People parking in handicapped spot

Helix said:

I assume that everyone holding a steering wheel is potentially violently insane, so I would go into the store, buy my shit, and leave.

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The Mark said:

Thing is, with a vehicle involved, they don't have to be violently insane, just forgetful and distracted.

But the result is similar, depending on situation.

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The Mark said:

Thing is, with a vehicle involved, they don't have to be violently insane, just forgetful and distracted.

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Helix said:

I assume that everyone holding a steering wheel is potentially violently insane, so I would go into the store, buy my shit, and leave.

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Craig234 said:

Let's say someone illegally parks in a handicapped spot, and you witness it. Perhaps you tell them it's wrong, and they refuse to move.

Let's recognize that some people are handicapped and it's not clearly visible; but in that case the vehicle should have a placard. There's common sense; they can appear to have difficulties with or without a placard. But let's say it's obvious there are no visible issues and their response suggests they know what they're doing.

Option 1: call the police; if they get there very fast, it's a big fine. Great option if it worked, but the police usually aren't that fast, and people know that, and get away.

Option 2: park your vehicle behind theirs, blocking them in, until police arrive.

I asked a police dispatcher about this. They said if you're actively sitting in your car blocking them while they try to get out, that's 'taking them hostage', a more serious crime.

But if you park behind them and leave like going in the store, it's simply 'two illegally parked vehicles'.

Then she added she things the officers would not ticket you for it. That left only one main issue - escalation, i.e., the person rams your car, has a gun, etc.

Let's hear some thoughts on how to respond. One option is 'do nothing', another is 'leave it at telling them they're breaking the law' and try to get the police there fast in the rare case they can, third is to call the police and block them in, go in the store and keep an eye, and explain it to the police.

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Craig234 said:

Let's say someone illegally parks in a handicapped spot, and you witness it. Perhaps you tell them it's wrong, and they refuse to move.

Let's recognize that some people are handicapped and it's not clearly visible; but in that case the vehicle should have a placard. There's common sense; they can appear to have difficulties with or without a placard. But let's say it's obvious there are no visible issues and their response suggests they know what they're doing.

Option 1: call the police; if they get there very fast, it's a big fine. Great option if it worked, but the police usually aren't that fast, and people know that, and get away.

Option 2: park your vehicle behind theirs, blocking them in, until police arrive.

I asked a police dispatcher about this. They said if you're actively sitting in your car blocking them while they try to get out, that's 'taking them hostage', a more serious crime.

But if you park behind them and leave like going in the store, it's simply 'two illegally parked vehicles'.

Then she added she things the officers would not ticket you for it. That left only one main issue - escalation, i.e., the person rams your car, has a gun, etc.

Let's hear some thoughts on how to respond. One option is 'do nothing', another is 'leave it at telling them they're breaking the law' and try to get the police there fast in the rare case they can, third is to call the police and block them in, go in the store and keep an eye, and explain it to the police.

Click to expand...

Craig234 said:

Let's say someone illegally parks in a handicapped spot, and you witness it. Perhaps you tell them it's wrong, and they refuse to move.

Let's recognize that some people are handicapped and it's not clearly visible; but in that case the vehicle should have a placard. There's common sense; they can appear to have difficulties with or without a placard. But let's say it's obvious there are no visible issues and their response suggests they know what they're doing.

Option 1: call the police; if they get there very fast, it's a big fine. Great option if it worked, but the police usually aren't that fast, and people know that, and get away.

Option 2: park your vehicle behind theirs, blocking them in, until police arrive.

I asked a police dispatcher about this. They said if you're actively sitting in your car blocking them while they try to get out, that's 'taking them hostage', a more serious crime.

But if you park behind them and leave like going in the store, it's simply 'two illegally parked vehicles'.

Then she added she things the officers would not ticket you for it. That left only one main issue - escalation, i.e., the person rams your car, has a gun, etc.

Let's hear some thoughts on how to respond. One option is 'do nothing', another is 'leave it at telling them they're breaking the law' and try to get the police there fast in the rare case they can, third is to call the police and block them in, go in the store and keep an eye, and explain it to the police.

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Rexedgar said:

We need more confrontations, dress them down publicly!


Tangentially, I was in the barbershop this morning and a patron was recounting a story about his use of a handicapped scooter in a big box store. According to him, he was done and waiting for his wife to arrive and load his shit and go home. Another customer asked if he was done with the scooter and proceeded to get abusive when the scooter was not surrendered in a timely fashion. At that point, another patron chimed it that that was the reason for concealed carry, whereupon, I sounded off that that seemed a little extreme. The gunner then said that the guy should get right with Jesus, because that was where he would send the guy, I said that now that we had hit two of the three toxic topics, we should start on politic. Tucker’s predicament was next up; I got my haircut and GTF outta there…………

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Craig234 said:

There's nothing 'forgetful and distracted' about the topic, which assumes they were confronted and refused to move.

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Davin said:

I actually enjoyed this since my wife, who has a disability that is not visible, parked in handicap but forgot to put her placard up, HAD a vehicle do what you just described. Police were called and to the dismay of the person "that decided to illegally park" only they were going to be ticketed to their embarassment. Although the cop was nice and with my wife's permission, allowed the person to apologize to my wife and was let off with a warning.

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Moon said:

Parking lots seem to bring out the crazy in people, and if they’re already crazy…well, that’s just bad.

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Craig234 said:

Thanks for the story. That's a situation to be careful about. Presumably if the person had talked to your wife, she could have explained, which is annoying to have to do, but part of holding people accountable.

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justoneman said:

I went to the library yesterday. In front of the library there is one of those little food pantries for people who are struggling. as I walked in there was a man filling up a box with items from the pantry. He took his box to his $60,000 Tundra that was illegally parked in front of the entrance.

Just saying.

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Craig234 said:

Let's say someone illegally parks in a handicapped spot, and you witness it. Perhaps you tell them it's wrong, and they refuse to move.

Click to expand...

Craig234 said:

I asked a police dispatcher about this. They said if you're actively sitting in your car blocking them while they try to get out, that's 'taking them hostage', a more serious crime.

Click to expand...

Craig234 said:

But if you park behind them and leave like going in the store, it's simply 'two illegally parked vehicles'.

Click to expand...

Craig234 said:

Then she added she things the officers would not ticket you for it. That left only one main issue - escalation, i.e., the person rams your car, has a gun, etc.

Click to expand...

Craig234 said:

Let's hear some thoughts on how to respond. One option is 'do nothing', another is 'leave it at telling them they're breaking the law' and try to get the police there fast in the rare case they can, third is to call the police and block them in, go in the store and keep an eye, and explain it to the police.

Click to expand...

justoneman said:

I went to the library yesterday. In front of the library there is one of those little food pantries for people who are struggling. as I walked in there was a man filling up a box with items from the pantry. He took his box to his $60,000 Tundra that was illegally parked in front of the entrance.

Just saying.

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Davin said:

How do you know he wasn't taking it to someone of need that couldn't make it?

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justoneman said:

Sure. Or he could have borrowed his neighbor's expensive truck. Or maybe he was starving and stopped at the pantry on his way to the used car dealership to sell his truck.

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