From the Harford County Sheriff’s Office:
People with disabilities face challenges every day, not the least of which is finding adequate parking when they need it. For those with disabilities, the use of handicapped parking spaces, correctly known as accessible parking spaces, is not a luxury; it’s a necessity. Yet every day, motorists with disabilities can’t find parking spaces when they need them because their non-disabled counterparts use these spaces as a means of convenience.
The Harford County Commission on Disabilities and Harford County Sheriff’s Office urge Harford County citizens to leave designated parking spots for those who truly need them. They encourage all drivers to be considerate when parking and to remember that parking for “just a minute” is 60 seconds too long!
On Wednesday July 6, 2011, members of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office and agents of the Motor Vehicle Administration conducted a detail targeting handicapped parking violators in the Edgewood/ Joppa parking lots of retail establishments in the area. The detail yielded the following results:
39 – Drivers were approached and/or stopped
6 – MD Uniform citations were issued for handicapped violations
2 – MD Uniform citations were issued for driving on a suspended license
2 – Harford County citations were issued
7 – Handicapped placards were seized as the result of misuse
1 – Arrest Warrant from Baltimore City PD was served
For more information about the Maryland Accessibility Code and specifications on accessible parking spaces and signage, and for copies of the Code, contact the Maryland Codes Administration Office at 410-514-7220.
Teresa says
I watched a perfectly able-bodied woman climb into her SUV complete with handicap placard and Shock Trauma tags and pull out of an accessible space at Redners in Joppa one day. What kind of slap on the wrist are these lazy fools facing?
Jennifer says
I am glad you are a medical doctor and able to make these determinations Teresa. There are many illnesses that individuals have that you do not see. The fact that I have a placard, used a parking spot, and looked fine walking out has no baring on someone’s right to use it.
I have rheumatoid arthritis and some days I might look perfectly fine coming out of a store. You don’t know my level of pain. You don’t know if I came out empty handed when I might have needed a closer space to bring out items I had hoped to get that would have made it difficult to carry. You can’t see my husband’s numb arm from MS that makes carrying items for longer distances difficult.
I have been approached several times by people such as you who think they know me better than myself or my doctor. I will GLADLY give you or anyone else the parking space if you take my illness. I am tired of the surgeries; I am tired of the medication and the side effects. While they need to tighten some aspects of placard distribution, don’t make backseat diagnoses. You don’t know what they have and how it affects their ability to function.
Beth says
Thank You, Jennifer.
I, too, have an invisible illness. If you watch me, you might see some wobble in my walk. If you talk with me, particularly later in the afternoon, you’ll notice I’m more tired that the average person. If you ask me, I’ll tell you that I now feel like I’m wearing 8 lb ankle weights while wading thru mud hip deep. You may not see my pain and struggle, but it’s there and it’s real. I get nightly injections to fight my disease and take daily medications to make the day manageable.
You can’t see MS, but it’s there. So, Teresa, disability does not come with a cane or a wheelchair. Sometimes it’s silent. NEVER ASSUME.
MacG says
I applaud these deputies for enforcing parking restrictions but … with the high crime statistics in/on the Route 40 corridor (Edgewood/Joppa) could not have these deputies efforts been better used catching the bad guys breaking into homes, shooting and stabbing people, selling drugs, etc.? It appears the Sheriff’s department has difficulty prioritizing assignments. This would be a leadership problem. Did Barney Fife get promoted to Sheriff in Harford County?
llj says
You have got to be kidding me! You clearly have no idea what goes on with the HCSO. My husband is an officer and frequently works those areas, dealing with all of the above on almost a nightly basis. This would be one of many separate details that the HCSO works on. Of course the police are out taking care of more pressing issues. If you know of these situations of stabbings, drugs and the like, then why don’t you be a proactive citizen and pick up the phone….. they would appreciate your efforts!
MacG says
I know of these things, I read the Dagger. I appreciate the service of your husband; I do not commend the leadership of the Sheriff’s department.
Monster says
you need help
vietnam vet says
I too applaud the Deputys, fore there good work. I look perfectly normal. but I have to stop about every 10 feet to continue walking.
100% percent service connected Disability.
none says
It’s about time. Next they should hit the WalMart in Aberdeen. Ii know there are people that need to use the parking spaces that are taken up by the people that don’t need them. everyday you can watch car after car that has a perfectly healthy person that is driving a car that someone who has a tag is not in the car and they still park in the space.
Porter says
@None
Actually you can’t tell by looking at anyone as to whether they are perfectly healthy.
Now folks that abuse handicap parking should be ticketed.
I have a handicap permit and look healthy.
Louie DePalma says
Good work. Anyway to get and keep law enforcement in the community is positive. While those guys were working this detail I bet other crimes diminished just by their presence.