When most drivers park illegally in Boston's handicapped parking spaces, they're slapped with a ticket and a towing fee totalling over $200 in all. But when cars at Boston's Police headquarters park illegally in spaces reserved for people with disabilities, violators are immune from tickets or even a sidelong glance from police officials.
Irene Landry, the city's supervisor of Parking Enforcement, owns a Toyota which the Boston Globe spotted repeatedly parked in handicapped spaces without the proper permit. When the Globe inquired about the car, Landry promised to investigate. Minutes later, Landry's son was observed high-tailing it out of the Headquarters to move his illegally parked car. Three other police officials also drove away in illegally parked cars.
According to the Globe, "...all prohibited parking areas around police headquarters on Tremont
Street are a penalty-free zone - scores of unmarked detective cars,
police evidence vans, and personal vehicles of patrol officers and
sergeants are ensconced for hours at a time in spots earmarked for the
disabled, and at fire hydrants, crosswalks, day-care drop-off, and MBTA
bus stops - virtually all of them marked "tow zone."
What do you think? Should police officials be punished for the alleged illegal parking? If so, how? Retroactive fines? Community service? Or are these public servants who are entitled to a few privileges, even if that means taking up spaces possibley needed by those with disabilities?
