Police crack down on illegal parking
Updated: November 26, 2012
CHAMPAIGN -- Investigators are working to put an end to parking illegally. It's Black Friday. Shopping malls are packed and officers are out making sure you're parked in the right spot.
Secretary of State police dedicated a whole shift to checking disability license plates, all to make sure no one abuses a right that's so vital to thousands.
"How are you doing? I'm Investigator Baskett with the Secretary of State police. We're doing placard checks," Jack Baskett said.
Something Baskett doesn't mind spending his whole day doing. His mom is a two-time liver transplant recipient.
"It would be hard for her to go to the store and get out and do those things that we take for granted. She doesn't have the capacity to walk very far. She gets short of breath," Baskett said.
It's why days like today are so important.
"It might be a veteran coming home who has been injured. It's how you look at the personality of it," Baskett said.
Baskett and dozens of others are stopping at every handicap spot, making sure that all cars are parked legally.
"It's punched to show it's a male driver. His date of birth and month of birth are also punched." Baskett said.
So far drivers have been following the rules.
"I have given none today, out of about 25 checks." Baskett said.
"It's real important because he can barely walk and I'm right behind him," the couple said.
For Baskett, helping couples keep the spot they've earned is what it's all about.
"That's the big reward. They genuinely need it. They truly appreciate it's there for them. They appreciate us out here trying to enforce the law." Baskett said.
If you do park in a handicap spot you'll get hit with a $350.00 fine. If you decide to use grandma's for a day that's a max of $500.00 and you could get your driver's license taken away.
Secretary of State police dedicated a whole shift to checking disability license plates, all to make sure no one abuses a right that's so vital to thousands.
"How are you doing? I'm Investigator Baskett with the Secretary of State police. We're doing placard checks," Jack Baskett said.
Something Baskett doesn't mind spending his whole day doing. His mom is a two-time liver transplant recipient.
"It would be hard for her to go to the store and get out and do those things that we take for granted. She doesn't have the capacity to walk very far. She gets short of breath," Baskett said.
It's why days like today are so important.
"It might be a veteran coming home who has been injured. It's how you look at the personality of it," Baskett said.
Baskett and dozens of others are stopping at every handicap spot, making sure that all cars are parked legally.
"It's punched to show it's a male driver. His date of birth and month of birth are also punched." Baskett said.
So far drivers have been following the rules.
"I have given none today, out of about 25 checks." Baskett said.
"It's real important because he can barely walk and I'm right behind him," the couple said.
For Baskett, helping couples keep the spot they've earned is what it's all about.
"That's the big reward. They genuinely need it. They truly appreciate it's there for them. They appreciate us out here trying to enforce the law." Baskett said.
If you do park in a handicap spot you'll get hit with a $350.00 fine. If you decide to use grandma's for a day that's a max of $500.00 and you could get your driver's license taken away.
