CITY TO STRICTLY ENFORCE HANDICAP PARKING VIOLATIONS
Disabled parking abuse frustrates citizens and officers alike. While it seems like such a petty violation, the truth is handicapped parking is designed to ensure accessible spaces are available for those individuals whose needs require them.
“Brenham police recognize the importance of handicapped parking spaces. We believe they are a necessity for our disabled citizens. When someone parks there without the proper placards it takes that spot from someone who truly needs it,” said Chief Craig Goodman.
Goodman also recognizes it’s difficult for an officer to respond to a call pertaining to a parking violation. With that in mind, the department is turning to its volunteer base for assistance.
“We have such an amazing volunteer group through the Citizens’ Police Academy Alumni Association and our Citizens on Patrol. We are calling on our COP members to assist us in enforcing the handicap parking violations beginning April 1,” he said.
The volunteers will undergo training on the laws associated with handicap parking prior to the program beginning, Goodman said.
“Once the traffic enforcement program begins, COP members will be on the lookout for violators. The registered owner of the vehicle parked illegally will be notified by mail and will receive a warning citation and a letter explaining the laws. Any further infractions will result in a citation being issued by an officer,” Goodman said.
The fee for a first time offense for a handicap parking violation is $500 plus $17 in court costs. And according to Brenham Municipal Court Administrator Rhonda Kuehn, it’s a fine that can’t be waived by the Court.
“This is one of those instances where the judge can’t lower the ticket regardless of the reason for the violation. If the person has a handicap placard, and just forgot to hang it, it’s possible the citation can be waived, but no guarantees. So that one simple ‘slip’ into the wrong space can end up costing you $517,” Kuehn said.
(Story courtesy, Angela Hahn, Brenham Police)
Handicap car display cards are a hot item to steal and sell. Many get taken from seniors who still drive but reside in assisted living, or from nursing home residents who keep them for use by any family member when taking them out. Verification of driver or passenger being present is the only sure method to fine the illicit use of stolen placards. These thieves use of spaces denies this privilege to the true handicapped.
II lost one last year. It most likely fell out of the door of my van. I’m sure someone is enjoying it, because nobody ever took it to customer service!
I agree no one should illegally park in a handicapped spot. However, if you have been to the Brenham Clinic lately, they have way to many handicapped spots now. They took away the few non-handicapped on the upper level and now when I go, I count at least 28-40 EMPTY handicapped spots every time! Most people going to the doctor are a little handicapped/sick, so the regular spots are necessary.
I see another side here in West Houston/Cypress. It is Target. They must have 80 handicapped parking spots at each store. So you go 10 min before closing for one item and you have to walk 50 yds past all the empty reserved spots and then walk another 50 yds inside the store to get to your section. At age 70 plus, luckily I CAN walk pretty well, but..
Let’s add it’s raining or it’s about 35 degrees and north wind blowing.
Local control and common sense of the populace is always a better solution than Disability Laws pronounced at the federal government level, for one size fits all.
Just saying.
Like you said- you’re lucky that you CAN walk that much. I’m in my thirties, and I CAN’T.
Motherhood,
You are by passing my point. Although I CAN doesn’t mean I should HAVE TO under conditions I described. I’m not disputing your right to the convenience, but excess handicap spaces are an infringement on those of of us that ARE older and vulnerable (that would be ME) but still thankfully able. Back to my last paragraph above.
IF THERE IS ONLY ONE HANDICAPPED SPOT LEFT FOR YOU AND ME , YOU GET IT. I JUST DON’T WANT TO WALK A 1/4 MILE PAST EMPTY HANDICAPPED SPOTS.
Part of the reason there are so many handicapped spaces, often many that go unused, is because of various government regulations that require a certain ratio based upon the size of the building or the capacity of people it will hold. The other reason is that some doctors are giving these things out like candy and not being honest with their patients and helping them live healthier lifestyles by encouraging them to walk more. I have long felt there should be some to of quantitative criteria that is applied before someone can get a handicapped parking pass.
On a side note, just because you are handicapped does not give you a license to just leave your shopping cart anywhere you want, put it away like the rest of us have to. Why should our cars have to be damaged because you will not put your cart away. If you cannot do this, ask the store for assistance in taking your purchases out to your car. Be fair to the rest of us who try to take care of our cars.
I feel the same way about the carts. It would be a good idea to have cart catchers up at the handicap parking. If I can take my shopping cart back inside the store, or halfway down the parking lot…….. nobody thinks about these things. And the handicap parking at the high school? Designed by a complete moron!
Just remember people some illnesses are Invisible and you don’t know what some people are dealing with….so please do not judge a book by its cover….
Violations are rampant. Good move, Chief. In due time, skip the warning.
I totally agree with the new effort to reduce parking violations, however can people get ticketed on private property? (Wal-Mart, H.E.B, etc). Also, PLEASE make sure the people patrolling KNOW the disabled parking laws. I personally am a 80% Disabled Veteran with current plates that identify me as such, but get DIRTY looks and comments all the time for parking in handicapped spots. Maybe we should come up with a law that protects us Veterans from the harassment we receive due to the ignorance and lack of knowledge of others too? We’ve fought and defended once, it’s a shame we have to fight and defend again in our hometowns…
People should thank God if they don’t need a handicap sticker and stop judging those that do have them.
Great to be policing this parking abuse that is wide spread.
Hopefully, North Burleson St. ( the race track) can be policed as well and slow down traffic. It is getting a little ridiculous on this street and it is still a street with kids and pets not a FM Road for 50-60 mph traffic. Please help us out !!
There are all forms of disability, as some of the people who have left replies don’t seem to know. I agree that the city needs to enforce the handicap parking laws, but remember, you can’t tell if someone is disabled just by looking at them.
I totally agree with you!
I completely agree. Just because you don’t see the impairment doesn’t mean there isn’t one. One has to get a prescription to get handicap plates/placards so there is a reason that does not have to be explained.
Yes, I have Lupus and I don’t look sick…and people look at me all the time…I even got a note placed on my vehicle at Wal mart in Tomball.
So, the COP will be allowed to write down a person’s plate if they are parked in a handicapped space with no tag. Basically, it is their word against yours. They could have a personal issue with someone, give their plate number, and possibly cost you lots of money. Not a good idea at all.
It would be simple enough to have the office snap a quick picture of the car parked in the handicapped parking spot as well as any placards the vehicle may or may not display. Pictures make for very strong and easy acquired proof (read evidence)
I like the chief’s approach, a warning the first time and tickets after that. This seems to be a wise and moderate approach.
“Any further citation (after the warning) will be issued by an officer.”
If you have a marked l.p. or placard you will be fine. This is for those who park and run in for a jug of milk because they don’t want to have to park on the second row. I wish they would do citations for those who park in front of the doors with the hazards on. Those are not “I can park anywhere” lights. I’m non handicapped and I see this so many times and I wanna write a note. I make sure to check for placards or l.p. I know what to look for first.
I am always amazed at the people who park in these spaces and jump out their cars running into the store with no apparent handicap. I realize that some handicaps are less obvious, but if the handicap person is not with you, not getting out of the car to shop, or will not be using the access provided by the reserved spot then you deserve the ticket if you park in one of these spots. I am glad to see the city starting to enforce this law.
Now is we could find a way to ticket the rude people who will not properly put their shopping carts away!
I don’t see why they need a warning- the handicap sign in front of/ next to the space is all the warning that they need. I don’t view the chief’s way as serious action.
I’d like to see them go after the people who have tags for one reason or another and park in the handicapped spots, then they get out of their vehicles and are obvioiusly not disabled. They are just too lazy and prefer to take the spot from someone who could truly benefit from closer parking. But $500 seems pretty steep for a first time offense of that nature.
I have to say, that I walk into the store seemingly fine, but I can barely push the cart full of groceries, when I’ve finished shopping (especially Walmart). My physical endurance doesn’t last very long, and there are many others just like me. I have Multiple Sclerosis. What you view as “obviously not disabled” couldn’t be further from the truth.
They have a reason why they have handy cap sticker they don’t just give them out they have to apply for them which means they have some sort of disability maybe you need a ticket for saying all the people with handy cap stickers that are parking in the right spots need tickets.
Not everyone’s disability is obvious, just because we can walk around good sometime doesn’t mean we can all the time.
Don’t judge a book by its cover..I have Lupus it’s called the invisible illness because I don’t look sick….
Hearing disabilities cannot been seen, but it is imperative that they park as close to the retail establishment as possible. Traffic, even in a private parking lot, can be very dangerous for someone who cannot hear a warning honk, etc.
Sorry, I have to cry foul on this one, I personally know two people who are completely deaf and communicate often via sign! They do not require handicapped parking but instead are trained to be very aware of their surroundings.
One of the problems is that many have abused the privilege of getting a handicapped tag and doctors in many cases are not very discerning when they prescribe these. There are segments of our population who actively seek these tags despite having no real need for them. A more robust criteria should be applied so that anyone and everyone who “wants” a handicapped tag is not given one and they are reserved for the truly needy.
As I stated before, I support the chief and his actions which seem very appropriate and reasonable. However, there are other angles regarding abuse of this system that also need to be addressed.
Agree with you, 100 percent!
also the ones that are expired. Many are temporary.
They keep using them.
Glad they are going to start patrolling this,have witnessed too many times people parking in the handicapped spots and don’t seem to have a handicap problem.
what they need to do is verify the person who has the handicap placard is actually the one who’s name it’s registered to . personally I know people who use their parents cars so they can use the tag even when the handicap person is not with them. This makes me so mad and I will voice my opinion if I catch the driver!! if your to lazy to park out in the parking lot then maybe you should not be shopping at all!! I hope they issue lots of tickets especially at the Wal Mart parking lot. .
Don’t judge a book by its cover. I don’t limp however I can’t walk far distances due to knee replacements
Oh I so agree with you on this. If the handicapped person is NOT with YOU then YOU have NO REASON TO USE THAT PLACARD!!! Also, read on tge back of the Handicap placard…IT CLEARLY STATES…DO NOT RIDE AROUND OR DRIVE AROUND WITH THIS PLACARD HUNG IN THE WINDOW!!!