People parking in handicapped spot

[Gaius46]

"Oh, I don't have a badge. But I am sure that the police officer who is going to attend in response to my call will be more than happy to show you their badge. By the way, if you attempt to leave you are evading arrest and that is a felony which will allow me to exercise my power to effect a 'Citizen's Arrest'."

"I don't need any medical credentials to ask you if you are legally in possession of that handicapped placard. I suspect that you are not and that means that I have reasonable grounds to believe that you are in possession of stolen property. By the way, if you attempt to leave you are evading arrest and that is a felony which will allow me to exercise my power to effect a 'Citizen's Arrest'."

Most jurisdictions in the US are not particularly fond of the Citizen's Arrest power even if it remains on the books in most states so you exercise it at your peril - get it wrong and you likely open yourself up to criminal liability.

Additionally illegally parking in a handicapped space is an administrative violation - fines run around $350 in my county - not a criminal one so it's not clear that you can legally arrest someone for it which gets back to the liability thing.

 

[Superfly]

"Oh, I don't have a badge. But I am sure that the police officer who is going to attend in response to my call will be more than happy to show you their badge. By the way, if you attempt to leave you are evading arrest and that is a felony which will allow me to exercise my power to effect a 'Citizen's Arrest'."

"I don't need any medical credentials to ask you if you are legally in possession of that handicapped placard. I suspect that you are not and that means that I have reasonable grounds to believe that you are in possession of stolen property. By the way, if you attempt to leave you are evading arrest and that is a felony which will allow me to exercise my power to effect a 'Citizen's Arrest'."

^^ This. Nosy ****ing busybodies, the lot of them.

 

[Superfly]

Define "handicapped"? As in missing legs?

Yeah, most people are not handicapped to the degree that they need a special parking space.

May I see your medical credentials?

 

[Superfly]

Most jurisdictions in the US are not particularly fond of the Citizen's Arrest power even if it remains on the books in most states so you exercise it at your peril - get it wrong and you likely open yourself up to criminal liability.

Additionally illegally parking in a handicapped space is an administrative violation - fines run around $350 in my county - not a criminal one so it's not clear that you can legally arrest someone for it which gets back to the liability thing.

He was being facetious, bud.

 

[Gaius46]

He was being facetious, bud.

Thx. No coffee when i wrote that and TC is sometimes hard for me to read.

 

[Lycanthrope]

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

Too much insanity, entitlement, and firepower in today's society. Life's too short to poke the crazy.

 

[Superfly]

Thx. No coffee when i wrote that and TC is sometimes hard for me to read.

I get that. Cheers. ️

 

[Simon W. Moon]

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.

If you have a hang tag, placard, or plate, you could just park behind their car.
If they get mad, tell them you were going to be real quick and only be there a minute, no big deal.

 

[Simon W. Moon]

Define "handicapped"? As in missing legs?

Yeah, most people are not handicapped to the degree that they need a special parking space.

Too bad the DMV have never bothered to make up red tape regulations which offer qualifying definitions.

'f only the DMV were sticklers about rules and regulations, then you could know what qualifies as disabled.

It's probably just a Wild West environment where each person gets to decide for themselves, yes?

 

[Chock Full o Nuts]

Too bad the DMV have never bothered to make up red tape regulations which offer qualifying definitions.

'f only the DMV were sticklers about rules and regulations, then you could know what qualifies as disabled.

It's probably just a Wild West environment where each person gets to decide for themselves, yes?

Ohio has what's supposed to qualify you for one.

To be eligible for an Ohio handicap parking permit, you must meet the following requirements, as certified by a doctor:

• Inability to walk 200 feet without resting
• Requiring the use of a portable oxygen tank
• Being restricted by a specific lung disease
• Needing assistance from a cane, crutch, brace, prosthetic device, wheelchair, another person or other assistive device for mobility
• Having a Class III or Class IV cardiac condition according to the American Heart Association standards
• Limited mobility due to a neurological, orthopedic or arthritic condition
• Being legally blind or severely visually impaired

But I see first hand that it does not have to be met, only get a doctor to "say" you have a qualifying condition. My own mother has one. "Reasoning" is she had a foot injury several years ago and managed to get a permanent one although she was back to walking fine before long. She lives with me now after step-dad passed. Walks just fine and can keep on walking without resting or seeming to have a hard time. She's just lazy and advantageous. Yes. I said this about my own mother because it's true!

 

[TU Curmudgeon]

I'm very aware of what handicapped parking spaces, placards and plates are for.



That wasn't the scenario you gave me, though. You said they were legitimately parked there with the handicapped person in the car, but the handicapped person never got out of the car.

That was the first scenario.

That was simply a matter of arrogant bad manners.

 

[TU Curmudgeon]

Most jurisdictions in the US are not particularly fond of the Citizen's Arrest power even if it remains on the books in most states so you exercise it at your peril - get it wrong and you likely open yourself up to criminal liability.

Additionally illegally parking in a handicapped space is an administrative violation - fines run around $350 in my county - not a criminal one so it's not clear that you can legally arrest someone for it which gets back to the liability thing.

The arrest would be for the person's attempt to evade prosecution not for the parking violation.

 

[Gaius46]

The arrest would be for the person's attempt to evade prosecution not for the parking violation.

So let me get this straight. Some guy gets informed that he's parked in a handicapped space and when he gets in his car to leave - which remedies any potential problem - he can be detained by a citizen under the theory that he's fleeing prosecution?

Even if it is strictly permissible - and I have serious doubts that it is - anyone who tried
that is frankly out to lunch. And I'd
guess any judge presented with this set of facts would only shake his head at the stupidity of man.

 

[zincwarrior]

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.

Calling the police is the best option. Option 2 can lead to felonies, car damage, hospital stays, and funerals.

 

[zincwarrior]

Ahh so you want to make fun of me for buying a cheap vehicle. Nice.

My wife had a car like that actually...

 

[TU Curmudgeon]

So let me get this straight. Some guy gets informed that he's parked in a handicapped space and when he gets in his car to leave - which remedies any potential problem - he can be detained by a citizen under the theory that he's fleeing prosecution?

An arguable case can be made to that effect.

Even if it is strictly permissible - and I have serious doubts that it is - anyone who tried
that is frankly out to lunch. And I'd
guess any judge presented with this set of facts would only shake his head at the stupidity of man.

Quite likely. The judge would also uphold the "parking where prohibited" fine and be rather scathing in their remarks while doing so.

 

[Super Chief]

May I see your medical credentials?

One does not need medical credentials in order to observe a person with two functioning legs park in a handicapped spot, and then proceed to enter a large retail store, a sports arena, or an amusement park, and the walk around for hours without needing a wheelchair. Sorry, but that is not handicapped.

Most handicapped laws are stupidly applied. In addition, why are handicapped not required to pay metered street parking like everyone else? Are handicapped also now automatically considered poor?

Any loser knows some doctor somewhere who is willing to hand out a handicapped certification letter to a friend or family... maybe even for money.

 

[Superfly]

One does not need medical credentials in order to observe a person with two functioning legs park in a handicapped spot, and then proceed to enter a large retail store, a sports arena, or an amusement park, and the walk around for hours without needing a wheelchair. Sorry, but that is not handicapped.

Most handicapped laws are stupidly applied. In addition, why are handicapped not required to pay metered street parking like everyone else? Are handicapped also now automatically considered poor?

Any loser knows some doctor somewhere who is willing to hand out a handicapped certification letter to a friend or family... maybe even for money.

If you are not licensed to practice medicine, you don’t get to diagnose anyone who may or may not fit your warped view of what you consider handicapped.

Are y’all racing for the bottom? Is that what you’re doing?

 

[TU Curmudgeon]

One does not need medical credentials in order to observe a person with two functioning legs park in a handicapped spot, and then proceed to enter a large retail store, a sports arena, or an amusement park, and the walk around for hours without needing a wheelchair. Sorry, but that is not handicapped.

A friend of mine once had a bunch of peel and stick signs made up. They said "Arrogant stupidity and total lack of consideration for other people is NOT a "Handicap". The print was on the sticky side and he delighted in slapping them on the driver's side front windshield of cars that were undeniably parked in a "Disabled" parking spot when no one in the vehicle was in the least bit disabled. He was once challenged by a driver who threatened to call the police over that "vandalism". My friend called the driver's bluff and the driver did call the police. After hearing both sides of the issue, the police officer "strongly admonished" my friend and warned him that he might potentially find himself in trouble if he was ever reported to (the same police officer) again and then issued the complaining driver with a $250 parking in handicapped space without permission ticket.

Most handicapped laws are stupidly applied. In addition, why are handicapped not required to pay metered street parking like everyone else?

I didn't know that they weren't. If they aren't in your area, then possibly you should start a "Make the Gimps Pay" campaign and get the city government to change their policies.

Are handicapped also now automatically considered poor?

Another one of your "incredibly logical and fact based" conclusion based question.

Any loser knows some doctor somewhere who is willing to hand out a handicapped certification letter to a friend or family... maybe even for money.

Really, would you like to provide the name, address, and telephone number of two such doctors? I'd be more than happy to forward that information, along with the information which you will freely provide so that the actual source of the report concerning those malefactors, to the relevant issuing authorities in your area.

HOWEVER, if you don't feel comfortable providing me with that information, I'd be more than please to have you post a redacted copy of your own message to the relevant issuing authorities advising them of the identities of the malefactors as well as redacted copies of the responses from those relevant issuing authorities.

On the other hand, since you aren't a "loser", maybe the case is that you simply do not know of any such malefactors and are merely making stuff up.

 

[Super Chief]

If you are not licensed to practice medicine, you don’t get to diagnose anyone who may or may not fit your warped view of what you consider handicapped.

I can make any observations I can, and make any comments based off of my observations. People who are ambulatory and able to walk a couple of thousand yards are NOT HANDICAPPED.... PERIOD!

 

[TU Curmudgeon]

If you are not licensed to practice medicine, you don’t get to diagnose anyone who may or may not fit your warped view of what you consider handicapped.

Are y’all racing for the bottom? Is that what you’re doing?

Quite right. Why it is absolutely impossible for anyone who sees an 18ish year old male park in a handicapped spot and then dash across two lanes of traffic to be able to conclude that - more likely than not - that car driver is not handicapped.

 

[Superfly]

I can make any observations I can, and make any comments based off of my observations. People who are ambulatory and able to walk a couple of thousand yards are NOT HANDICAPPED.... PERIOD!

Ok doctor. Let me know where you practice, so we can all avoid going.

 

[TU Curmudgeon]

I can make any observations I can, and make any comments based off of my observations. People who are ambulatory and able to walk a couple of thousand yards are NOT HANDICAPPED.... PERIOD!

Oh come ON now!

Just because they can "walk a couple of thousand yards" (a physical fact observation) how could you possibly determine if they are "ambulatory" (a medical diagnosis)?

 

[Superfly]

Quite right. Why it is absolutely impossible for anyone who sees an 18ish year old male park in a handicapped spot and then dash across two lanes of traffic to be able to conclude that - more likely than not - that car driver is not handicapped.

I’m not saying that and I don’t think anyone here who is saying not all handicaps are visible are saying that.

 

[Superfly]

I can make any observations I can, and make any comments based off of my observations. People who are ambulatory and able to walk a couple of thousand yards are NOT HANDICAPPED.... PERIOD!

When did handicapped people become the boogeyman to you?

Tired of drag queens and Honduran migrants? Need to move on?