Are you a handicapped driver in California? (DMV, gated)

[CALGUY]

Originally Posted by david91722

David Goldstein of KCBS-TV just did an investigation into the matter.

CBS2 Investigation: Scammers Caught Selling Disabled Parking Placards « CBS Los Angeles

That is what prompted me to start this thread, since my placard was stolen about a week ago.

Bob.

[MItoBH]

Originally Posted by CALGUY

Before posting this in the Los Angeles forum, I searched for a forum dealing with the entire state, but saw none.
The California forum is broken up into sub forums for different areas of the state.

As the heading ask, are you a handicapped driver in California?
If so, I just want to give you a head's up about you handicap placard hanging on your rear view mirror.
Last week, I was at the Westfield shopping center near Santa Anita.
I wasn't in the store more than 10 minutes, and when I returned to my car, the security guard was giving me a ticket for parking in a handicap spot without a placard.

One look and it was obvious , because of the crooked mirror, that someone stole the placard.
I had the registration slip for the placard, so the security guard voided the ticket.
He stated he has seen a rise in placard theft in that shopping center.
It had never entered my mind that my placard could, or would be sold for cash to someone wanting to park free all the time.

Well my eyes were opened today while watching the noon new on KCAL 9 today.
Seems there is a demand for stolen placards on the black market, and crooks are making big bucks selling them.(some as much as $300.00 per placard)

Today I emailed both my reps in the state legislature, and asked them to look into the phasing out of the plastic placard, and adopt a sticker that could be affixed to the inside of the windshield, similar to state vehicle inspection stickers some states issue.
Presently Ca issues licence plates with a handicap insignia embossed on the plate, but I would guess they are being stolen as well.
If you have one of these plastic placard hanging from your mirror, best to contact your state reps and get the law changed.
Fortunately the top was down on my car, so there was no damage.

Others are not so lucky.
Windows have been smashed to gain access to the placard.

A sticker glued to the windshield would take to much time to remove, and would probably be worthless once removed.
Please don't be complacent about this, It COULD happen to you.

Bob.

Ok, maybe this is a stupid question coming from a non-handicapped person. But why would someone want to steal a damn handicapped placard? If you're handicapped, can't you just get one easily?

[TurcoLoco]

Originally Posted by MItoBH

Ok, maybe this is a stupid question coming from a non-handicapped person. But why would someone want to steal a damn handicapped placard? If you're handicapped, can't you just get one easily?

Watch the video in that link and you will understand!

[david91722]

Originally Posted by MItoBH

Ok, maybe this is a stupid question coming from a non-handicapped person. But why would someone want to steal a damn handicapped placard? If you're handicapped, can't you just get one easily?

You're assuming only handicapped people use the placard. There are many non-handicapped people who use the placard to illegally park in handicapped parking spaces. The placard thieves illegally sell them to able-bodied people.

[Sydney123]

Originally Posted by MItoBH

Ok, maybe this is a stupid question coming from a non-handicapped person. But why would someone want to steal a damn handicapped placard? If you're handicapped, can't you just get one easily?

Not stupid. Just think.... You can use your stolen handicapped placard to park in the handicapped space in front of the bank you're going to rob. Those spaces are right by the front door... No crook is going to want to spend their loot from the robbery to pay a fine for unauthorized parking in a handicapped space . Those fines are horrible!

[MItoBH]

When I first posted my question, I was at work and couldn't watch the video.

Since I don't have a criminal mind, I was naive in wondering why people want to steal and dang handicapped placard. Now I know. Apparently this isn't an issue in Michigan. :/

[TurcoLoco]

Originally Posted by MItoBH

When I first posted my question, I was at work and couldn't watch the video.

Since I don't have a criminal mind, I was naive in wondering why people want to steal and dang handicapped placard. Now I know. Apparently this isn't an issue in Michigan. :/

Well, that was a lame statement. I could very easily think of the reasons before watching the video. I thought I had common sense or, at least, had a good imagination but according to you, I, instead have a criminal mind!

Who knew!

[MItoBH]

Originally Posted by TurcoLoco

Well, that was a lame statement. I could very easily think of the reasons before watching the video. I thought I had common sense or, at least, had a good imagination but according to you, I, instead have a criminal mind!

Who knew!

[Mr_Geek]

I propose a fingerprint scanner at each handicap parking spot in the country. Those with handicap access need to input their print when they park. If the print doesn't match or isn't a handicap approved print then spikes drive up into the tires.

[CA4Now]

Originally Posted by Mr_Geek

I propose a fingerprint scanner at each handicap parking spot in the country. Those with handicap access need to input their print when they park. If the print doesn't match...

Right. And what of the temporarily handicapped? Those who have broken a limb, undergone a debilitating surgery, have side effects from cancer treatment, etc....who need the handicapped placard for only a specific amount of time?