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Arlington Police Seek Volunteers for Citizen Handicap Parking Patrol
The Arlington Police Department will begin a Citizens Handicap Parking Program next month. Volunteers who complete a state-mandated four-hour training course on Saturday, May 4 will be authorized to issue either warnings or citations to people who violate handicap parking laws in Arlington.
State law allows citizens – under certain restrictions – to issue such citations and warnings. They may be given for the following two violations: parking in spaces reserved for people with disabilities (includes failure to properly display a handicap placard) and blocking access to such spaces. Violations are Class C misdemeanors, punishable by a fine up to $500. Enforcement is scheduled for the end of May.
Arlington police Sgt. Thomas Kiker developed the program after researching cities such as Plano, Dallas and Austin, with similar and successful programs.
"The program is intended to address a quality of life issue that was brought to our attention by residents," Sgt. Kiker said. "We hope that through education and enforcement, it will reduce the number of violations."
Volunteers must meet certain requirements and successfully pass a police background check. They also must attend a four-hour training course conducted by Arlington officers that will teach them the rules of the program, laws pertaining to handicap parking, procedures for issuing citations, and courtroom demeanor and conduct.
The program stresses non-confrontational techniques and emphasizes the safety of the participants. Volunteers will be outfitted with traffic vests and vehicle placards. They must provide their own vehicle, mobile phone and flashlight. They must ride as a two-person unit, one of whom must be department sanctioned. They may patrol between the hours of 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. and must give their locations to the city’s police dispatch unit. They may not carry weapons.
Arlington Police Chief Theron Bowman said the program fits into the department’s vision of community involvement.
"We’ve been calling on citizens to actively participate in our endeavors," Chief Bowman said. "This program empowers residents to cooperate with us and make a difference in their community."
Anyone interested in volunteering for the program should call (817) 459-5784. The class is limited to 25 volunteers. Additional classes will be held as needed.
Media contact: Sgt. Thomas Kiker, 817.451.8439.
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