Do You Ever Wish You Could Fly? - community groups aiding police department - Brief Article - Editorial

Handicap accessible parking! As we all know, the threat of a fine of up to $200 doesn't deter people from using these parking spaces. Could it be because it seems only to be a threat and not something that will be enforced?

I fully understand, in this day and age, that the police departments are very busy trying to round up the latest gang or drug dealer and these types of thing are a bigger priority as they can affect the entire community. BUT -- why, then, aren't the police departments developing more "volunteer vigilante" groups that look for one specific violation -- illegal use of a handicap parking space? We have such a group in Bloomington, and I have heard of many others across the country.

Do you want to learn about starting a group in your community? Many cities already have local ordinances in place to govern such activities. Your city may have, and they just aren't doing anything about it. To inquire about getting a group started (or joining an existing group), contact your local police department and speak with the head of Public Affairs or the head of the Traffic Division. You would be surprised how many people (disabled AND able-bodied) would support this and even volunteer to help enforce the parking laws.

I suppose, if all else fails, we could always resort to the example below! Oh, how I wish we could. Do you know how to fly a helicopter?

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Julie Cheever

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