Blue Spot campaigners snap editor in disabled slot

| 11/08/2015 | 39 Comments
Cayman News Service

David Legge’s Jaguar in a ‘Blue Spot

(CNS): The editor of The Cayman Compass is the latest person to be named and shamed for parking in a ‘blue spot’ space in a local parking lot. David Legge parked his convertible Jaguar in a space reserved for disabled drivers, despite not having a permit. When CNS contacted the editor, Legge admitted his parking infraction. “I screwed up,” he said in an email.

“Actually I didn’t realize I had backed into a reserved spot, but, as we say in the news business, pictures don’t lie. I was caught on camera red-handed – and now am red-faced.”

The picture was given a headline position on the campaign The Blue Spot Facebook page Tuesday as campaigners emphasised the point that the traffic law applies to everyone.

This is the second time that the Compass editor has stirred up controversy in the community in the last few months. In June Legge fled the jurisdiction allegedly in fear of his life after the premier criticised an editorial published by the Compass. Although Alden McLaughlin’s response to the paper’s point of view on corruption was overdramatic, Legge’s reaction was even more so as he reportedly demanded police protection before heading for the US.

He eventually returned with security guards in tow but he appears, over the last few weeks, to be braving the streets of Grand Cayman unguarded and even parking in plain sight.

The blue convertible Jaguar, which Legge purchased around the same time that he also acquired Cayman Free Press, is well known around Grand Cayman. However, campaigners are not just looking to name and shame high profile members of the community but all able-bodied individuals who use the spaces reserved for those with mobility difficulties.

The Blue Spot Facebook page was created as a place to post pictures but campaigners are also pressurizing the police to ticket cars that they catch on camera. However, they have been less than impressed with the response of the RCIPS to their efforts to try and ‘drive’ home the need to keep blue spots free for those who need them. It appears that the police, after stating that they would ticket rogue parkers based on the pictures, are now indicating that they can only ticket if an officer sees the infraction.

Nevertheless, the blue-spotters continue to hand out flyers to those who do use the spaces without a permit in the hope that, at the very least, they can tweak a conscience and prevent them from doing it again.

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Comments (39)

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  1. Dennis Connor says:

    My opinion is any one that is catch parking in a blue spot parking and have evidence like a picture to show the police should be charge, let’s but this into law.

    • Anonymous says:

      Why is it such a big deal when the RCIPS themselves have had their pictures in the paper I believe twice…so why is it a big deal if someone else does it when the RCIPS themselves did it. Those particular police officers should have been suspended for a week or two without pay to pay for the fine…

    • Anonymous says:

      Get a life. Why don’t you do something useful?

  2. Anonymous says:

    Any takers on the odds that the organizer of the annual RCIPS ball gets a ticket for this traffic offense?

  3. Pots and Kettles says:

    Illegally parking in a handicap spot is kind of like, well applying illegal tint to your car windows or driving without a valid windshield coupon.

    Same level of disregard for basic law and order.

  4. Anonymous says:

    Police ticket someone for parking illegally….not very likely. I see Police pass by these types of infractions all the time….and do absolutely nothing!

  5. Carl says:

    Above the law maybe? Maybe this should be noted in the Washington post?

  6. George Ebanks says:

    Legge could send a lil fat cheque to the Lighthouse School in full repentance.
    That should see him thru the pearly gates one day.

  7. Anonymous says:

    Why single out this guy? Sure it was wrong what he did, but have you been other places, like Fosters at Country Side? The handicapped parking space is ALWAYS occupied but some one who is not handicapped but is just plain lazy and inconsiderate. That’s why they also had to move planters several feet into the round-about in an attempt to stop people from parking curb side by the front door. You could plaster pictures of their vehicles all over facebook and local media and they wouldn’t give a shit. All of this is just a further example of the failing system on Island where no laws are enforced.

    BUT, if by running this story this dude stops parking in handicapped spots, then good on you!

    • Anonymous says:

      Clearly you do not reside in the Cayman Islands or even better have never sullied your eyes with the fish and chips wrap this Jaguar’s owner rolls out…

      If you did you would understand why this poor innocent man has been ‘singled out’

  8. CayGuy says:

    Taking pictures of the perp in question and posting to facebook is tame. Should do like what they do in Brazil, these people serious:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmpsJej64f8

  9. Anonymous says:

    Treason

  10. Anonymous says:

    Absolutely pathetic. What an arrogant a$$.

  11. Booo says:

    On another note, since he said he didn’t see it, maybe the driver licensing department should pull his drivers license.
    Maybe he’s too old to be driving.
    It’s dangerousness to the public to have someone who can’t see, in broad daylight, a big blue and white sign and blue tire stop.
    Next time it might be a child or tourists on the cross walk in front of him.
    Imagine how he drives at night or in the rain, it’s scary man.

  12. Booo says:

    Not being able to read is not a disability.
    As the editor of a news paper you should be able to read.
    Typical highty-tighty bull. Do as I say not as I do.

  13. Anonymous says:

    das corruption!

  14. Anonymous says:

    So unlike the rest of us, when driving backwards into a parking spot you did not use your rear view mirror and see the HUG BLUE CURBING behind you indicative to normal people of a disabled spot? C’mon Mr Legge that was a pretty pathetic excuse sir!

    • The Truth be Known says:

      Let he who is without sin cast the first stone…

      The number of able-bodied people who I see parking in disabled parking, fire lanes or just in the road is astounding. Most of the time, there are available spaces only a few steps away. People around here are incredibly inconsiderate… and lazy.

      • Anonymous says:

        Even “millionairs” expats that sperahead anticorruptiin campaings in “their” newspapers….

  15. Anonymous says:

    Good to see that Legge has ceased being a drama queen and settled back into his usual existence as an inconsiderate arrogant creep to which he happily confesses.

  16. Anonymous says:

    He fessed up. Pay the fine and nothing to see here. Wendy, could you do an FOI on how many other cars caught and fined and paid or still outstanding?

    CNS: Anyone can do an FOI.

  17. Anonymous says:

    Wow, headline news CNS. Keep up the noble work!

    • Anonymous says:

      Sacarsm much? This is a real headline, showing the truth about a man who badmouthed the whole country is a headline. Cherry on top? Ask my nephew’s helper that had to park faraway because of him and scratched someone’s door and I have to pay for it to avoid premium increases… does it look like a headline now a@#$#$

  18. Fair game says:

    Since we are outing all these blue spot offenders, maybe we can out all the people that park in fire lanes or just anywhere they please. Go to Hurleys any day of the week, that’s where the worst offenders park everyday. There is no repercussions to parking here unless it is near the courthouse.

  19. Knot S Smart says:

    He said he is ‘red-faced’ because he has been caught?
    I beg your pardon sir – but I think that I can safely say that you have always been ‘red-faced’…

  20. Anonymous says:

    Hey, hey, hey … don’t u people understand that Mr Legge has to park in such a manner in order to effect a speedy escape in the event of an attack by one of us savage natives?! Top down and all. (Guess he’s never heard of JFK.)

    – Who

    • Anonymous says:

      First time ever I appreciate your humour.
      Not Who

    • Anonymous says:

      @8:58 pm He had to park like that to avoid getting his Jag nicked (note that although he did not see the blue parking block, he was able to see the white line and park right up on it ; far away from the nearest vehicle).

  21. Anonymous says:

    Wow this guy is ridiculous he must be blind or something!

  22. Anonymous says:

    Parking in a disabled person parking lot without a permit “That’s Treasonous”

    I hope he sends his condolences, pity and sorrow to the Washington Post, New York Times and all the other media outlets that were spoken to recently.

  23. Sceptic says:

    Visually or Mentally impaired?

  24. Anonymous says:

    I sometimes confess when caught red handed as well.

  25. Anonymous says:

    Lack of respect for others…the same thing that got him in trouble with Alden. Smarten up legge.

    • Anonymous says:

      He wasn’t in trouble with just Alden…this man spat in the face of an entire community. Hard to be more offensive than that. Truth be told he got off easy…

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