Handicapped Parking space dispute leads to charges (hold mah beer in mah wheelchair alert)

Ithaca Journal ^ | 12/5/02

[Behind Liberal Lines]

Charge: Michael was charged with third-degree menacing, a class B misdemeanor. Brewer was charged with second-degree menacing, a class A misdemeanor. Spencer was charged with second-degree harassment, a violation.

Incident: At 2:13 p.m. Tuesday , Ithaca Police responded to a complaint in the parking lot of Rite Aid Drug Store, 6155 S. Meadow St. As officers arrived at the scene, they noticed three people yelling. Brewer was charged for allegedly menacing with a shotgun, Ithaca Police said. Michael was charged after allegedly threatening others with a tire iron, police said.

[FreeTally]

Just remember folks, if you see someone get out of a car with a HC card it might be you can't detect what is wrong.

I understand, and that must be considered as well. It maye be hard to make that type of a judgement call if you only see the person get in or get out of the vehicle and we may unfairly criticize someone like yourself who had a legitimate need that wasn't that obvious. Its another thing when you noticed the person walking and shopping in the same store you were in and the last thing you would have thought is that they were disabled.

[fone]

||| Apparently, Brewer is a published author. |||

What an interesting, small world we have. Someone once posted that if you want a real shocker, to do a google-type search on your own name and see what comes to surface. One of these days I will.

Brewer, is that you?

[airborne]

For some people, the doctor should prescribe walking more instead of walking less!

[Kenton]

Well, I've heard of wheelchair basketball and wheelchair dancing, but I've never heard of dueling in wheelchairs!

[Protagoras]

Sure sounds like these "handicapped" gentlemen were plenty healthy when it was time to pull out the guns and tire irons.

The parking spot laws are just one more idiotic idea gone bad. Every morning when I wait on the train platform for my commute to the city I see the same "handicapped" woman pull right up front, in the free parking spot right next to the terminal, put her tag on the rearview, get out and run to the newspaper machine 100 yds away. She then walks briskly back 100 yds to where she started and then another 50 yds to where she likes to board the train. (yep, right up front)

This woman is in no way "handicapped" , except ethically. Yesterday I saw the same type thing happen with a girl who couldn't have been 19 yrs old and she was perfectly capable of walking as well.

[AdA$tra]

I would like to know why there are no parking meters in the handicap parking spots?

[FreeTally]

I tend to see this activity involving women more than I do men. Both your examples were women also. I wonder why this is?

[Protagoras]

I don't know, maybe they think they are less likely to be given an old fashioned ass kicking. You see more belligerent

females in traffic as well. (an unscientific observation)

[Protagoras]

I would like to know why there are no parking meters in the handicap parking spots?

Bingo, great question which has occurred to me many times.

[JHrules]

I think that more to the point. If a person has a physical handicap they should not be allowed to drive at all. Most handicaps that limit your ability to move your body around are going to cause you to be a danger on the road too. And for the person who had a heartattack, shame on you for assuming you could drive around and not have another while in traffic. I live in Phoenix and see all kinds of arthritic, shaky, or otherwise handicapped old people driving and it scares the heck outa me. What is your reaction time, range of motion, or range of awareness limited to with a handicap as a driver? Do you take medications that warn about using heavy equipment? Do the world a favor and use public transportation or friends to drive you and after they drop you off they can go park in a normal spot.

[riversarewet]

I would like to see an admendment to the law that mandated these handicap parking spots. (Actually I would like to see it repealed, but that is not going to happen.)

The rule would be that each handicap parking spot is to be monitored. If a handicap person has not used that spot in a year, it could revert back to normal use.

[FreeTally]

I think that more to the point. If a person has a physical handicap they should not be allowed to drive at all. Most handicaps that limit your ability to move your body around are going to cause you to be a danger on the road too.

I have thought of that too. Its different when the person driving is not the disabled one, though. But, I sure dont like to watch a person on crutches hobble to their vehicle, then get in a drive.

[jjm2111]

"I also must state a complaint that many have. At some places, there are just way too many HC parking spots to begin with. At some Wal-Marts and Targets, the first six or eight spots on every row are HC."

At one of my local strip malls there's like 150 parking spaces and 30-40 of them are HC. It's nuts.

[jjm2111]

Because many men would rather suffer and NOT be labeled "handicapped". Too much tough guy ethos; like not wearing gloves when it's 15 degrees out. Unless I was wheelchair bound, I'd probably not use 'em.

[FreeTally]

I don't know, maybe they think they are less likely to be given an old fashioned ass kicking. You see more belligerent females in traffic as well. (an unscientific observation)

I tell you, women are the smartest of the sexes when it comes to the "What can I get away with" notion. They know most men dont want to be "that guy" seen standing in a parking lot screaming at a woman. A guy yelling at a woman is automatically the "jerk" in most people's minds.

[Eaker]

When I go to places like Walmart or the mall, I often see all HP spaces full, so I park in the middle of two spaces, so I can unload my wheelchair. Many times people park so close that my open door comes into contact with their car. There needs to be stricter regulations for handicapped placards (at least here in PA). Doctors here will give anyone a placard, and that's all it takes is a doctor to sign for one. I get really ticked off sometimes, but never enough to pull out a shotgun.

5 posted on 12/05/2002 6:15 AM PST by airborne

[Protagoras]

I was referring to people who are not handicaped at all, but use the tag to get free and convenient parking. My mother is 86 and can only walk short distances, like 25 yds. And it takes her a long time, all the while being steadied by someone or her walker. Many times we use a wheelchair for her. My family has one of the tags in order to facilitate helping her to move around and go to church.

I can't imagine how low a person must be to use it otherwise. The law is a bad one, even though it makes it more convenient for some people.

[Atlas Sneezed]

It should be a crime for anyone who is able to browse through the aisles of WalMart without wheelchair, crutches or a walker, to use a disabled parking spot. Anyone witnessed walking capably without assistance within the store, or back to their car, should be punished.

[jjm2111]

I can't imagine how low a person must be to use it otherwise.

Same here, dude. Same here.