Handicapped Parking & "Courtesy Patrol"

[humor me]

I live in an un-gated community. On my nightly walks with my dog I often see not only non-tagged residents parked in the one handicapped spot at the front of the apartment complex, but also the hired "Courtesy Patrol". (Management has informed me that this is not, in fact, actual Security)

The first time I confronted a young officer, I mentioned to him that he was parked in a handicapped spot. I expected "Oh, sorry! You're right. I'm outta here and I won't do it again." Instead, I got an earful of, "I was only going to be a minute. What's the big deal?", and simply did not get it. I went in, called the security company and complained. The Sargent promised me that he would be disciplined and that a memo would go out reminding officers no to use apartment handicapped spaces. I thought the matter was closed.

Fast forward to last night. I again find another officer parked in the handicapped spot. The same conversation ensues. "You know you're parked in the handicapped spot, right?" This, being an older gentleman was far more courteous, polite, and I assume thought forward to the day when he may need a handicapped spot because he apologized and moved immediately.

The question is for any of you that started out doing private security. At what point do I make my second call to politely remind the company of their policy to not have officers parking in handicapped spots?

[pac201]

The squeaky wheel gets the grease...

Make some noise until it quits.

[Joeyd6]

Yep....and I would not talk to the "supervisor" working, you want the site account manager. Let him know if it happens again you will be notifying the community management/baord and making a formal complaint, taking photographs of such and notifying the police and requestings a summons be issued. You can only be nice so long!

[mcsap]

Take digital pics and email them to someone in charge.

[retdetsgt]

I have no idea what the police are like there, but in some places you could contact them and they might deal with it. At least in Oregon, parking in handicap parking, no matter if it's private property or not is huge parking fine.

[Cat_Doc]

Maybe you should approach the apartment manager with the idea that they provide free rent and utilities to you and you will take over the job of the courtesy patrol. This should free up money from the security contract and you have proven yourself worthy by already jumping right on top of leash laws and handicap parking issues. Win-win for all.

[Sgt. Slaughter]

Sarge is a jacktard.

[mcsap]

Actually , I can write such tickets on private property on PA as long as it is properly posted. Min of $50 plus costs and up to $200 plus costs.

[retdetsgt]

Actually , I can write such tickets on private property on PA as long as it is properly posted. Min of $50 plus costs and up to $200 plus costs.

Same here. The fine used to be about $250. I don't know what it is now. It defeats the purpose of them if police can't enforce them on private property. Nearly all are in private parking lots such as malls. In reality, very few are on the street.

[Sgt. Slaughter]

Sarge is a jacktard.

[humor me]

So basically, I should start going in and calling the non-emergency number every time I see a car parked in the handicapped spot (there is one in particular that parks there 3-4 times/wk.) that is not marked by tag or hanger? The security car is only there for about 10 minutes tops. It would take me that long just to hobble back to my apartment, make the connection, and by the time they got a car sent out in que, the security car would be long gone.

I tried taking pictures on my cell phone (no minutes, just 911) to post on a site for rude parking of the one chronic rude parker, but it can't take a picture in such low light. I doubt I'm going to do any better taking a picture of the security vehicle. I have a digital camera, but the batteries are completely shot, and I'd have to order new ones. You can't get them just anywhere.

Talking to management is useless. Even in broad daylight there are unmarked cars parked in the handicapped spot and no one says anything. They are good about cleaning up broad issues (lighting, shrubbery is trimmed to eliminate potential hiding spots, etc.), but a lot of specifics like leash laws, noise issues are ignored. I feel like I should just turn my head and walk away from this, but its that kind of attitude that lets things turn the world into a toilet.

[retdetsgt]

One other suggestion is to go down to the police station sometime and ask to talk to a patrol Sgt. Tell him face to face what the problem is and ask him to have an officer drive through the area once in a while. They might run across one parked in one of the zones. That kind of thing annoys lots of people.

If that doesn't work, you might just have to let it go.

[Sgt. Slaughter]

You gotta pick your battles. Do you want the reputation at the police department of being the citizen who calls all the time for someone parking there? You're talking about calling several times a week. How often do you think a patrol unit will actually be free to show up and check things out? While it's probably important to you, in the grand scheme of things, it's one of the, if not the lowest thing on the totem pole for a patrol response. It's not even a crime, it's a parking issue. No traffic is being impeded, no one is in the process of being injured/maimed/killed. I would be surprised if you ever saw a radio car show up. I know what the calls for service are like in your city and there are far more pressing issues for them to handle.

The only thing I might see happening is a motorcycle officer showing up to issue a citation. That would be a 1 time thing and most likely an attempt to slake your thirst for "action" on the department's part.

[humor me]

You gotta pick your battles. Do you want the reputation at the police department of being the citizen who calls all the time for someone parking there? You're talking about calling several times a week. How often do you think a patrol unit will actually be free to show up and check things out? While it's probably important to you, in the grand scheme of things, it's one of the, if not the lowest thing on the totem pole for a patrol response. It's not even a crime, it's a parking issue. No traffic is being impeded, no one is in the process of being injured/maimed/killed. I would be surprised if you ever saw a radio car show up. I know what the calls for service are like in your city and there are far more pressing issues for them to handle.

The only thing I might see happening is a motorcycle officer showing up to issue a citation. That would be a 1 time thing and most likely an attempt to slake your thirst for "action" on the department's part.

Yeah, that's kinda what I was afraid of. *sigh* I just have to hope that Karma catches up with these people one day.

But I seriously AM going to call the security company if I see them parked out there again. They DO have a policy of not being parked in the handicapped spots, and they are representing their company.

[humor me]

You gotta pick your battles. Do you want the reputation at the police department of being the citizen who calls all the time for someone parking there? You're talking about calling several times a week. How often do you think a patrol unit will actually be free to show up and check things out? While it's probably important to you, in the grand scheme of things, it's one of the, if not the lowest thing on the totem pole for a patrol response. It's not even a crime, it's a parking issue. No traffic is being impeded, no one is in the process of being injured/maimed/killed. I would be surprised if you ever saw a radio car show up. I know what the calls for service are like in your city and there are far more pressing issues for them to handle.

The only thing I might see happening is a motorcycle officer showing up to issue a citation. That would be a 1 time thing and most likely an attempt to slake your thirst for "action" on the department's part.

Yeah, that's kinda what I was afraid of. *sigh* I just have to hope that Karma catches up with these people one day.

But I seriously AM going to call the security company if I see them parked out there again. They DO have a policy of not being parked in the handicapped spots, and they are representing their company.