Harford County investigators issued 19 citations for fraudulent use of disabled parking placards last week.
The annual sting—led by the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration and Harford County’s Office on Disability—was aimed at cracking down on illegal parking in spaces designated for disabled drivers.
Deputies gave out 19 citations for fraudulent placard use on Dec. 8, each with a $140 fine. Six citations carrying a $120 fine were issued for parking placards not being displayed.
A total of 19 placards were seized at various locations in Harford County.
RELATED: Tips to apply for disabled parking placards, avoid fines
Officials ask drivers to respect parking spaces designed for disabled drivers.
“For those with disabilities, the use of handicap parking spaces, also known as accessible parking spaces, is not a luxury; it's a necessity,” the Harford County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release. “Yet every day, motorists with disabilities cannot find parking spaces when they need them because their non-disabled counterparts use these spaces as a means of convenience.”
Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler warned holiday shoppers to avoid finding quick parking in illegal spaces.
"During the holiday season, we are all busy and looking for a shortcut to get things done and make life easier. Don't let one of those shortcuts be parking in a handicap parking space. If you don't need it, leave it."
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