SACRAMENTO – California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) investigators caught 195 people fraudulently using Disabled Person Parking Placards (DPPP) during 28 enforcement operations carried out in June 2017.

“From Wheatland to San Diego, DMV investigators covered a lot of ground,” said Kenny Ehrman, president of the Association of Motor Vehicle Investigators of California.  “This is just one function that DMV peace officer investigators perform, but it is vital in educating the public about DPPPs and confiscating the DPPPs that are being used by people who, by law, shouldn’t be using them.  In addition, the real key to reducing DPPP abuse needs to start with the issuance. Also, violations are processed differently depending on the county they occurred in. The district attorneys and judges need to recognize the problem, as well, if we are going to see real change.”

Those issued misdemeanor citations must appear in court, face possible fines that range from $250 to $1,000, and will have the offense recorded on their driver record.

The statewide crackdown is part of the DMV’s continuous efforts to ensure handicap parking spots are used by individuals who have legitimately obtained disabled parking placards to assist them with their mobility.

Here are the results of the enforcement operations during the month of June:

Date                         City                                                         Citations Issued                      Drivers Contacted

6/6                           South San Francisco                                          13                                     169

6/8                           Livermore                                                            4                                       18

6/8                           Selma, Dinuba, and Sanger                                 9                                      66

6/10                         Hawthorne                                                          32                                     106

6/10                         Brea                                                                      2                                       44

6/13                         Santa Clara County                                              4                                       80

6/13                         Otay Mesa/Chula Vista                                         5                                       55

6/15                         Bakersfield                                                            5                                       17

6/15                         Salinas                                                                   4                                       36

6/16                         Wheatland                                                             7                                       88

6/16                         Ceres                                                                     4                                       20

6/20                         Ventura                                                                18                                       70

6/21                         Martinez                                                                4                                        34

6/21                         San Diego                                                               1                                        33

6/21                         Lancaster                                                              21                                        60

6/23                         Concord                                                               20                                       273

6/23                         El Centro                                                              14                                        101

6/26                         Sacramento                                                           7                                        52

6/27                         Roseville                                                                5                                        135

6/27                         Los Angeles                                                           6                                        40

6/27                         El Cajon                                                                 5                                         76

6/28                         Santa Clara County                                              5                                         60 _________________________________________________________________________________________

Totals:                                                                                               195                                     1,633

From April 1 to June 30, 2017, DMV investigators have issued 747 citations during 49 enforcement operations  throughout the state.

Individuals who suspect possible Disabled Person Parking Placard misuse are urged to submit a written complaint using form INV172A Record of Complaint, which can be found online at dmv.ca.gov or send an email to placard.misuse@dmv.ca.gov. Submissions are kept confidential.

It is helpful to include the vehicle information associated with the suspected placard misuse, as well as the placard number (if possible), location where the vehicle was parked and the date it occurred.