Sneak Attack on the Handicapped

(initially written pand ublished for Valley News group 3/21/2012)

About a month ago, my wife, Angela returned from Costco (Canoga Park) very upset. That is surprising because a Costco trip usually evokes comfortable feelings for having spent the customary “few hundred dollars” on the necessities of present-day life --food, clothing and a flat screen TV. Her anger had nothing to do with the purchase of our “modern-day plunder” or the consistent customer service and price savings that Costco offers.

She was the recipient of a $353 parking ticket. Yikes!!  That is very excessive… what could possibly be her infraction? She must have parked in a red zone with the engine running, the lights on and the horn blaring? No! She must have taken up multiple parking spots – maybe parking horizontally? No again!  Oh she must have parked in a Handicapped spot? You’re getting warm! She did – but she IS handicapped and has had a placard since being diagnosed with MS over 15 years ago.

The ticket was in violation of section VC 22507.8C2 which states:

Parking in Spaces for the Disabled

(1) On the lines marking the boundaries of a parking stall or space designated for disabled persons or disabled veterans.

(2) In any area of the pavement adjacent to a parking stall or space designated for disabled persons or disabled veterans that is marked by crosshatched lines and is thereby designated, pursuant to any local ordinance, for the loading and unloading of vehicles parked in the stall or space.

In the comments section of the ticket were the words “100 pct on cross marks-- no activity/unattended”

You have to know Angela.  She worked in the auto insurance claims business most of her adult life and can almost quote the vehicle code from memory.  She has fought moving violations multiple times and won.  She would never park on the cross marks let alone “100%”.  That is where the rub comes in. 

There happens to be an officer named K Brooks who has been assigned to the Costco parking lot and is beginning to “make her bones” by targeting the handicap/disabled parking section and unleashing parking violations for any vehicle that merely touches any blue line. 

How do I know this? When I called City councilman Dennis Zine’s office to ask for help I was quickly connected to Jessica Forkish, who was familiar with the situation and has been handling the “issue” with at least a half –dozen other recipients. Hmmm! Do I detect a pattern here? You bet! Jessica explained that they were quite aware of the situation and they have notified Costco as well as the City of Los Angeles Parking Enforcement of an overzealous officer – the same K Brooks (a female).  Costco has actually constructed signs at each handicap space warning all disabled drivers to park in such a way that no part of a vehicles tires are “on any part of the line” to avoid attracting the “evil eye” (my words) of Ms. Brooks.  Who, just for good measure, takes pictures of all vehicles that are in violation?  Jessica admitted that she has also called Brooks supervisor, Lt. Sylvia Vasquez of Parking Enforcement to attempt to reason with her fanatical underling. Maybe the Lieutenant could try giving her rogue officer an “order” to cease and desist.

Angela visited Costco and spoke with Rudy, the Supervising Manager; he confirmed the problem along with the fact that the store had indeed placed signs (at every space) at their own expense to warn its disabled patrons of the risk imperfect parking would cause to their pocketbook.  Rudy also divulged that management was put on notice by Costco security when “Our Miss Brooks” was “on the premises” (I guess to observe her ticket writing prowess).  My wife did observe the signs and even prompted a “would-be offender” to read it before they entered Costco... which of course motivated the driver to limp back and “re-park” the vehicle.  Nothing like making it easy for the lame among us… when the lame-brained are on the loose.

In the meantime, Angela has called and spoken to Lt. Vasquez, who informed my wife that the ticket was indeed “legal” but she should fight it.  Angela also spoke with two other nice citizens, Israel Ruiz and Rene ______ who both did just that (fight) by requesting a hearing and both won.  And because both Israel and Rene could prove hardship, they didn’t have to put out the small fortune ($353) first. We will have no such luck. Our check is in the mail for the excessive amount while we request that hearing (which will be in early May). And we will fight it tooth and nail.

Well maybe justice will prevail and “Our Miss Brooks” has been reigned in. Not so fast!! In a recent visit just last week to Costco, Angela met up with another victim of the Parking Gestapo. The man was just frustrated and shocked that he could receive a ticket for this minor infraction. He was resigned to pay it until my wife coaxed him to also request a hearing. The Beat goes on – and on and on… Many, I’m sure are just resigned to pay it rather than take the time and energy to fight. What a shame!

Our misery would love more company… If enough $353 parking tickets in handicap zones are handed out, it will create a huge backlash and could actually stop this madness. You think the recent crowds in Egypt and Wisconsin were raucous and committed to a mission. Wait ‘till you awaken the sleeping giant of West Valley disabled residents with unjust and exorbitant parking tickets.  Maybe we should take to the streets.

Seriously folks, does the City of LA think they found a valid source of much needed revenue –on the backs of the disabled community? This is outrageous! Isn’t it difficult enough for these citizens (my wife included) to maneuver around in parking lots without having to look with laser precision if their car violates the ‘thin blue line”.  The City and its Parking Gestapo may be correct and within the “letter of the law” and we may have to fork over the massive fine for patronizing our local retail establishments. But do we really want a community subjected to this blatant abuse of power that is costing people an oppressive fine in these difficult economic times?

I think not! Is it the “letter of the law” or the “spirit of the law” that administers in a positive way to the public at large? Do traffic cops give tickets to people driving 41 miles per hour in a 40 mile per hour zone? They could I guess but that is not what the spirit of the law implies.

Voltaire had it right when he, from another era mind you, aptly stated a plight that still inflicts us today…  “Common sense is not so common”. Lighten up, Lt. Vasquez and K Brooks. Aren’t there some parking meters out there worth checking instead?