AMERIQUE:


A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR: It is the unspoken statistic, but it is as real as anything to do with the lingering U.S. war efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. According to the military, 1,800 American servicemen have killed themselves since the initial invasion of Baghdad. That is in addition to the more than 4,000 who died in battle. This week, families of the soldiers who committed suicide asked President Barack Obama to change the government policy of not forwarding letters of appreciation to mothers and fathers of these servicemen. By week's end, the White House had reversed the policy and agreed that such letters are needed, as well... - Eduardo Paz-Martinez, Editor of The Tribune

Monday, January 31, 2011

In The World Of Disabled Texans, A Time For Cracking Down On Parking Abusers...

By PATRICK ALCATRAZ
Editor

AUSTIN, Texas - Beginning tomorrow morning, anyone pulling into a public parking spot designated for the disabled better be disabled. Long a joke to most people who need these spaces, officials here have decided the laugh will now have a new punchline: a $511 fine.

On top of that, Austin is making it a criminal offense.

Until now, those ticketed for violating the law were allowed to merely pay a $278 fine and be done with it. But critics of the old law enforcement practice charged that the police department never made the law a priority, that its officers rarely busted anyone not disabled. That will change today, says Mayor Lee Leffingwell.

The law applies equally to anyone driving or riding a car or motorcycle or bicycle.

In communities elsewhere in Texas, the fine for parking in slots for the disabled can dip to as low as $100 for violators. Many communities do not assign officers the specific duty of eyeballing disabled parking spaces. Additionally, this city will also target those who use fake disabled parking stickers, also making it a criminal offense subject to the hefty fine. Those fines, say officials here, will escalate for second or third offenses, with community service also being an option for judges handing out penalties.

For beginners, Austin says its officers will use the coming weeks to vigorously monitor disabled parking...

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22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Happens all the time here. Gordos y gordas parking where they're not supposed to park. Idiots!

Anonymous said...

Harlingen cops don't even bother with this parking stuff. heck, they abuse it. Good article.

Anonymous said...

if only people would be considerate. the disabled need these spaces. Duh.

Anonymous said...

That law is never enforced here. poor disabled people. I always make a face at the people i see taking those spots. I know they are healthy.

Anonymous said...

I agree. The disadbled gave no chance against the idiots. I see it all the time at walmart. Healthy people jumping out of SUV vehicles after they take a space like that.

Anonymous said...

I know people who have fake disabled stickers. They printed them off the internet. Morons.

Anonymous said...

I say, have the cars towed away, and them issue a citation.
In Harlingen, they had $10.000.000 dollars of uncollected fines. Then they passed an ordinance of towing cars away who had no insurance. But the cops felt sorry for the people and allowed them to go their merry way, and never towed a car away.
Mr. Editor, sounds like a feel good ordinance. I hope it works, up in the hill country.

Anonymous said...

John Voigt was kind of young back then, as was Dustin Hoffman. Good history lesson on movie actors. I saw that movie when I was in high school, brought back good memories.

Anonymous said...

Egypt is falling. Mubarak is gone. about time, I say. Adios, dictator.

Anonymous said...

Another example of how some people just go around doing bad. taking a parking space from the crippled is so wrong!

Anonymous said...

The only way, for some people to learn is by confiscating the vehicles. Some of these lawbreakers deserve no mercy.
If they want to be treated like criminals, than so be it. Screwed up people that have no feelings for anyone else, but themselves.

Anonymous said...

Patrick, Barry McQuire wrote a song called the eve of destruction. I would like to make a request. The conversation at the coffee shop this morning was about the middle East. Hosni Mubarak, has to come to terms and leave Egypt.
By the way, it was at Mi Rancho, in Harlingen, the food was really good. Hey, you guys are posting great articles, keep up the good work, and enjoy the sights, the pictures are really good.

Anonymous said...

A fine of $1,000 would be nice. These lawbrrakers have no heart. Disabled people need a break.

Anonymous said...

Good music appropriate for currrent global problems, to think that song was written in the 1960's. Well things haven't change in almost 50 years we are still fighting with one another.

Anonymous said...

Old old song. I was in the military back then. Good to hear it again. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

This song by Barry McGuire and Creedence Clearwater Revival helped me make it while I was in Nam. Great tunes. Many memories. thanks.

Anonymous said...

We are in the Eve of Destruction, the song writer hit it, right in the nail. Typical America, problems, problems all day long. Good protest music.

Anonymous said...

Confession from me. I parked in a disabled spot this past weekend, but I felt like Hell while i was in the store. Made mefeel stupid. Good story. Hope everybody leaves those places for people who need them.

Anonymous said...

My song back then was InnaGaddaDaVida. That song and a few beers saved me from suicide in Vietnam...still can hear it clearly.

Anonymous said...

Anon, don't feel guilty, just don't do it again. I couldn't imagine being disabled, and then having to walk.
Great song, I was in the military when, Credence Clear Water, The Buffalo Springfield, crosby still, nash and young, Barry McGuire, and Scott Mckinsey were pumping out protest songs.
That is so through, it was good music that kepted some of us sane.

Anonymous said...

Annon, who played innaGaddavida, was that the Iron butterfly. Just wondering.

Anonymous said...

At the way things are going, we might end up, as the song says. Destroying ourselfs