Cops adopt zero tolerance over Blue Spots
(CNS): Police are clamping down on people who park in ‘Blue Spots’ designated for disabled drivers without the necessary permits. The special reserved parking slots can be used by people visibly displaying a disabled sign in their vehicle. “Able-bodied persons who park their vehicle in disabled spots, do so with great inconsideration for the people who genuinely need the parking space due to a legitimate disability,” the police said Wednesday as they announced the zero tolerance policy.
Under the Traffic Law and Regulations, anyone who parks their vehicle, motorbike or bicycle in a disabled parking spot or otherwise causes any kind of obstruction to the parking space commits an offense and may receive a traffic violation ticket for $100 CI.
The RCIPS has been directed to adopt a no tolerance approach to this traffic violation offense as complaints are on the rise. The police are encouraging all drivers to be mindful and respectful of the needs of those with legitimate disabilities and reminding them that all parking in a disabled spot without a valid disability permit is illegal.
These Mo Fo’s need to be locked up along with their biker gang friends.
For what its worth…I was going into Fosters at the airport today. Walking past a disabled parking space, I saw a car pull in. Neither driver or passenger appeared to need special help, though they were still sat in the car as I passed by. Then the driver reached down and pulled out a disable badge to hang from the interior mirror. Thought it strange at the time, and suspected – without any evidence – that someone was pulling a fast one. But I didn’t hang around to find out more.
Nothing will be done until law abiding people can do it themselves.
Whilst the unauthorised and unnecessary parking in blue spots by lazy assed car drivers shouldn’t go unpunished, is this a proper use of police resources when they are so thin on the ground?
Most of these spaces are on private property and it should be for the owner of that property to be compelled by law to enforce its proper use.
The same goes for domestic and most commercial alarm activations, or any other civil matter that can be dealt with by a security guard actually doing the job their paid for.
Police officers are not parking wardens or arbiters for petty civil issues and should not be tasked with matters that are adequately dealt with by other less qualified individuals or lawyers.
We’ve heard these self-congratulating public relations “sound bites” on so many past efforts which endured for mere hours or at best, days…the public is understandably skeptical and will only believe it when they see it. There must be a sustained escalation of effort thru every category of enforcement to move the needle of public (and criminal) expectation.
Suppose those who improperly park in blue spots may be handicapped – perhaps they are blind. Or those who do it outside bars/restaurants could claim they expected to be “legless” when they came out to drive home…….
This is a priority? I have been in position to genuinely need (and have display card) for blue spots for my pasenger but hardly found occasions when a space cannot be found…anyhow really glad RCIPS cracking down on important stuff. Also- if you see an able bodies woman parking in handicap spot and blithely making her way into an establishment, how do ypu know she iant there to collect her son in a wheelchair? Stop being petty.
I recommend starting from clearing out lying, thieving, pompous officers and once you clear them out (? Years?) leave the good ones to worry about Handicap spots.PS- these same cops cant even show up in court as summoned, but have time to hunt down erroneous warrants on the same ‘perpetrators’ that actually went to court as assigned.
Great system. Keep up the good work ????
I think you kind of contradicting yourself a bit?
“This is a priority?”
vs
“anyhow really glad RCIPS cracking down on important ”
“I recommend starting from clearing out lying, thieving, pompous officers ”
vs
“Great system. Keep up the good work”
i wonder if they are going to ticket fellow police officers parking on those handicap spots.
If an able bodied person is picking up a handicapped person then that able bodied person has the responsibility to display a placard in order to use a designated blue spot parking spot. Period.
And similarly it is the responsibility of any handicapped person to go through the process to have his/her physician sign off on the paperwork to take to Vehicle Licensing to get a placard or plate. And it is the responsibility of that handicapped person to display that placard or plate in order to use a designated blue spot space. Period.
The report of the rampaging bikes charging the Police generated about 340 comments. This is 10x the usual response. This alone should tell our legislators and Police that we’ve had enough of this anarchy. Traffic laws need to be adjusted and the police response more uniform. Why is it considered okay to remove a front plate when the law says the fine should be $2,500? Talk about low-hanging fruit! What could be easier than spotting a car with a missing yellow or white plate?
Or what about the cars that are being abandoned on the road side with license plates still there? Why are the owners not being held responsible and why are there no consequences. There is a red SUV which has been abandoned on Hirst Road for weeks, license plates still there……Our antiquated law demands that some sticker is applied which indicates that vehicle will be towed and then several weeks have to pass….BS!!!
Meanwhile the junction of Newlands Bypass and Hirst Road is now a used car sales place. Yesterday 4 vehicles were parked there with sales signs including contact numbers displayed. At least two RCIP officers live in Newlands and pass this stuff daily, yet nothing happens. Those vehicles should be towed and if the owners wants it they should have to pay the towing cost plus a $500 fine for parking them there illegally to begin with. Those constant wrist slapping business we have going on here is what causes this ignorance of the laws. Too many think its a joke.
What if i have a legitimate injury that makes it hard/painful for me to walk but I am not permanently disabled? Can I use a blue spot?
CNS: I have passed this question onto Auntie on CNS Local Life. She said she would answer this either tomorrow or Monday.
I do hope not.
You can have your physician sign off the paperwork to get a temporary handicapped placard. Costs $5 at Vehicle Licensing. Valid up to 1 year, depending upon physician’s order, and renewable.
You cannot just decide that on your own.
LOVE the response! In an all too often cruel and indifferent world, thank goodness we have Auntie to look out for us!
Wow.. I hope it goes better than the clamp down on dirt bikes…….zzźzzzz
And the clamp down on window tint….
And the clampdown on speeding…
Have some beat cops check in at all the grocery stores on Thursdays Fridays and Saturdays in the evening. This is the best fishing time to catch these lazy a$$, ignorant lard a$$es who like to park in the Blues or haul up right in front of the door and wait.
and why not walk the parking lots and hand out tickets for missing license plates, dark tinted windows and expired stickers at the same time. Or walk the lines during rush hour traffic – but that would be to easy! In Cayman it seems that the general thinking is only when money is thrown at a problem it will be resolved. Why not work smarter rather than harder?
But hey – remember the report in regards to outstanding tickets and how many have not been paid for. OUR LAWS NEED TO CHANGE!!!!! You pay at the time you being caught or the price of your ticket goes up every day is passing without it being settled. No renewal of licenses with outstanding tickets. But hey – remember the report with the licensing department being in one hell of a mess……..we really are our own worst enemy!
Obese women in utes picking up snacks at Cafe del Sol are going to be in big trouble.
Obese men and women is what you meant.
Both at Over the Edge!
How many people have been killed or injured parking in blue spots. How about some ZERO TOLERANCE for these maniacs on dirt bikes (dirtbags)!?!?
Have reported this activity repeatedly giving times, locations and even video plainly showing the source residence and facial ID of the idiot, yet no action has been taken. Will it take a fatality among the lawless numbnuts riders or worse yet, an innocent bystander to finally DO THEIR DAMN JOB?
infuriating isn’t it!
It is not correct to say these “blue spots” can be used by people visibly displaying a disabled sign in their vehicle”. I have come accross several able bodied drivers parking in the reserved slots and claiming either through ignorance or trying to lie their way out of it, that as they have a disabled sign in their car they are entitled to park there.The sign does not apply to the vehicle unless it is occupied by the disabled person entitled to the permit.
True enough. The person for whom the plate or placard was issued must be in the vehicle or being picked up by a driver to use the blue spots. Family members of placard holders must not use handicapped spots in the disabled person is not being transported.
But some qualifying disabilities might not be readily apparent. Persons with insufficient lung function, for example, may qualify since the effort to breath becomes problematic the further they have to walk. Other conditions that restrict mobility (e.g. bad arthritis) may also be qualifying even if the person does not use a wheelchair.
The form to apply for the handicapped placard has some advice to physicians of various conditions where a placard might be appropriate.
Yes when the police start obeying the law i will too and stop threatening and trying to intimidate people with arrest because they speak up about police themselves parking in Blue Disable spots. I not surprised though when you see who now fill up the ranks of the RCIPS?
I have seen a police car sit in the blue spots!!!
Because giving $100.00 tickets is easy. What those bikers did goes to show you who has the power over this Island!!!
I have seen the police parking in blue spots outside eating establishments.
Amen Narcisso Clarke! I agree 100%! RCIPS needs to learn respect is earned not forced no matter who you are….that goes for Customs & Immigration as well…..same rules/laws they expect the people of these islands to follow they must adhere to as well because at the end of the day once that uniform is off you become a regular person just like the rest of us.
They should just sit outside Over The Edge and Fosters Savannah
Marquee Plaza off Lawrence Boulevard
Grand Harbour, Fosters – all of them, Park Place, and the list goes on and on. They could pay OT and wages if they consistently ticketed yellow line and blue spot parkers.
Oh, you mean that’s what they are supposed to do when someone parks on a double yellow? Not just greet them, fist bump them and move on to chat with someone else???? Surely not…
Yup. The one at Over the Edge has been a regular using that blue spot right outside the door for years now.
Considering this and amount arrests with rogue bikers demonstration it appears RCIP is prioritizing based on their abilities. Effectively a bunch of meter maids/parking wardens.
Generously overstating their ability.
Lol
That’s right. Focus on the parked ones as the dirt bikes continue to fly around like crazy prople. Easier to catch. If police had done their job long time ago and nipped these bikes in the bud from then, we wouldnt have the issue today. They also need to focus on the dump trucks that have no respect for the law and other motorists.
This is a good start. Let’s also have a zero tolerance policy for everything else that is out of control on our roads (ie children not in car seats or even wearing seat belts, running red lights, running stop signs, failure to indicate turns and lane changes, improper use of roundabouts, speeding, dangerous driving, tailgating, etc).
Well about time – you may want to permanently station a police officer at Country Side Fosters cause there is ALWAYS someone parked in the handicapped spots without displaying a permit.
Also, $100 fine is not high enough of a deterrent………
Wrong. Zero tolerance is towing these asshats cars and putting them in the crusher.
RCIPS need a fleet of tow trucks and an impound lot.
About time!
i hope they are ready to ticket there own rcip!
This is great but what about the illegal motor bike gang? I think removing all illegal motor bikes from the street and putting the riders in prison should be top priority. Yet we haven’t heard a thing from the police about this!
The bikes are illegal to ride on the streets but not illegal to own and not illegal to ride on private property/roads
Hence the bikes cannot be confiscated, even in instances when the persons are convicted of crimes most of the bikes were returned
So you want the police to arrest ALL of the “illegal motor bike riders” and place them in Northward prison? What a stupid idea! Who do you think will be paying for all of them to stay in there? THE PEOPLE YOU IDIOT! and what space does Northward prison have to accommodate such a high number of persons? NONE! And what would the charges be to even hold them in Northward? ” Wheelies’? Please think before you type any more ideas….
You & those who liked your comment must be gonna put them up in your home!
LOL @ 3:37pm Thank You!
The RCIPS has been directed to adopt a no tolerance approach to this traffic violation offense as complaints are on the rise.
Can someone please complain about the violent crime, car thefts, and corruption on this island
I am not sure why this has hit me a the most laughable article yet, I guess after reading and seeing the video from the motor bike chaos on the weekend, you know the one , it shows the complete disregard for the laws of a civilized society, and then today I see this.
This is what the cops want to have zero tolerance for, haha beautiful
Is this suppose to be encouraging? Should have been doing your job any way. And why only “$100.00″? What is wrong with……….”$250.00”? Could not RCIP/CIG make this hurt a bit more like the handicapped who are so disappointed when they come upon and illegal parker!!!
Next up for Christmas : Illegal window tint,obscured license plates ,dump trucks pulling 60 mph past Hurley’s…Lets get her done!
Just enforce all the laws, all the time!
And yet 200 motorcycle riders breach a road block, among other violations and not one fine is collected for what must have been dozens of violations.
Guess it’s easier than catching goons on dirt bikes.
Sounds like not only illegal parkind that needs to have zero tolerance on today . Not enough space to list them all . So RCIPS you have a big task ahead of you now .
Id park on a double line before i disrespect the blue spot fam
Do you work for Papa Johns?
No but you just made me want some pizza ?
I hope everyone will remember that the Traffic Law and Regulations do not apply on private property.
A.k.a. your house… Traffic Law states that private property that invites the public such as a supermarket parking lot etc. is still under the law.
the traffic law applied to all “public places” and per the law a “public place” means a place to which the public has access –
(a) as of right, without payment;
(b) upon payment; or
(c) upon invitation, express or implied,
and includes commercial property to which persons attending for commercial
purposes are allowed access by the owner of those premises, upon payment of a
fee or not;
CIG willing to put fees on absolutely everything that is remotely a government service, but when it comes to parking in handicapped spots they only give out $100 tickets?
Bet if you raised that ticket to $500 or $1000 and used the funding to cover department costs the police would be willing to scour the islands looking for persons breaking the law and residents wouldn’t dare park in the spots unless they had the required documentation and permits
All that “naming and shaming” bullshit doesn’t work, Caymanians are just idle and like getting into people’s business and gossiping. The RCIPS needs to enforce the laws and having 2 or 3 officers a day go from business to business and parking lot to parking lot checking the spots would be relatively easy and use up relatively few resources. Make the officers take photographic evidence and if they try to fight in traffic court simply slide the picture over. Put the pressure where people care and are effected their bottom line, and for repeat offenders double or triple the tickets accordingly until they learn. No reason to put people in jail for this but make sure they face stiff economic penalties.
Clear and easy solution
Likewise we the Public expect the Cops to be respectful cops. With certain behavior perhaps the public has no respect to some of them. Parking in the wrong designated areas is small to some of what they do. Now that we are on this subject, what time will they deal with with those Jaaaaaaa that can be seen on the side of the streets and in public places peeing. Even kids in the cars have to witness this from these worthless men. Just above the Jerk chicken place across fro Tomlinsons round about a few evenings ago there was some young man peeing. It was most disgusting.
zero tolerance for low hanging fruit, what about the loser jamming his bass every night through our nieghborhood, is the RCIP deaf?
oooooo… Zero Tolerance…. I am shaking in my flip flops.
But on the other hand, where are these said “Blue Spots?” Typically in parking lots i would presume.
So as they fearlessly drop a ticket on a carelessly parked vehicle, perhaps they could take a loop of the parking lot and place tickets on the cars with illegal tint, license covers, those crazy lug nut spikes (they can not be legal) and expired tags…
Do ALL the work.