POMONA – Investigators with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) issued citations to 71 people who were caught fraudulently using Disabled Person Parking Placards (DPPP) at the Los Angeles County Fair on September 10.

“Many people applaud the work of DMV investigators as they conduct these law enforcement operations to verify with drivers that DPPPs are being used legally,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona.  “If you’ve ever had to find disabled parking for yourself, your child or your parent, you know how difficult these spots are to find.  There are people who truly need to minimize their steps to stores, businesses and offices and its sad to watch them struggle with distance when they are forced to park far away.”

“We want to make sure drivers who are parking in blue disabled parking spots are doing so legally,” said DMV Investigations Chief Frank Alvarez. “We are constantly carrying out enforcement efforts throughout the state to deter people from breaking the law and improve access for those with limited mobility.”

Offenders issued misdemeanor citations must appear in court to face possible fines that range from $250 to $1,000 and will have a notation placed on their driver record. No points are assessed because this is not a moving violation.

From April 1 to August 31, 2017, DMV investigators issued 1,062 citations during 99 enforcement operations throughout the state.

The level of reported or observed misuse of disabled parking placards varies from area to area.  Most violations involve people using disabled parking placards issued to family or friends to avoid paying parking fees, as well as obtaining convenient and/or unrestricted parking.

California Vehicle Code Section 4461(b) (c) prohibits anyone from lending their placard, knowingly permitting the use of their placard or allowing anyone else to use it while they are not present.  In addition, a person shall not display a disabled person placard that was not issued to him or her or that has been canceled or revoked.

Anyone who suspects a person may be misusing a Disabled Person Parking Placard is urged to report it using an online complaint form or by contacting their local DMV Investigations office.

Assisting with the enforcement operation at the Los Angeles County Fair was the Pomona Police Department and Fairplex administration

During the crackdown, DMV investigators verified the proper use of more than 300 disabled parking placards.