I-Team: Drivers Cheat The System, Misuse Handicap Placards To Park For Free In Boston

The WBZ I-Team repeatedly observed how some drivers are using someone else’s handicap placard to park for free at meters all day. WBZ-TV's Ryan Kath reports.

[@erehwon9371]

The police should contact the motor vehicle department to have the vehicle tags revoked when using someone else’s disability permit, along with confiscation of the disabled permit.

[@aaronramirez2610]

Wrong!

[@StillYHWHs]

Some take them without permission, Also stealing them. Few allow it.

[@Richard-nd7qe]

2 years ago I crushed my spine and I now can only walk a short distance and only with a walker. When I go to any of the box stores all the handicapped spots are full and I'm forced to wait till one is available. The cars do not have a handicapped plate or a windshield sticker on them and if you wait till the owner returns it is usually a young woman who is driving the car. This is a real problem where I live and I never see any enforcement of this problem. When I finally make it into the Walmart they have NO handicapped scooters and a lot of them are taken by people who are so fat that they don't want to walk so they use the handicapped scooters and I'm forced to wait till a scooter is available. This problem is so bad that I stopped going to town I pay to have items delivered to my home so the young healthy people can park in the handicapped spots. I hope these people are proud of themselves.

[@aaronramirez2610]

I'm sure they are.

[@UpnorthHere]

It's not just a parking violation. It’s a criminal fraud. Impound the evidence. Arrest record. Criminal conviction. Loss of placard. Start there.

[@aaronramirez2610]

Nope try again!

[@jasoncrandall73]

Change the law. Allow parking enforcement officers to issue handicap parking violations & with the increase in fines allocate more $$ to hire needed enforcement officers.

[@daveoverton4319]

Still too easy. Make the second offense on an offender's license a confiscation of the vehicle. Can't illegally park a car they don't have any more! ( but just for parking in a handicapped spot. )

[@paulwhite9275]

Yes, yes, yes

[@erehwon9371]

Also revoke the vehicle tags

[@rascallyrabbit717]

Legend has it that suv is parked there to this day

[@coult45usmc]

0:26 LMAO! Whenever someone responds with "Who me?" You know they're guilty. Nothing else needs to be said at that point.

[@barkbarkbarkbarkable]

Raise the fine to $5000.....problem over !

[@kayak_1]

It might be better to just take the car.

[@farscape319]

barkbarkbarkbarkable at home depot i see a lot cars with no handicap placer i had a bad hipe

[@shizuehicks7442]

barkbarkbarkbarkable Yes, raise the fine. AND, yank their license for a year or as James Kates says above, “Just take the car.”

[@crucisnh]

It doesn't do any good to raise the fine if the police don't bother to enforce these violations.

[@bleedleaks]

+cruc, few do its true

[@gordy7877]

"Look at this in further detail" = we will do nothing at a special committee while eating a free lunch or dinner on the taxpayers dime.

[@burnhamben1]

A photo of the person should be on the placard, like that on the driver's incense.

[@darkeststar3640]

Great idea to have picture on placards and if the person isn't in the car, major fine, confiscate and tow.

[@rcladygreywolf6567]

It is on Massachusetts placards. If you don't have a license, they use your state ID photo.

[@joseochoa7043]

rcladygreywolf They do it here in New Mexico as well. I think that’s helped with the abuse.

[@markhodski8828]

Same in South Carolina. You must have the handicap person picture on the placard.

[@Misfit636]

STFU

[@R.a.t.t.y]

There's no point in having a law if it's not enforced. Parking is just a fine for honest people.

[@supercooled]

Well said.

[@darrylbradley4690]

Placard abuse? Pass a law to seize the car.

[@howardlangford8087]

I think they should lose their driver's license for 6 months, no matter if it's their first-timer.

[@mickeyshea8013]

I go to Roche Bros. in West Roxbury and see cheaters and police don't care, i have a placard and at times i can't use is because of that, props to the system

[@roygould408]

Suspend there drivers license for a year take the tag away heavy fine see what happens

[@TheTheotherfoot]

Give the enforement agency the right to impound the vehicle and make the vehicle owner prove they have the right to the handicap placard or face a heavy fine and loss of the placard. The placard holder should be barred from a new one because they allowed their placard to be used by someone who is not entitled to do so.

[@pegLegPlowGuy]

The problem is those of us in a wheelchair can't always get to the meter. If there is snow or the sidewalk ramp is on a corner it's difficult or impossible to get close enough to pay. Make the penalty expensive and enforce it and abuse will drop.

[@wadewaldron695]

When I lived in Southern California my stepdad (died sometime in the 2000's) had a Plackard. You not disabled could use the plackard to drop off or pick up the disabled person. BUT if caught NOT dropping off or picking up the plackard owner you got a 250 dollar ticket 1st offence. 2nd offence the plackard was confiscated and vehicle towed. Bring this back to California and other States and the abuse should stop.

[@jeremyness2395]

I absolutely loved it when he said "ya" without any hesitation immediately when the reporter said it belongs to a woman. Hes like ya my uncle identifies as a woman so I call her unks

[@pegLegPlowGuy]

It's tough enough to get out in traffic when in a wheelchair. But when you can't reach some of the meters it's crazy. You would have to get a ticket or look for someone to feed the meter for you.

[@hollybiegel4345]

I’m handicap. I think everyone should pay. I never knew you could park for fee until I watched this. People are so disrespectful! Sad

[@paulmentzer7658]

It carts by state, my state of Pennsylvania NEVER permitted the handicap to park for free, we have to plug the meters.

[@MatthewFordVictoria]

Should issue EVERY VEHICLE a Ticket, then if the driver can prove they have a valid disability, the charges will be dropped. But if the owner of the Permit is someone who no longer exists, not only will they have to pay, but also have their license taken away for 30 days. Then people might get the message!

[@vi_EviL_iv]

Mandatory jail time for 1 week and a 5,000 fine, pay back all fees and mandatory Caltrans of 30 days. Also this has been going on for many many many years. The same can be said about people altering license plates to take off the reflective to avoid camera tickets and more.

[@francisvilbig]

Using someone else’s handicap parking 🅿️ sticker I see it as a identity theft impersonating as someone else should be federal law an government law as well

[@jpharleyd9325]

In my travels I encountered numerous cities that afforded me free parking in municipal lots. I was surprised, as my city doesn't do that. I'm more than happy to pay my fair share, I don't see why it should be free. I just hate to see cheaters abuse the system.

[@Naivedo]

Disabled people have a 91% unemployment rate, that's one of the reasons parking is free for us.

[@guitarsrcool4922]

That's messed up. Now people who have a legit placard have to pay at parking meters just because of some selfish jerks. They should double fines and enforce the laws. City would make a substantial amount of money if they would impose the fines.

[@guitarsrcool4922]

@RickFlanagan yeah I forgot about that. The only time I see meters Is downtown and I seldom go there. Probably once a year. Thanks for the reminder.

[@SuperTregs]

Did you call the police or parking enforcement?

[@lindamastropietro4429]

I have, but they don’t show up.

[@watchcity2068]

YES. The Very Special Arts office in downtown Boston. (It has since moved to tim buck two) but I was there hanging a show one day for several hours. The HP spot in front of the office was occupied by a big ole ass pick up truck. Later in the afternoon, I see a construction worked come, get into the truck and drive off.

[@thekingtroll2]

I've got a disability placard. NO WAY should anyone be allowed to have "free all day parking". If you are disabled you are supposed to have trouble walking more than 100 feet without assistance. On a good day, I have oxygen and a rollator and I can walk without using my placard. I just park in an open spot so that someone worse off than me can have the disabled spot. On a BAD day, I use the placard and try and get in and out as quickly as possible to free it up for someone else. NO ONE needs to park free all day long. If paying regular drivers have to feed the meter every two hours, it's not fair that the placards get all day long for free. Who would need that anyway? In Ohio, I see people with disability placards park in a disabled spot. They do NOT get out of their car. Then they have a couple of teenagers run in the store and get some stuff and come back. That driver should get a ticket. The placard is for him. Not his to use to he can park for his grandkids to get in and out fast. I don't care who it is. Wives, husbands, cousins, kids, neighbors. I see it all the time. A disabled person takes the spot then stays in his/her vehicle while others run into the store. That's abuse.

[@rcladygreywolf6567]

I also have a disability placard and like you I walk on a good day.

[@SarahKDB]

I used to work in a city and parked in the free handicapped parking (I have a placard, and yes, it's mine) "all day" when I would go to work. I love getting the free parking, it's amazing, and it's nice getting a perk when so many things suck about being disabled. I think these people are parking there to go to work and that's what they mean by "all day." Also, having someone who's handicapped like me, who gets much worse the more I walk, going back to the meter every 2 hours would be a nightmare and beyond the point of the spot.

[@CMV314]

I'm also disabled, and I disagree about your statement that no-one needs to park free all day. Who are you to tell other disabled people how long they can park for? There are people out there who have back to back appointments at the same clinic, and thus, need to park all day. You're just as bad as the people abusing the spots.

[@thekingtroll2]

@@CMV314 I think you missed the point of the article that these people are abusing the placards and using them "all day" every single day of the week when more than half of them don't even own those placards. NO one needs a placard all day long. Again, those placards are for those with a disablity. If you can park and walk 400 feet into work unassisted then you do NOT need a placard.

[@FirstLastOne]

I can't tell if you're telling the truth or if you're trolling...

[@jenniferparent9239]

Don't know if this happens but the placard should be taken away IMMEDIATELY!!

[@StillYHWHs]

A guy who worked on my car once stole my placard. I reported it. I went back and he said it was not mine and would not give it back. This was a business. Not sure how the police, registry dealt with it. They had all the info. I got new ones. I've been accused that I don't need it. Though I do most of the time. People have put dents in my roof, hood, trunk, scratches, I think God needs to let them see what is like. So they learn thier lessons. I've caught many in the act. I d i o t s !

[@eliotwilder1041]

I live in the Fenway, and if you walk down any street you'll see one construction worker vehicle after another with handicap placards. The city loses millions to this scam, but in the end there is no enforcement because developers are allowed to get away with just about anything they want. Because, you know, it's all about money.

[@mikerichardson60]

They need to remove the incentives for cheating and cancel free parking for disabled people. Disabled want to be treated like everyone else so why this financial benefit for just them? Obviously come down hard on the mall parking where it’s free for everyone too. The disabled do need the special spots with van access.

[@Tat2Dragons]

It’s not being done for a financial benefit for the disabled, some people with disabilities simply can’t access the meters and then having to return to feed the meters throughout the day can also be quite the hassle.

[@UpnorthHere]

@@Tat2Dragons feeding the meter again is fraud, or at least an overtime parking violation .

[@Tat2Dragons]

@@UpnorthHere You’re correct, I didn’t know that. Still to expect a person with a disability that has to be parked in a metered space for an extended period of time to have to return and move their vehicle to park elsewhere could certainly be quite difficult for some people with disabilities.

[@mmays7378]

And I'll bet nothing was ever done... 🙄

[@mortalKombat-m9h]

Boston has prices on their food items, but it’s just just the parking in a parking spot. That’s where the headache is.😂

[@kimberlyjocatone]

i dont understand why they can park fo free? they are handicapped not pennyless

[@kimberlyjocatone]

make them pay like everyone else

[@rarelibra]

two-tired seems to be the way to go... with the fine being $5,000 and punishment being 100 hours of community service... handicap be damned.

[@claudiavirginiaalarconbena7171]

Fine them and revoke them the Driver's license privileges for 5 years!

[@suerea3231]

Why would meters be free for the handicap? That doesn’t make any sense. Anyone can now report these people to HandicappedFraud.org They will send it to the proper states DMV. Just make sure you have the tag# date & time You can even send in a photo of the car. What a great idea!

[@alisadigout5617]

Most but not all handicap people are on a fixed income ,so any savings is greatly needed. Put the fines up and give the ticket people more enforcement powers please !!

[@Lawomenshoops]

People use placards of people who died. Any placard that is being used that is reported lost or stolen or the person has died, is a ticket and an automatic tow. Do it again and license and registration fees double! Why should people who do illegal things while driving pay the same license and registration fees as those people who follow the law?

[@yoelyancypompa-ramon3844]

put a picture on it

[@luvlyleo2836]

This is why I love curbside pick😉

[@todddoetken2594]

Blame law enforcement for not performing their duties.

[@maxheadroom8097]

They did away with that in Portland Oregon now they can only park for 2 hours

[@areufreemrhumphries]

Why not just have the construction company pay for its worker's parking?

[@narutokongyai751]

My uncle is a woman.

[@WallyTony]

Naruto KongYai. No judging LOL.

[@saxman7131]

That killed me.

[@CrisGarcia6]

Why is parking not free

[@deno4453]

Our inept government can't seem to fix the problem because there are no consequences for most of the people abusing the placards so now the government wants everyone to pay to park. It's not about compassion for the legitimate handicapped, it's about money. Raise the fine and enforce the law.

[@paulwhite9275]

Boot the cars and remove them at a very high price. If you get charged over a $1000.00 for illegal use of a handicapped placard and have to get your car out of impound you will probably stop doing it. If caught again double the fine

[@marysaade4343]

What do you expect when there’s no consequences 🤦🏼‍♀️

[@hoosierplowboy5299]

Just like the rest of the legal system in Boston, no enforcement, no accountability...

[@markmconie1305]

If they are using a unauthorized placket for disable if you are not authorized tow every single illegally parked vehicle and give them a $500.00 ticket every day they use it.

[@ww3586]

230 WHY DONT U GIVE ATHORITY TO THE PREOPLE TO CHECK FOR FAKE PLATERTS

[@unclequack5445]

Tow the car period and issue the heaviest fine possible take the placard and issue extra tickets for illegal park.

[@darkeststar3640]

Fine the crap out of them, take the placard, tow the car, and possibly fine the person allowing the use of placards.

[@brendalaprince1466]

Tow the car, and charge him $5,000.00 to get the car back.

[@magoolew5131]

How about $10K instead. They'll only do it once.

[@gra6649]

You want to stop this, start with a $1,000.00 fine., and 7 points of their license. Second offence within a year, $5,000.00 fine,, and they lose their car, and their license for 1 year.

[@thomastinkham1794]

People using someone else's placard or otherwise parking in a handicap spot should not be ticketed, they should be toed.....

[@pegLegPlowGuy]

Have you ever typed to get to a meter after a snowstorm? Sometimes just about impossible.

[@jadziadax5365]

tow the damn cars, permanently revoke handicap parking placard and a 15,000 dollar fine with three yrs minimum of prison time

[@howardlangford8087]

I don't live in Boston but I hate the people who do this. Not only does it take parking space from the handicap people such as myself. But it put the laws that gives the right to park in handicap parking in danger. Which people don't think about. If people keep stepping on the toes of a city government, long enough. Then the city is going to have to do something about it. So maybe they will say , if no one can follow the cities laws on parking, then everyone must pay. I wish there was something we could do about it. Even when I see it, and ask why are you parked in a handicap parking? When you are clearly not handicap. They just say what is it to you? I tell them it's my concerned because I am handicapped. But most of the time it's of no use. I believe that if you aren't handicap or have someone else in the automobile that is. And you get caught doing it, you should lose your driver's permit or license , for 6 months. No matter if it's your 1st time. Then and only then I believe people who are doing this will take a step back and think about it.

[@Frank-rx8ch]

Change the disable placard to one with a photo ID/barcoded placard for the disabled.

[@davidtrautman6482]

Stop the free parking to stop the abuse.

[@josephsmith6983]

It should be a $3,000 or $4,000 ticket and your vehicle gets towed and 30 days in jail

[@marysaade4343]

Make every one pay 🙏🏻just bc ur handicapped doesn’t mean u get free parking

[@carygraziano9956]

This is disgusting and they should pay huge penalties.

[@lawrenceforte5353]

They should have to renew them ever two years like a driver's license

[@shamrockfile]

Recently viewed a good solution, adding a photo I’d to the handicapped signs. Put up cameras that show the driver parking and make the info available to parking patrol. If they don’t match, $500.00 fine and immediate towing by the city. I bet that within a year they recover their investment in new tech.

[@rickuyeda4818]

I have a Handicap Placard and believe we should pay to park at metered parking.

[@junehorsburgh6433]

All disabled badges in UK have a photo on it of the person it is for

[@manelcosta4983]

It,s very. Easy to fix all problem. 1- a big fine. 2- take a disable Card 3- take awayyyy a driving license and they must to go to school again after 2 years from they are catch. 4- take a register for a scam disable card If nothing works send to prision and take 1, 2, 3 and 4. Everyone must to learn easy or badly and no mercy. Please put more trafficc officers on roads

[@jackwilbur9419]

Every town and state should increase the fine toa Minimum $2000. Educate these lowlifes

[@kevinwright2884]

3 hours only as in the UK

[@Spyder3thirty]

Take the placard away if it's not being used by the owner.

[@freddystpierre9106]

Make it so you have to scan your Drivers license or photo on the plc

[@larryengland8191]

Why not make a placard for Veterans.

[@chieunguyen5805]

Seems easy to solve if city gets serious about it. Meanwhile, just talk no action as authority’s busy doing nothing !

[@maryblooms4599]

I don’t understand why handicapped placards allow “free” parking. I am totally disabled but does that mean we don’t earn an income?

[@suzanneng6101]

Mary Blooms if the meter itself is not accessible , (Ie too high, on a platform etc) then certain drivers/users can’t get to it to pay. We have municipal lots with a central meter. However the meter is on a raised platform and unreachable by wheelchair users.

[@Grunt0369USMC]

30 day confiscation of the vehicle and storge fees $150 a day. The person using it should lose driving rights

[@ricktimmons458]

print the photograph on the placard. tow illegal users.

[@thetruthhurts4542]

Should be a $2,000 fine minimum

[@leonardmacaulay9833]

Tow trucks, flat tires or ass kicking your choice.

[@jjmyers64]

They will never crack down on handicap parking, it’s all a big show for the cameras.

[@karlellison7987]

Why don't they make disable plates instead. Better than the handing one. I have disabled plates and got rid of the temporary one. If you are truly disabled, get the plates. I see a bunch of people who use the placards that are not disabled. At least with plates, you need to show proof of a valid disability, and the State validates the need.

[@lynnvh5445]

The problem with that is, for people who don't drive at all like me. My son drives me, my sister in law or my cousin for my appointments, groceries,etc. So someone with a disability from a stroke that would be impossible.

[@mpol701]

As said not 2veryone with a disable parking permit drives, they use a variety of cars driven by others

[@jamessmith-xt6dq]

Put the picture on the placard of the handicap person, that what South Carolina

[@Tat2Dragons]

It’s not necessary.

[@110311DONTWANTCHANNE]

if having people with disabilities pay for parking is equal, then have people without disabilities pay all the expenses the disabled have to pay....i would trade paying for parking to not have to pay so much more for things I need because of my disability...and many disabled are low income because of the disability and need whatever little break they can get

[@turnofevent8094]

I hope that the video was forwarded to the proper department and because you have it on camera will take proper action to take back those handicap placards and fine them big, like all of the folks in the video.....abusing it so others can not use those parking stalls.

[@WildlifeObsessed]

Parking Wardens that CANNOT Issue Tickets.How dumb is that. Step 1 - Change that Rule for starters. Step 2 - Photo of Owner on each Placard. Step 3 - Fines increase to $1,000 per infringement (so that would be applicable for each day abuse is recorded). Step 4 - Automatic Enrolment in a week’s Driving for the Disabled. NB. This is UNPAID. Step 5 - Publish Photo of Abuser in the City Newspaper for the week, after the Conviction.

[@UpnorthHere]

It's fraud - a crime. Parking tickets are not criminal.

[@davidtrautman6482]

Get rid of the free parking.

[@Dude-etiquette]

They should go to jail for one week, they probably think for every time I am fine $259 I save $1000 not being caught other times. Have you noticed People who park in disabled zones never apologise, they always have an excuse because they are arrogant

[@alanshadyvally]

I have a bad heart. Otherwise I look ok. I can't walk far before it gets to me. Yes I need the handicap space but can never find one!

[@todddanforth8853]

People are such blatant liars.

[@michaellafleur15]

I think, I think typical politician. How about towing and $1,000 fine, you'll see how fast it all stops, period.

[@shawmeck9323]

Why do handycap people get free parking?

[@arthursmith643]

Where are the police?

[@reynaldorivera7641]

Impound the vehicle then they’ll think twice

[@robertbluntfalsearrest7127]

You should increase the fine tenfold I'm disabled I can't find a parking space in town so I will go somewhere else and spend my money how about that

[@jeremyness2395]

That two tier system seems pretty silly. If ur disability presents in from putting coins in the meter it's free, anything else costs. Are there any disabilities that doesn't prevent someone from driving but will prevent someone from putting coins in a meter? Legit question so let me know if you know

[@realazduffman]

Just take away the free parking. SOLVED!

[@geraldhagen2989]

Fine should be at least $1000,00

[@mayalesovsky2764]

They should be towed