40 Blue Spot parkers nabbed
(CNS): Following the launch of a grassroots campaign to stop healthy drivers from parking in spots reserved for those with disabilities, the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service says that in the past two weeks 40 people have eachbeen fined $100 for illegally parking in disabled bays. On Thursday morning, the police said they had joined forces with ‘The Blue Spot’ campaign to warn drivers who use the designated parking spots illegally that they will be targeted. However, the RCIPS noted that the campaign has highlighted the fact that many disabled people have not applied for a parking permit, which costs $5 and lasts up to five years. People with short-term disabilities can apply for a temporary permit, they said.
Disabled parking permits are issued by the Department of Vehicle and Driver's Licensing (DVDL) and allow the holders to use the many designated bays throughout the islands.
The warning from the RCIPS comes after one of their own was photographed getting back into her vehicle, having parked outside a coffee shop, blocking a disabled parking spot.
Inspector Adrian Barnett, of the RCIPS Traffic Management Unit, said, “The Blue Spot campaign has certainly helped raise the issue of people misusing the disabled parking bays, but it has also highlighted that many people who have disabilities don’t have permits. So, if you have a disability, and you need to access the disabled bays, then please make it a priority to get your permit. The last thing we want to do is issue a ticket to someone who is genuinely disabled and needs access to the bays. Help us to make sure that we target the right people by obtaining and displaying your permit now.”
Inspector Barnett is also encouraging business owners who have provided disabled bays at their premises to ensure that they are clearly marked / painted.
Kent McTaggart, of The Blue Spot campaign, said, “We are really pleased to be partnering with the RCIPS in a joint effort to change the sensitivity of Cayman in regards to the use of the handicap spots. We are proud and thankful to all of those who have taken active rolls in this effort, as it has rapidly shown results and there is a marked improvement in the number of handicap spaces that are open for those who are legal to use them.
"We would urge every person who feels they have the need to utilise the handicap spots, but who do not have a handicap placard or DV license plate to discuss their situation with their health care provider and obtain the appropriate recommendation letter to allow them to get the placard from the Licensing Department. We are working hard to keep these spaces available for those who need them, and we need those who are handicap to do their part and get the placard, we certainly do not want anyone who is in genuine need to be fined, and the only way to guarantee you will not be fined is to get the placard.”
The RCIPS said they would continue to work in partnership with The Blue Spot campaign throughout all districts in Grand Cayman and the Sister Islands to robustly enforce the legislation relative tothe designated disabled bays. Members of the public are encouraged to report any violators to their local police station.
Visit The Blue Spot Facebook page, and email TheBlueSpot345@gmail.com with photos of inconsiderate drivers.
Related article:
Mother takes on inconsiderate ‘parkers’
Category: Crime
I realize that there will always be heartless people in this world that don't care about others disabled or not and I accept that. I read a post on the Blue Spot page that was posted by a little boy namedAshton and his disabled brother Brandon. That touched my heart so deeply that he cared so much about his disabled brother. Ashton please continue to look out for Brandon. He will always need your love. I lost my hero, the one I thought would always be there for me and life has never been the same since but I have accepted that too. Life goes on.
The return of the stocks?
Fine the Hummer drivers double.
I'm glad to see this is how we are spending RCIPS resources, why patrol the neighboorhood for robbers when these type of crimes are being comitted….
I can surely appreciate your sentiment seeing the number of residential burglaries which are being committed as of late, but allow me to shed some light…there is no need for an either/or scenario for the RCIPS. They have MORE than enough officers to cover BOTH duties..the issue is the management don't know how to manage…and unitl the CoP pulls his head out of his perverbial backside and starts to demand some performance from his officers, it won't improve any time soon.
I would much rather see police pulling over all the dangerous drivers here (using the turning lane as a passing lane, etc.) than monitoring the thousands of unecessary disabled spots that inexplicably exist on this island. I think it speaks volumes that there are more people using these spots without permits than actual disabled people.
I have been fighting this battle for 19 years now and trust me placard or no placard makes no difference. Just this past Thursday I went to FFF as I do every Thursday and again all the handicappd spaces were taken by able bodied people who had all their limbs but no empathy, respect, consideration or regard for me in a wheelchair with one leg. Living in a wheelchair, parking is only one of the challenges that I face everyday of my life by myself. I work ten hours a day to support myself. God knows I would not wish this on anyone but please have a little consideration for those of us that need these spaces available when we are out in public places. It would be greatly appreciated.
Peggy, I am sorry you feel it will or can never change. I disagree with you totally here. The reality is that rather than looking at it as a victim, you can put yourself in the position of being part of the solution by calling the RCIPS to report the offences, and demand accountablility of them. Your circumstance is obviously very challanging, and there are many who can empithise, but you have a fantastic opportunity each and every time you see someone abusing the handicap spots by reporting the law breaker to the police.
Plus report it to the establishment that you are visiting and inform them that you will tell everyone that they are not assisting and that their business should be boycotted until they do better.
Peggy
Please have a little sympathy..these people have some real disabilites. The main ones being that they are blind (can't see the sign), stupid (even if they see them don't understand the reason for them) and have Anti Social disorders (only see their own needs, could not give a sh*t about anyone else)- in the case of men who do this, of course they have small penises too and all kinds of complexes as a result.
It seems also acceptable for the "oh, but I will only be a minute" answer..where I come from that gets a bigger fine than just admitting they got it wrong…a rule is a rule…it does not matter if it is a minute or not.
If lack of a sense of shame becomes a registered disability they gonna need a lot more tins of blue paint.
There shiould be reserved wide spaces for fat people a long way from the store so that they get some exercise.
Funny how everyone likes the idea of shaming someone on a website for a parking violation, but people argue against the shaming of sex offenders using the same method. Caymanians have their priorities mixed up… Big time!
Nonsense. One is a low level but anti-social act which can be very appropriately privately enforced through public shame based "nudging". The other is an extremely complex social issue and one which the professionals do not agree is suited to such publicity. Your gut-based post shows you probably have no comprehension of the complex issues underpinning the arguments.
Excuse me for saying how I feel but why would we not want to know who our sex offenders are? Wa happen??? Afraid your daddy get caught or uncle.?? Time to stop pushing our core issues under the rug. Wakeup and wise up. Our future depends on such transparency and accountability. GET REAL!
Why don't you leave complicated things for people who do not use three questions marks at the end of a sentence? Go back to your cave.
I don't know what criteria this "registry" uses but if its anything like word on the marl road, then there'd be a hell of a lot of innocient people being wrongly accused… these things are dangerous unless dealt with properly.
I agree!!!!!!!!
If it is your son or daughter that was abused, would you want everyone to be able to identify them via the perp?
The law is the law plain and simple. This is a simple start to up holding our laws, now we need to look at speeding, DUIs, and all the othrr trafic offenses. They only problem is there is no traffic dept. The deputy commissioner dispanded it a couple of years ago and look at what has happened. Simple laws broken, when this happens you tend to find the finger inthe cookie jar leads to the hand following. Start small get bigger. No disrespect to the blue spot I think you guys are doi g a grea job.
You ################### all need to know that anyone driving a vehicle with a disabled permit have to be disabled, in other words a healthy person cannot drive the vehicle with the disabled person NOT in it and park in disables area ########################.
I still cannot findout how many disabled permits have been issued in Grand Cayman. Can anyone say?
You could put in an FOI request to the Licensing Dept. However I would imagne the amount is going to be in a steady rise over the next few months as people realise they actually have to abide by the law.
So how much did the RCIP charge the convicted police woman? My guess is $00000!! is she above the law she is tasked to uphold?
If you are refering to the RCIPS female officer caught @ cafe del sol, she was not officially ticketed at that moment, but the picture was taken and posted just like the hundreds of others on The Blue Spot facebook page. If the person who took the picture, goes to the RCIPS makes a statement and gives them the picture, then we would fully expect that officer to recieve a ticket. I will say that the fact that the RCIPS is fully engaged in this effort is payment enough. But that is just me.
wrong,
the RCIPS hasn't accepted a complaint against a police officer from a member of the public for over 3 years…and they have no intention of starting back any time soon…
imagine how much they could make if they fined people for not using indicators…
You thumb this down!, you probably one of the idiots that is always turning and changing lanes, without using your indicators.
They need to start sending you guys back to driving school. You all got the country like anarchy..lawless.
What if I hit troll or LOL?
Better yet, turn off a set of traffic lights and give tickets to all who do not treat it as a four way stop. It is unbelievable the chaos when traffic lights are off. People do not understand that each car needs to stop and give way as you do at any 4way stop. Everyone tries to push through the intersection at once.
You don't even have to do that. Go to the four way stop in West Bay and ticket those who do not treat it as a four way stop. That would be close to 90% of the drivers in my estimation. I stop for the stop sign and inevitably have the car/cars behind me beeping their horns and/or flipping me off.
That intersection could be a real money maker.
Or sit at roundabouts and nab those that disobey the Highway Code and enter the outside lane and go all the way around instead of turning left or going straight ahead. I cannot see why the Roads Authority can't paint lines on the roads to guide people who seem totally clueless.
Oh please, this and the indicator issue could generate a fortune for the CIG!
The RCIPS needs to reengage the Traffic Department. This new style Baines is using simply doesn't work. The roads are the wild-wild west.
Or for not having kids in car seats. I cringe at the number of small kids (under two) I pass by not in car seats.
14.18 Indicator? What's an indicator? I have this other lever thing someone told me was a dip-switch, but I never found out what it's used for. Other drivers are always flashing me at night, probably they appreciate my blue Argons and my Krypton spots, but it's annoying as hell, they should get some manners. On the roundabouts I stay in the left lane as that's where all the exits are, but other drivers always try to cut in front of me from the inside lane when they exit. Where did they buy their licences? Tossers! I shouldn't say this, but the reason I have my tints is I can use my Galaxy and the police can't see a thing and if they try to get my licence plate that's got a tinted cover too, so I'm all set. Even the cameras can't get my plates. Let me Google inicator/ dip-switch, and see what comes up.
I like your sense of humour. Some people aren't intelligent enough to read this and understand you are being slightly sarcastic. Nice writing. And you are right majority of people here do not think the law applies to them.
The idiots have now started to run the red lights. It won't be long now before a catastrophe occurs.
I had to shout at two drivers, two weeks ago who ran the red light. We are now living within a lawless society. It's anarchy out there.
Where are these people going, that they can't slow down at some point, and drive like humans? It appares that their brains are located in their feet.
This is happening everyday. Where are the police? who is manning those camera at these cross roads? Why arent these peopl who break the traffic laws, still driving on our roads. Do we really need the money that bad, or are we just plain stupid.
If you have to ask.
Most behaviours are learned. A lot of them learn about stop signs from the school bus drivers who blow through the 3-way stop at George Hicks school like it wasn't there.
People run the red light at Fort Street/North Church Street every single night and nobody ever stops them.
Left turn on red is permitted after coming to a stop, if your way is clear.
Dear CNS and Readers,
Let's please remember to give credit to the grass-roots Mom who started this, Ms. Chelsea Rivers, who was annoyed that her disabled son has enough challenges and does not need to add "inconsiderate lazy law breakers" to the list. I love the photos on facebook!
Well done with the tickets! let's name & shame! Ialso know that some of these inconsiderate "parkers" will ignore their tickets and have the lovely surprise of a warrant 30 days from now. I am glad that our court systems has one thing right…we don't let parking tickets slide.
Looking in the blue spots for offenders has become a daily pastime for some and a good one at that!
Keep up the great work everybody!
The law is the law. Disabled? Parked in a disabled spot? No permit displayed/do not have one? You should be fined.
You see where this is going? No special treatment, the law does not work unless it is fair and just for all. Next those in need will say $5 is too much and it should be free to the disabled, because…I don’t know, pity?
These parking permits cost money and $5 for 5 years is less than $0.42 cents per month each year or $1.00 per year for 5 years. No excuses, get your permit or face the fine like everbody else has to.
I'm all for permits, but it's beyond me why a disabled permit costs anything at all.
And who pays the bill for the paper/plates the permit is printed/stamped on? Add in the ink, electricity, staff time, shipping, stocking etc. You get the picture. It’s $1.00 per year up to 5 years. And that properly doesn’t cover the full expense IMO.
True I had to pay $10.00 and it is only good for a year
It’s actually $0.08 per month, but valid point.
Oops. Good catch Frank. Calculated as $5.00 per year (0.41666 x12) instead of $1.00 per year for 5 years ($1.00 ÷ 12 x 60). They devil’s sure in the details. 🙂
Nothing is fear in Cayman. Heard of one that parked by the hospital sometimes ago and one of their relatives took the ticket to somebody and that was the end of that story. We need to be consistent.The hospital in particular is impossible most of the time to get parking. Perhaps the Security at the hospital can assist with parking. When a person has an appointment and they drive around for a half an hour to get parking they automatically loose their appointment. RIDICULOUS.
Good Job, thats $4000 into the Government kitty, keep it up, this amount and more can be collected every week. Just park an officer at Fosters and he will soon pay for himself in fines.
They could support the whole force if they wasn't so damn stubburn, and place a cop at each round-about, i gurantee they would nab over 20,000 cars per day, not using their indicators. On top of this, let them retake their drivers license exams…. and charge them for the lessons.
Get off it about indicators in the roundabouts. The roundabouts here are too small.
And where have you been, to see bigger round-about?
it's just ignorance and stupidity of a person failing to indicate. My guess you do not know what it means…..you must have bought your license.
ummm….been to England? The country has MASSIVE round-abouts. HUGE!
We have none that size here and still we struggle to get it right. People simply do not understand how a round-about works. And truthfully Cayman is one of the easiest places in the world to obtain a licence. :-/
I think you mean the indicator lever is too hard to push or pull every time.
then why is it that police wants to inforce that the public do so.
and while some are small check the one by AL thompson and you still see poor driving.
U have got to be joking right?
Thwere is NO law requiring to use indicators.Severl years ago I had a minor fender bender when the car in front of me had indicators for aright turn and then turnwed left. The kind policemen explained that an operating indicator means that the bulb is working…nothing more.
Yeah, right! They must have caught almost 1% of the offenders! Just like the 1% of drivers who get caught for talking on cell phones while drivin!. It's a joke – a big BIG joke!
Dear Planning please make it mandatory that these business places have double the parking that is required. Mostly all Caymanians are dying from knee and hip problems even far more than cancer now a day and cant manage to park so far from where they intend to go.
This is a great campaign. I hate seeing people use disabled parking spots when they in fact are not disabled. It's just plain ignorant.
Oh and the RCIPs should hang out at the Marquee Plaza (specifically outside Cafe del Sol) as there are always people parking in the disabled spot there and shouldn't be.
The police DO hang out at Cafe del Sol……..it really is great to see them enjoying their coffee in the mornings while lazy, ignorant, gits park in the disabled spot and the po po do absolutely nothing about it. Oh my bad they must be on their break!!!
Is that you "Jordanian" LOL
Not disabled – but usually overweight!!
This is good news!
However, the RCIP only seems to be enforcing the law because have made a lot of noise!Perhaps if there was an "Anti Littering Campaign" the RCIPs would actually charge someone?
Imagine, a civilian had to start this campaign in order for the cops to actually start to enforce the law on this! I have to really wonder what many of them are being paid for. I was in traffic behind a marked police vehicle yesterday at the stop lights near Jaques Scott and someone passed right through the lights in full view of the police, driving whilst holding his cell phone to his ear and talking and guess what, the cops did nothing ! I was behind them and I saw so I know they had to have seen him but I guess it was probably time for them to change shifts so they couldn't be bothered.
Imagine that there used to be a guy that used to put a boot on your car if you parked in the handicapped spot and only charged you $75 to remove it and everybody wanted to lynch him…you just can't please some people…
They need to bring back the wheel clamping again and that'll straighten out some of these lazy ass people. Has anyone noticed how crazy it has become at the Grand Harbour stores since this practice was demolished? I can't count one evening when there's no line of cars, specifically in front of Hurley's and when I spoke to the store's management and security about it I was told there is nothing they can do. I actually sat in my car one day and felt sorry for the cart boy who couldn't find any room to maneuver a long line of carts back to their storage area because cars were blocking the entire access route.
I say shame on you drivers! How much does it take to walk from the parking lot to any of the stores in this complex? Maybe you should try it sometimes. This might save you having to spend all of that money on the latest protein diet that everyone is running down nowadays.
So the RCIP'S lady would actually make it 41 people that were charged?
There's a police car (one of the flashy new ones) likes to park at the disabled spot right next to the door of Over the Edge in Northside – perhaps we could fine him also?
Come on now, He is just there to assist any disabled that might come along…I call it proactive policing! 🙂