Dedham Police Ramp Up Handicap Parking Enforcement

From the Dedham Police Department:

During the month of December, members of the Dedham Police Department focused efforts on monitoring Handicap Parking throughout the Town.

Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90 s 2 and 540 CMR 17.00 govern the issuance and use of disability plates and placards, which carry certain parking privileges under the laws of the Commonwealth. Such disability plates and placards are issued by the Registry of Motor Vehicles. All parking lots are generally required to have accessible parking spaces for customer, visitor or employee vehicles which have proper plates or placards. The size, location and signage for such parking spaces are also regulated.

During December, Dedham Police Officers documented 140 parking checks to ensure proper usage of Handicap Parking spaces. This focused effort resulted in officers issuing 42 parking tickets for Handicap Parking violations. Such violations carry a fine of $100 in Dedham. Further, officers discovered a significant issue involving the mis-use of Handicap Parking Placards. Officers issued 12 citations for the mis-use of placards. Issues such as parking in a Handicap Parking space with an expired placard and using a placard issued to another person were discovered. The mis-use of a placard can result in significant consequences for the holder of the placard and/or the person mis-using the placard. The Registrar may, after a hearing, suspend or revoke the placard depending on the circumstances. The wrongful displaying of a placard could result in a civil fine and license suspension for the person involved in such behavior.

Officers will continue to monitor Handicap Parking spaces for violations in order to ensure such spaces are available for those that need them and have the proper plate or placard.

Image: File photo