them to remove their vehicle from the parking spot. Although, not everyone’s choice, this direct method can work wonders at showing the “violator”, how insensitive they are. Shame works wonders, however if that does not work, drop a dime on them to the local authorities.
5. If the perpetrator is not present and you don’t have time to deal with the problem right then; our website has “Warning” handicapped parking tickets you can download and print, for free. Go to http://www.thisabled.com/categoryblog/14-thisabled-free-stuff and click “parking ticket” link.
Do you have other suggestions about handicapped parking? Then share them in our new website http://www.thisablednation.org membership is free.
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