One Clarkston resident is speaking out about what he feels is misuse of handicap parking spaces.
Bill Chamberlin, who suffered a spinal injury when he fell on the job as a project manager for Toyota, said too many unauthorized people park in handicap designated spots, and unfair legislation let’s them do so without penalty.
‘You can’t be ticketed for parking in a handicap spot unless there is a posted sign,? he said.
That’s true, according to Michigan statute 257.941. Before 1988, parking spaces were reserved simply with a symbol painted on the ground. Regulations now require handicap spaces to be marked with a mounted sign, either by post or wall. Spaces marked with only paint on the ground no longer are considered legally reserved.
‘Everybody just takes advantage,? Chamberlin said. ‘They say, ‘I only parked there for a minute,? but it’s a minute long enough for me not to be able to park there.?
‘They abuse the sign, but also are abusing the handicap. I think it’s a terrible thing,? Chamberlin continued. ‘I feel we are a forgotten and abused citizen. So many of us are frustrated.?
Lt. Dale LaBair of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department in Independence Township assured the department is ticketing when vehicles are spotted in handicap spots without a permit.
‘We write ’em (tickets),? LaBair said. ‘We write a lot of ’em.?
But, he said, at least half of the citations issued turn out to be handicapped individuals who forgot to place their parking permit in the window. The citations then are thrown out.
Overall, LaBair said, ‘Frankly, we don’t see it (handicap violations) as a problem in the township.?
But Chamberlin is wanting a change. He hopes getting the word out through the media might help.
Chamberlin would like to see some type of enforcement program go into effect. He’s heard word that in a town in Ohio if a handicap person spots someone who shouldn’t be parking in a handicap spot, they have authority to write that offender a ticket.
In fact, there are places right in Michigan that do offer something similar, and is allowed by Michigan statute 257.675d.
In Novi and spreading to other communities are Volunteer Handicap Enforcement Teams, programs designed to use civilian volunteers to issue parking violations who illegally park in handicap spaces on public and private properties. The teams are used as a supplement to uniform road patrol.
Novi started their enforcement team in 1997, and currently have 10 members, all who are senior citizens.
Volunteers must go through a training course on handicap parking laws, citation issuance, court testimony, and managing contacts with the community. And all new volunteers must ride with a trained volunteer before they’re cleared as a member.
LaBair said a program of this sort is typically initiated by the local government and then supported by the local police. ‘We have no objection to it,? he said.
Independence Township Clerk Joan McCrary said the idea of starting a handicap enforcement program sounds good because she is aware there are violations that occur in the township. But she said, to her knowledge, no one has ever broached the subject with township officials before.
She suggests anyone interested in starting this type of program attend a township board meeting, speak during the public forum, and ask the board for support in passing a resolution.
The Independence Township Board meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at the Independence Township Library at 7:30 p.m.