Teen Busts Cop in Handicapped Spot
By blackbriar
@blackbriar (9075)
United States
September 26, 2008 7:59am CST
And I thought police were supposed to set a good example...
[i]A Cook County sheriff's officer who parked his squad car in a disabled parking space was busted Wednesday by a teenage photographer who caught him in the act.
Shepard High School senior Steven Hord, 17, used his cell phone to snap four pictures of the unwitting cop after he pulled into the marked spot nearest an entrance to the Palos Heights school Wednesday at lunchtime.[/i]
You can read the full story here... http://www.suntimes.com/news/1183988,092508busted.article
I hope this guy has to AT LEAST pay the $200 fine, if not more.
2 people like this
3 responses
@highflyingxangel (9225)
• United States
27 Sep 08
Sadly many cops just abuse their priviledges and do whatever they want, because they're the law after all and think their above anything that the law can throw at them. Of course, I hope that he does pay the fine and I hope that he does at least learn from his lesson. If I were the police there, I'd fire him if he was caught doing it again. I mean, there is no excuse for that kind of behavior.
@blackbriar (9075)
• United States
27 Sep 08
I wouldn't fire him but sure would make life hell for him for a while AFTER he pays the fine.
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
26 Sep 08
To some extent this story is funny because the cop thought he could do whatever he wanted and not get caught. He got busted and deserves to pay the fine. I don't park in a handicap spot because I am able to walk and don't have any medical issues that warrant my parking in a place that is needed for someone who may need the closer spot. It just isn't right. My conscious won't allow me to do things of this nature. There may come a day when I'll need to do this and would be totally irritated if another car was parked in a spot that was used only for someone with a disability. Hopefully this young teen won't have any problems as a result of taking the photo on his cell and turning this guy in.
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
26 Sep 08
He should have to do some community service also. He is supposed to be setting good examples and needs to be held to a higher standard because he's a cop. Cops are supposed to be protecting the laws not violating them.
I know it's not the point but I did have a problem with one statement the student made. "He didn't look disabled - he wasn't a fat cop, he wasn't a skinny cop - he just looked fit."
Ok so besides the stereotypical fat cop part being a little rude, a person doesn't have to look disabled to qualify for a parking spot. Someone with a heart condition might look perfectly healthy to outsiders but that doesn't mean they can walk from the back of the parking lot. I know that wasn't the case here, I'm just speaking generally. If a person has a placard or sticker saying they can park there, it shouldn't matter how healthy they look or how much (or little) they weigh.
@blackbriar (9075)
• United States
26 Sep 08
I know what your saying, foxyfire. My hubby is disabled but doesn't look it most times. He had a major stroke 4yrs. ago which left him weaker on the left side. When his left leg gets tired, his foot turns in and has problems walking so his doctor helped him get a placard. He has since had many TIA's (think that's what they are called) which has left him even weaker on that side. He's to the point he can't grip anything firmly and often drops things. SS claims he can still work thou. This time when he applies, we have a lawyer that is going to help him. Even his doctor said it's not safe for him to work most jobs being he can get hurt just by dropping something or tripping over something if his foot decides not to move suddenly.
I'm the town snitch when it comes to people illegally parking in handicapped spots. I'm always checking for the special license plate or the placard in the rearview mirror whenever I'm shopping. Amazing just how many people think they can get away with it.
