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C Moon

(12,188 posts)
Sat Apr 15, 2017, 01:40 AM Apr 2017

There was an article in the L.A. Times today about a crack down illegal handicap parking.

The DMV set up a "sting" of sorts at a mall in Glendale.
The media was there.
One lady was caught parking her Mercedes in a handicap spot. The officer identified himself, and she insisted the placard was her husband's. She was written up for using her husband's placard and she became angry. Soon her husband and daughter showed up and they began yelling. The media was filming at this point, and the daughter yelled:
"You portray our president as bad!" And yelled expletives at the media.

It figures it would be Trump supporters who become indignant after being caught cheating handicap out of parking.

http://www.latimes.com/sdhoy-this-common-misuse-of-disabled-parking-permits-could-cost-you-1-000-20170414-story.html

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There was an article in the L.A. Times today about a crack down illegal handicap parking. (Original Post) C Moon Apr 2017 OP
I'm glad they are cracking down mrs_p Apr 2017 #1
Yeah, I agree with that. But maybe because they can't validate it in California. C Moon Apr 2017 #2
I have a handicap placard, Rincewind Apr 2017 #15
Good. PoindexterOglethorpe Apr 2017 #3
Good for you! silverweb Apr 2017 #7
Another time, pulling up to a different post office, PoindexterOglethorpe Apr 2017 #8
That can be a problem in some places. silverweb Apr 2017 #9
So the George Costanzas of the world are uniting? Initech Apr 2017 #4
:D C Moon Apr 2017 #5
I offended once. silverweb Apr 2017 #6
Great story! C Moon Apr 2017 #10
All true. lol silverweb Apr 2017 #12
I could get one, but won't. I'm quite able to get around. Lochloosa Apr 2017 #11
Bless you! silverweb Apr 2017 #13
Lol. My wife swears I call ahead for a good one. Lochloosa Apr 2017 #14
There you go. silverweb Apr 2017 #19
Here is the issue I have madokie Apr 2017 #16
That's a good point. C Moon Apr 2017 #20
my personal pet peeve Demonaut Apr 2017 #17
Libertarians hate the ADA. It wouldn't surprise me if attention causes GOPers to scale it back. TheBlackAdder Apr 2017 #18

mrs_p

(3,012 posts)
1. I'm glad they are cracking down
Sat Apr 15, 2017, 01:56 AM
Apr 2017

But in one of the images of a family with a young woman in a wheelchair the caption says they were cited b/c their placard is from out of state. I never knew that you couldn't use them in other states. What is someone supposed to do, especially someone in a wheelchair when they are in another state?

Rincewind

(1,199 posts)
15. I have a handicap placard,
Sat Apr 15, 2017, 07:23 AM
Apr 2017

the letter that came with it said it was good in all 50 states, and several Canadian Provinces.

PoindexterOglethorpe

(25,746 posts)
3. Good.
Sat Apr 15, 2017, 02:04 AM
Apr 2017

Several years ago a friend gave me a ride and we needed to stop at the post office. He pulled into a handicapped space and put up his placard. I made him take it down and move the car, because I was the one who'd be going inside, and I'm quite able-bodied, thank you very much. He needed it and deserved it, but I would not let him use it inappropriately.

I'm as lazy as anyone else, but I also understand that I do not have any mobility issues, for which I am extremely grateful. Especially as I get older and I'm genuinely horrified to see how many people my age cannot get around easily, are in ill health, need oxygen, and so on. If ONLY those who need to use the handicap parking would do so, it would be much better.

Although I will say I sometimes have an issue with an excess of handicapped spaces. At my local bank, some years back, there were three handicapped spaces directly in front of the bank, and in all the times I went there (over 18 years) I doubt I saw someone with the handicapped placard or license more than two or three times. It was overkill. Okay, so I'd mutter a bit as I walked an extra 20 feet. I would still never park in those spaces.

PoindexterOglethorpe

(25,746 posts)
8. Another time, pulling up to a different post office,
Sat Apr 15, 2017, 04:03 AM
Apr 2017

the only parking space left was a handicapped space. I started to pull into it, realized I just couldn't, and drove away. Came back a while later to do my business. The real problem here was a distinct lack of parking spaces of any kind, regular or handicapped.

silverweb

(16,402 posts)
9. That can be a problem in some places.
Sat Apr 15, 2017, 04:05 AM
Apr 2017

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]Like you, I couldn't take that spot if it was the last one. Someone who really needs it might arrive in the meantime.

silverweb

(16,402 posts)
6. I offended once.
Sat Apr 15, 2017, 03:34 AM
Apr 2017

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]I was quite young and had recently had an open total knee reconstruction (no arthroscopy available yet). I was still hobbling around on crutches, although I could drive again with great discomfort and I was determined.

Handicapped parking was a pretty new thing at the time and I was barely aware of it at all, living in a semi-rural suburban area. When I stopped to see a friend who lived in a new high-rise city apartment, I spotted a very convenient "handicapped zone" and thought, oh how nice! - thinking it was an amenity for visitors to this lovely upscale building and completely unaware that I needed a permit.

When I returned to my car, an officer was writing a ticket and I naively said, "Oh, but I am temporarily handicapped! I can't get around without these crutches yet and it's still quite painful." He just smiled and I swear suppressed a laugh, and patiently explained about the permit requirement. I felt like a complete dunce (which I kind of was at the time) and meekly took the ticket, but I did appreciate that he was so nice about it.

Oh, to be young again - but not so stupid!

Lochloosa

(16,019 posts)
11. I could get one, but won't. I'm quite able to get around.
Sat Apr 15, 2017, 04:50 AM
Apr 2017

Leave the spot for someone who really needs it.

silverweb

(16,402 posts)
13. Bless you!
Sat Apr 15, 2017, 05:53 AM
Apr 2017

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]May you always find a good parking spot when you need one!

madokie

(51,076 posts)
16. Here is the issue I have
Sat Apr 15, 2017, 08:01 AM
Apr 2017

we have three vehicles and one old bastard, (me,) who has a legitimate need for a handicap placard. Many times I'm alone and my handicap placard is in the wifes car as it is what we drive most when we go places where it would be handy to have so what do I do. I'll tell you and that is I park as close to a handicap spot as I can get as generally they are close to the door. What I don't understand is why can't I have a placard for each of our vehicles? Invariably I'll be in one of the three vehicles that doesn't have it in it.

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