Because you asked
By Bobbi Mlynar
Originally published 01:09 p.m., February 21, 2008
Updated 01:09 p.m., February 21, 2008
Q A downtown employee parks every day in a handicap parking space on Commercial Street. I’m handicapped, too, and would like to park there. It is like the employee owns the parking space.
A Parking spaces for people with the proper handicapped parking permits are not treated like standard parking spaces, and length of time parked in such a space is not an issue, up to 24 hours.
City Attorney Blaise Plummer provided this information:
“Under the 2007 Standard Traffic Ordinances, Section 87(b)(2) a motor vehicle bearing a special license or issued a handicapped parking placard may be parked in a handicapped parking space for a period of time not to exceed 24 hours in any parking zone which is restricted as to the length of time unless parking is prohibited to all vehicles.
“In addition, such vehicle is exempt from any parking meter fees of the state or any city.”
Hillbilly (anonymous) says...
Doesn't the vehicle that parks in a handicapped parking spot HAVE to be either driven by or a passenger whom the handicapped plate or placard was issued?
Doesn't the owner of the plate or placard also have to have on his or her possession a card issued by the state of Kansas showing that the tag or placard was ACTUALLY issued to the person whose name is on the card?
I realize that buses would be exempt.
How many placards are stolen just so that people can park closer to stores? Do the police actually ever check the placard numbers to who might be using the card illegally
February 21, 2008 at 7:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justaflushaway (anonymous) says...
I was at Walmart a few weeks back and watched as 3 young teenage boys got out of a car with a handy capped placard in the window that they had parked in a handicapped zone. All 3 where having a time of their life laughing, throwing their hand signs to others as they walked with the I'M BAD look. I would say that none of them probably had permission to use the placard to park in the handicapped zone. They no douth took a spot that kept a honest handicapped person for parking closer to the store.
I also wonder if those placards are ever checked by anyone, maybe the new police chief could answer some more questions concerning this issue.
February 22, 2008 at 8:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kelly (anonymous) says...
My dad is in a wheelchair, and anytime he comes to town to visit me he has the hardest problem finding spots to park. Even in the city he is from he has a lot of problems. There is NO ONE that checks them. I know my dad has called the police before about cars that are parked in the spots without permits and nothing is done ever and he has been told they wont do anything (not just emporia). Yes family members take the car with permits/plates and think that just because they car has it they have a right to park there. Well they don't. I know a few months back my daughter and I were at wall mart and this young healthy looking was loading all of this heavy things into his car with no one else there and you know it was not his permit. Well my daughter being 4 looked at me than looked at this guy and said very loud, you are not to be parked there. You are not handicapped. The look on the guys face was price less. But yes this is a huge problem. Park of the blame needs to be put on the Dr's they issue them to anyone anymore.
February 22, 2008 at 10:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Renegade (anonymous) says...
I admit, I was constantly irritated by all the Handicapped parking spaces when I went to Wal Mart, and I had to park further away than I wanted.
THEN, my husband was injured, and on crutches for 6 weeks over Christmas. He didn't ask for a handicapped permit, and we didn't use the parking for him.
I started paying attention though, to the number of people that parked in the handicapped spaces, without any proof on their vehicle they needed to be there.
I honestly thought of parking there a couple of times, just because he was on crutches, but I felt guilty, because we didn't have any proof.
I am still irritated by the handicapped parking spots though...
They get all the best spots. Maybe if they were just assigned parking spots further away from the front doors, it wouldn't be such a problem. (just joking, of course).
February 22, 2008 at 12:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
roger (anonymous) says...
It bothers me when handicapped people park in our parking spots when handicapped parking is available.
February 22, 2008 at 2:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TP (anonymous) says...
I have a family member that doesn't always appear handicapped but has MS and has a handicapped placard. Maybe these people you see at wal-mart are just having good days and are not crippled over on the days you see them. I do love that obesity is now a reason to be able to have a handicapped placard. Instead of increasing their exercise we are giving people shortcuts into stores.
July 9, 2009 at 8:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
My Grandfather had a hip that was frozen in one position(long before joint replacement became an option)which forced him to walk with crutches because that leg was virtually useless. He had a bad heart condition, his monster sized pace maker was visible thru the skin on the left side of his chest. His doctors suggested he apply for handicapped parking status to ease his burden. He told the doctors he wasn't dead. He confront people that obviously didn't need the parking privelege as described above in the other posts how digusted he was with them for being lazy and taking advantage of a system that was intended for people who really needed it. He was a hardworking proud man that didn't let his physical disfunctions stop him. Everytime I see someone park in the handicap stalls, pull their placard out of the glovebox and put it on the mirror, then jump out and run into the store obviously not being physically handicapped, I smile to myself and wish he was still here to issue them an attitude adjustment.
July 9, 2009 at 9:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
giggles (anonymous) says...
It sounds like your Grandfather had too much pride for his own good. I wonder if he'd have lived longer if he hadn't strained himself all those years... Something to think about the next time you're missing him.
You have definately stepped over the line here crack. How is someone wanting to live out their life with some pride and dignity wrong? He wanted to because he was capable. People are supposed to stop doing things they are capable of still doing because they MIGHT live longer.
"...for his own good." What was good for him crack, since you claim to be some expert here, or at least enough to make such a comment. I guess he was supposed to quit what he was capable of for the sake of longevity.
July 10, 2009 at 10:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqz1oj...
July 10, 2009 at 1:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
Don't bother giggles, crack only sees things from her point of view, and likes to stir things up before she goes home for the weekend from her M-F government job.
My Grandfather lived to be over 90, he didn't need pampering to live a long and full life. He lived life, he didn't strain himself.
The people I was referring to, are the ones obviously using the placard out of convience, not necessity, which I would be willing to bet is 95% that have them.
July 10, 2009 at 5:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
You want to know what's kinda messed up? I excersize 5-6 days a week and ride my bicycle to work(1 mile one way) when the weather is warm enough(rain doesn't bother me), I don't appear to be fat but the BMI charts say that I'm obese. That's messed up. I hope the government sends me a check pronto for my mental anguish.
July 10, 2009 at 8:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Some people have respiratory problems from allergies or recent heart surgery or having smoked for 30 years -- the first stage of lunacy. Then they can't walk very far without experiencing breathing problems. They look normal, and even walk fairly normal. Handicapped placards are helpful for them. Not everyone who is handicapped walks with a limp or drags one foot or any of those things. Be nice!
July 11, 2009 at 1:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
I look normal and walk fairly normal(except cooler) but people that know me know better.
July 11, 2009 at 1:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )