Parking has always been a problem for students on campus, however, some students are going to the extreme of taking disabled parking spots even though that they are not handicapped, Sgt. Dal Toruno said.
“Our campus has a large disabled population that needs the spots, we work with the Special Resource center to make sure that those who need the spots get them,” Toruno said.
For many, parking in these specially designated spots does cause them concern on moral grounds and not just because of the fines.
“I have my grandfather’s permit available whenever I want, but I don’t use it because I know that the spot my car is in should have gone to someone who really needs it. I’ve seen the struggle my grandfather goes through when he drives and I can’t stand those who have no respect for the disabled,” sophomore George Rodriguez said.
According to the American Disability Association, the state is looking into prevention methods such as placing a picture of the disabled on the permit.
Disabled parking fraud is hard to catch due to the sensitive nature of the subject. Those with obvious physical limitations are the only ones people expect to see with permits.
However, there are many different types of ailments that qualify a person for a disabled parking permit.
“If you are occupying the spot, then there is someone who needs it that can’t park there,” Toruno said.
Campus Police is constantly on the look out for those who abuse the disabled permits.
They run the permit number against the license plate number and the name of the person it’s registered to.
For students who do abuse a disabled parking permit it is all about convenience.
“I use my mom’s permit, I’m only suppose to use the permit when she’s in the car with me, but if I have it I’ll use it,” Mark Martinez said.