Zine Helps Crack Down on Disabled Placard Parking Abuse

Councilman Dennis P. Zine participated in a Disabled Person Parking Placard Enforcement Operation recently with Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Investigators, Los Angeles Parking Enforcement Officers, Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) Investigators, and Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Reserve Officers. The enforcement efforts were focused in and around problematic areas in Toy Town, the Garment District, and the Downtown Civic Center. The mission of the task force was to conduct compliance checks and confirm that all applicable Disabled Person Parking Placard statutes were being adhered to by the general public.

As a convenience for the disabled, parking laws allow an individual with a State-issued placard to park for free at street metered parking spaces for an unlimited amount of time during permitted hours. Unfortunately, this has served as an incentive for individuals without ambulatory disabilities to illegally obtain and use disabled parking placards for the convenience of free parking. The task force concentrated on citing violators who inappropriately use disabled placards to park in business areas with metered parking.

Results of the Enforcement Operation:
A total of 14 citations were issued and 13 placards were confiscated:

• 12 citations were issued for violation of CVC 4461(c) –Improper use of disabled person parking placard. Two of the citations include a violation of CVC 12500(a) –Unlicensed driver.
• One citation for violation of CVC 22511.56 –No proof of disabled placard issuance.
• One citation for violation of CVC 16028(c) –No evidence of insurance.

The illegal use of disabled placards reduces the number of parking spaces for legitimate public parking purposes and limits access for the truly disabled. Additional traffic congestion is created as the driving public search for available parking. There is also a loss of revenue to the City for transportation needs and other services.

"Parking is a daily challenge for most Angelenos," said Councilman Dennis P. Zine, Reserve LAPD Officer and Member of the Public Safety Committee. "Fraudulent use of disabled placards is one of the worst kinds of abuse because it impacts access for the legitimate disabled placard users, inconveniences the general public, harms businesses, and robs the City coffers. I will continue to engage in these enforcement operations to put the motoring public on notice that this abuse will not be tolerated."

This is the third enforcement operation that Councilman Zine has participated in. This task force was part of ongoing enforcement efforts that take place throughout the City in areas where LADOT has reported this to be a problem. On the legislative front, Councilman Zine introduced a motion that requests LADOT to report their recommendations to changes in State and local law to reduce this type of violation and enhance enforcement capabilities. The motion is pending in the Transportation Committee.