Burlington Officer Appointed to State Task Force on Disability Placard Abuse

BURLINGTON, MA - A Burlington Police Officer is being recognized for his efforts to combat the abuse of disability placards with an appointment to a state task force.

William Trelegan, after leading the effort against placard abuse in Burlington, has joined the Massachusetts Disability Placard Abuse Task Force, according to a press release sent to Patch. The task force was created in 2013 to reduce the abuse of disibility placards on a statewide level.

Here are some of the most common forms of placard abuse:

• Parking in a handicap spot without a placard or handicap plate
• Using someone else’s disability placard or handicap plate
• Using an expired placard
• Using a placard or plate that was issued based on incorrect or outdated information
• Making a counterfeit placard or altering an existing one

“It is inexcusable to illegally use a handicap parking placard or plate,” Police Chief Michael Kent said in the press release. “You take away a spot for those who are most in need. This time of year, with the inclement weather, do not be tempted to park in spaces that you are not entitled to for convenience. We will be heavily enforcing these regulations.”

If you see someone abusing a disability placard you can call the Burlington police department or fill out an online form at the RMV.