Disabled parking laws need teeth

To the editor;

Regarding the article pertaining to new disabled parking provisions: Laws are only of value if local officials believe them to be.

I was told police are not allowed to patrol business parking lots unless specifically called in response to a crime. Most business owners do not want to offend their customers and will not call to report violations. Most mall security personnel only warn violators, and many go undetected.

It is up to the average citizen to alert the police to perceived disabled parking violation. I have done this in the past. I found the police are too busy or are not in the area to respond in time to catch the individual in the act. Police officers are not too happy when called to give a ticket to someone violating the law only to find that person did have the right to park in that disabled parking spot. The mistake was that the person did not look like he had a disability, an all-too- common problem.

Disabled parking laws have been on the books for years. Amendments have increased penalties but offer little monetary incentive compared to traffic violations. If police and business owners do not take an interest in these laws, then neither will violators.

Senate Bill 1233 is well intentioned legislation. But like others before, it is only as good as the power of enforcement.

MARYANN "MIKI" GUDERMUTH

SEMO Alliance for Disability Independence

Cape Girardeau