Handicap Crackdown: Drivers Busted for Using Fake Placards in Harford

BEL AIR, MD — Harford County officials are asking citizens to consider the needs of the disabled when selecting their parking spots while out holiday shopping.

During a recent enforcement initiative, deputies found that more than a dozen people were using fake placards to park in handicap spots, according to the Harford County Sheriff's Office.

In the first two hours, officials said they found nine drivers using fake placards.

Overall, there were 19 fraudulent placards seized and six citations issued as a result of the patrol, which took place Thursday, Dec. 8, officials said.

The detail centered around Abingdon Wegmans, Constant Friendship Target, Constant Friendship Walmart and Fallston Walmart, according to Harford County Sheriff's Office spokesman Kyle Andersen.

Officials remind citizens that it is not a luxury for a person with disabilities to park in a designated spot.

“Sometimes parking in an accessible parking space is the only way that people with disabilities are able to access the community," Harford County Disability Coordinator Rachel Harbin said. "...so please 'respect the space' and only park in handicap parking spaces if you are qualified to do so.”

According to the sheriff's office, many times people who are disabled cannot find parking spots when they need them, because others who are not actually disabled have taken them for the sake of their own convenience.

"During the holiday season, we are all busy and looking for a shortcut to get things done and make life easier," Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler said. "Don’t let one of those shortcuts be parking in a handicap parking space. If you don’t need it, leave it.”

In their recent placard patrol, deputies were joined by personnel from Harford County and the Motor Vehicle Administration to check whether people parked in handicapped spots had the proper documentation.

Results from Dec. 8 handicap placard detail, according to the sheriff's office:

• 19 placards seized for fraudulent use; penalty: $140 fine.
• 6 citations for no placard; penalty: $120 fine.

Get more information about driving with disabilities from the Motor Vehicle Administration.

Photo via Flickr Commons, Luke Jones.