On June 5th during the CHP’s Sober Graduation Party for the Madera High class of 2008 I witnessed a CHP unit parked in a Handicapped Parking Stall in a parking lot next to the venue. I approached an officer about the parking violation and was blown off. I took a photo of the car and let the officer know it would be on my website Monday morning (www.MaderaOnline.com).
That officer had another officer in a CHP unit follow my minivan as I left the party around 1am. I was sited for having a tail light out when I hit the street. I showed the officer the new tail light I just purchased that night to fix the problem Saturday morning and I was still cited. I said the ticket was in retaliation for the photo. The officer said I was trying to win a “pissing contest” with the CHP.
I filed a complaint and the Lieutenant of the Madera CHP office, David Paris, claims the parking lot was closed to public parking for the event, but the night of the Sober Graduation the parking lot was filled with cars of graduates and volunteers attending the party. If the CHP has no regard for Handicapped Parking how are these spots ever going to be protected for those that need them?
I have a handicapped placard for my vehicle because of problems with my ankle and lower back. My mother has a placard for sever asthma and a heart condition. I am very committed to defending handicapped rights to parking stalls and local law enforcements inability to cite violators.
Here is the answer I got from the Commander of the CHP in Madera:
Lt. David Paris, Commander of the Madera Office of the California Highway Patrol
After a thorough and complete investigation, we were unable to substantiate your allegations. Our investigation determined Officer Ruvalcaba had not violated California Vehicle Code section 22507.8(a). This was determined due to the fact that parking lot where his patrol unit had been parked was closed to public parking for the duration of the event. (September 2, 2008)
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