The Downey Patriot

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Enforcing handicapped parking

Dear Editor:In reading the letters about handicapped parking, I believe the main issue was overlooked. No answer to the issue was given. The blame was put on everyone involved. My answer: as in Los Angeles and other cities, the city's parking enforcement department has a special unit used for handicapped parking violations. Downey would not have to create a unit dedicated to this issue because we already have one. After Downey's parking enforcement department is done with citing illegal street sweeping parking, their priority can be patrolling all city-owned parking lots. Private parking lots may be another issue but federal handicap parking laws apply to them also. This action would free Downey police to respond to more serious calls. Illegal parking is considered a low priority in mostly all police departments. I believe this would reduce illegal handicap parking, freeing the spaces for handicapped seniors, the medically handicapped and handicapped veterans. It would also create much-needed revenue for the city of Downey. Vince Diaz Downey

********** Published: December 20, 2012 - Volume 11 - Issue 36