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Parking May Become Easier for the Handicapped

Finding parking spaces can be a hassle... but for the handicapped, it should be easier because of designated parking spaces.

But as Jung Wha Yoon found out, this is not always the case.

Mark Ernst is blind and lost both legs seven years ago and his wife Elizabeth has asthma and cannot walk for more than 20 feet.

The Ernsts are supporting a bill that would allow legally handicapped people like them to issue citations to people who are illegally parked in handicapped spaces.

Mark says people illegally parking in the few spaces set aside for the handicapped have stopped him from doing everyday errands.

Mark's wife, Elizabeth, says every place she goes, she sees people illegally using handicapped parking.

Elizabeth says she thinks police aren't doing enough to stop the problem.

The bill's sponsor, Salem representative Kelly Parker, says he knows first-hand that Elizabeth is right.

Kelly says he never prosecuted handicap parking violations because in all those years, he never saw a ticket for one.

So people like Kelly and the Ernsts want to see the handicaped have the power to cite violators themselves.

But not everyone thinks arming handicapped Missourians with a citation book and pen is a good idea.

Blue Springs representative Carson Ross says he is appalled when he sees able bodied people park illegally... but giving citizens the power of police officers is not the answer.

Ross says he is also leery of potential danger.

Ross says he wants to know... who is at fault if a fight breaks out in a parking lot between someone illegally parked... and a handicapped person trying to give out a citation.

Reporting from the state capitol, this is Jung Wha Yoon.

Date: February 25, 1997

By: Jung Wha Yoon

State Capital Bureau

Finding parking spaces can be a hassle... but for the handicapped, it should be easier because of designated parking spaces.

But as Jung Wha Yoon found out, this is not always the case.

Mark Ernst is blind and lost both legs seven years ago and his wife Elizabeth has asthma and cannot walk for more than 20 feet.

The Ernsts are supporting a bill that would allow legally handicapped people like them to issue citations to people who are illegally parked in handicapped spaces.

Mark says people illegally parking in the few spaces set aside for the handicapped have stopped him from doing everyday errands.

Mark's wife, Elizabeth, says every place she goes, she sees people illegally using handicapped parking.

Elizebeth says she thinks police aren't doing enough to stop the problem.

The bill's sponsor, Salem representative Kelly Parker, says he knows first-hand that Elizabeth is right.

Kelly says he never prosecuted handicap parking violations because in all those years, he never saw a ticket for one.

So people like Kelly and the Ernsts want to see the handicaped have the power to cite violators themselves.

But not everyone thinks arming handicapped Missourians with a citation book and pen is a good idea.

Blue Springs representative Carson Ross says he is appalled when he sees able bodied people park illegally... but giving citizens the power of police officers is not the answer.

Ross says he is also leery of potential danger.

Ross says he wants to know... who is at fault if a fight breaks out in a parking lot between someone illegally parked... and a handicapped person trying to give out a citation.

Reporting from the state capitol, this is Jung Wha Yoon.

Date: February 25, 1997

By: Jung Wha Yoon

State Capital Bureau

Finding parking spaces can be a hassle... but for the handicapped, it should be easier because of designated parking spaces.

But as Jung Wha Yoon found out, this is not always the case.

Mark Ernst is blind and lost both legs seven years ago and his wife Elizabeth has asthma and cannot walk for more than 20 feet.

The Ernsts are supporting a bill that would allow legally handicapped people like them to issue citations to people who are illegally parked in handicapped spaces.

Mark says people illegally parking in the few spaces set aside for the handicapped have stopped him from doing everyday errands.

Mark's wife, Elizabeth, says every place she goes, she sees people illegally using handicapped parking.

Elizebeth says she thinks police aren't doing enough to stop the problem.

The bill's sponsor, Salem representative Kelly Parker, says he knows first-hand that Elizabeth is right.

Kelly says he never prosecuted handicap parking violations because in all those years, he never saw a ticket for one.

So people like Kelly and the Ernsts want to see the handicaped have the power to cite violators themselves.

But not everyone thinks arming handicapped Missourians with a citation book and pen is a good idea.

Blue Springs representative Carson Ross says he is appalled when he sees able bodied people park illegally... but giving citizens the power of police officers is not the answer.

Ross says he is also leery of potential danger.

Ross says he wants to know... who is at fault if a fight breaks out in a parking lot between someone illegally parked... and a handicapped person trying to give out a citation.

Reporting from the state capitol, this is Jung Wha Yoon.