A mom sets bad example for her kids
Even before I was a teenager I’d tell the librarians at my local branch when someone would park in a disabled parking space without the proper permit. This was a good 15 years before the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 as well as before I became disabled in 2008. These days most drivers seldom park in a disabled parking spot without a permit.
But the loading space next to the disabled parking spot is another story. On Friday I was in the St. Louis suburb of Warson Woods Missouri (Manchester & Sappington). When I left the store I was visiting I see a mom unloading two kids from her car. One was a baby in a stroller and they other maybe 4-5 years old. My car was parked not in the disabled space to the left of her car but in the regular space to the right. I parked to the right of the loading zone because getting in and out of my car requires me to open my driver’s door fully.
As I made my way to my car I had to pass right by her. I said something like, “You know that is not a parking space?” She replied, “Oh, yeah.” I then told her that space is very helpful for those using wheelchairs and that she was setting a bad example for her kids. I was very upset. Perhaps I should get stickers printed to slap on a window — one of those that is hard to remove? But that would probably be considered an act of property damage or something.
The loading zone is critical for a ramp from a van but also a must when helping a passenger to get in and out of a manual wheelchair or even using a walker. As the Baby Boomers age we will see more and more people who need a bit of assistance — and space.
What really upsets me is she had the choice of two space nearly as close — the one in front of her car and the one in front of the disabled space. There was no shortage of parking, she just felt that she was entitled. I think when someone parks as she did they don’t expect to get called out by some who is disabled. Hopefully she will remember me.
– Steve Patterson
I don't see the need for you to obscure the license plate in photos like these.
I was just going to say the thing that Jim said.
I still don't know exactly what the law is around this issue. When people are parked wrong on public streets I tend to show the plate but I'm not sure about when it is in a private parking lot. Better safe than sorry.
If they're breaking the law, what expectation should there be for privacy? Using the same logic, the police shouldn't publicize composite photos of robbery suspects, since the crime took place on private property!
I agree with Mr. Patterson
Completely understandable why you were upset, why not call the police and have a ticket issued?
Have you ever tried calling the police about these issues? You have to get the dispatcher to understand why it is a police matter, wait for the police to show up, hope the violator doesn't leave in the meantime, etc. I just wanted to finish my shopping and return home. Calling the police takes a level of energy I just didn't have at that moment.
Well, I use to work at a grocery store down Manchester Road in Ballwin as a courtesy clerk when I was a young guy, and we had to make those calls from time to time and they would show up in about five minutes or less. I don't know what to tell you.
Yep, best thing to do is let the business know, and they'll usually take care of it. After all, who doesn't like to see these yahoos get busted with a big fine?
More than a few cities have established programs for volunteers to enforce these restrictions (Google “volunteer enforcement of handicapped parking”). Yes, this isn't, and probably shouldn't be, a big priority for commissioned police officers to enforce, but there's no reason why either volunteers or paid parking enforcement officers can't make it a priority. Laws without consequences, like the one requiring removing handicapped parking placards before driving, are worthless.
I had just left the business she was going into. I was carrying a heavy bag and I didn't want to have a confrontation inside the business.
Actually Steve, my wife who is disabled has called the police on people that have parked in these areas and had them respond. Her incident with a dean at UMSL still has me smiling cause not only did he get a ticket from campus police but he also received a state citation for the infraction.
I can say that I do actually understand why you didn't call. If the infraction doesn't impact you there is not much you can do. It might be a different scenario, and story, if you had unable to get into or out of your own vehicle.
Just sayin'
Probably because there was no space marked “Reserved for Expectant and New Moms” – Don't you know, in today's world, it IS all about ME!
I'm all in favor of citizen enforcement. Public accommodations like this only work if there's a strong social incentive not to violate them – the cops can't be everywhere enforcing parking restrictions. Calling her out like that was a courageous act of citizenry. Most people wouldn't bother, they think it's not their problem and so ladies like that carry on unchecked.
A key to the paint is a wonderful teaching tool!
Well, the GPD (Glendale Police Dept.) is not more than 1.5 miles down Sappington, and Warson Woods PD is–or at least was–in the strip mall just west of this location. Grew up in this area, dontcha know. The Popo in the bedroom suburbs have almost nothing to do. Give 'em something to get excited about and CALL next time.
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