# How could a police officer be this wrong? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 30, 2012, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-a-police-officer-be-this-wrong/626759 "2012-06-30T00:54:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-a-police-officer-be-this-wrong/626759/61 "2012-07-02T23:26:48Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > Letting your parking meter expire is a minor violation; that’ll cost you about $10. > > Parking illegally in a handicapped spot is not a minor violation. I inadvertently parked in a handicapped spot once[sup]\*[/sup]. I came back to find a $125 ticket on my windshield. Yes it is a minor violation. Just because its a bit more expensive than other violations does not make it a major offense. No points. No possible loss of license. \* Its just a parking ticket. Thats cheaper than the ticket around here for having a valid license but forgetting to have it on you. \*(I reserve the right to be wrong in case there is a state out there with wacky laws I don’t know about) ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2012, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-a-police-officer-be-this-wrong/626759/62 "2012-07-02T23:28:59Z")
> [@Shoeless](#): > > Instead of calling the cops, can you just call a tow truck and have the car towed? In my state and most that I have heard of, the property owner can have a car towed off their property. Random pissed off guy can’t. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2012, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-a-police-officer-be-this-wrong/626759/63 "2012-07-03T00:17:10Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > In my state and most that I have heard of, the property owner can have a car towed off their property. Random pissed off guy can’t. So the next time the neighbor’s guest park in **MY** driveway? Cool! ---
**Author:** ![maggenpye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecc23a/32.png) [@maggenpye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maggenpye)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2012, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-a-police-officer-be-this-wrong/626759/64 "2012-07-03T01:05:09Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > So the next time the neighbor’s guest park in **MY** driveway? > Cool! Yes, absolutely. And the tossers who park over my driveway because it’s easier than walking the extra 3 metres from the empty legal spot. Let’s get 'em! ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2012, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-a-police-officer-be-this-wrong/626759/65 "2012-07-03T01:42:01Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > He didn’t want his precious Benz scratched. Would be unfortunate a wheelchair wheel bumped against it… Or a key… I think it would be a fabulous thing if we could place a caltrop type device behind the tire of the car in question then when formentioned idjit comes out and moves his car (BOOOM!) darn, flat tire…such a bummer 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2012, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-a-police-officer-be-this-wrong/626759/66 "2012-07-03T02:17:20Z")
> [@drachillix](#): > > Would be unfortunate a wheelchair wheel bumped against it… > > Or a key… > > I think it would be a fabulous thing if we could place a caltrop type device behind the tire of the car in question then when formentioned idjit comes out and moves his car (BOOOM!) darn, flat tire…such a bummer 😃 Yeah such things are _tempting_ but I consider myself sort of “on thin ice” when it comes to gym memberships. 😃 I’m a rule abider now. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2012, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-a-police-officer-be-this-wrong/626759/67 "2012-07-03T04:07:31Z")
Seems to me that committing a crime in response to a parking offense is way overboard. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2012, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-a-police-officer-be-this-wrong/626759/68 "2012-07-03T04:24:49Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > The fucker parked illegally. End of story. If, on the small chance that he _is_ disabled and chooses to use an expired placard, _so what?_ Disabled people have just as much of a responsibility to use handicapped parking spaces in the proper, legal manner as do able-bodied people have the responsibility not to abuse those spots. I like this answer. Amb isn’t asking for or hoping for special treatment. Even disabled people need to keep their placards up to date, they aren’t exempt from the law (unless the government issues a placard for that too) ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2012, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-a-police-officer-be-this-wrong/626759/69 "2012-07-03T12:10:14Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Yes it is a minor violation. Just because its a bit more expensive than other violations does not make it a major offense. No points. No possible loss of license. \* Its just a parking ticket. Thats cheaper than the ticket around here for having a valid license but forgetting to have it on you. > \*(I reserve the right to be wrong in case there is a state out there with wacky laws I don’t know about) In terms of parking vs. moving vs. misdemeanor vs. felony, yes, it’s minor. But it’s a hefty fine, an easy $100+ into the police department’s coffers, especially considering an officer had actually came out to the site. As evidence of the fact that it is (or at least can be) taken seriously, I offer the fact that I received a ticket for the very same offense. ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2012, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-a-police-officer-be-this-wrong/626759/70 "2012-07-03T12:35:44Z")
I suppose it would be wrong for Jamie to park his vehicle behind the other vehicle, since it is in ‘his’ handicapped spot, and they aren’t handicapped. Seriously, how about paging the guy to the front desk and asking him to move the car. If I were asked to move my car from a handicapped spot by a guy in a wheelchair, I’d be mortified. Also, is there anyway to automatically subscribe to Ambivalid parking threads? I hate coming in late. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2012, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-a-police-officer-be-this-wrong/626759/71 "2012-07-03T12:52:26Z")
I’m waiting for the “it belongs to the owner of the gym” punchline, myself. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2012, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-a-police-officer-be-this-wrong/626759/72 "2012-07-03T15:33:52Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > In terms of parking vs. moving vs. misdemeanor vs. felony, yes, it’s minor. But it’s a hefty fine, an easy $100+ into the police department’s coffers, especially considering an officer had actually came out to the site. YMMV depending on your state but in mine nearly all ticket revenue goes directly to the state. The police department gets nothing and the town barely gets enough out of tickets to keep the court running. The police department has no financial reason to write tickets. Certainly the officer does not. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2012, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-a-police-officer-be-this-wrong/626759/73 "2012-07-03T15:41:53Z")
> [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](#): > > I suppose it would be wrong for Jamie to park his vehicle behind the other vehicle, since it is in ‘his’ handicapped spot, and they aren’t handicapped. Since I know no place where it is legal to make a citizen’s arrest for a parking violation and most if not all states have laws against criminal restraint, its probably a bad idea. You can not hold someone against their will without legal authority. Even if the car was unoccupied parking behind the vehicle would probably be a parking violation in itself since its stopped blocking other traffic. Committing another offense in order to highlight someone else’s offense is generally frowned upon. And so is committing a felony in response to a parking problem. In most jurisdictions (if not all) you can make a citzien’s complaint. Take down the plate, maybe take a picture for later proof. Go down to your local court and file a complaint. Could be a nice hobby. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2012, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-a-police-officer-be-this-wrong/626759/74 "2012-07-03T15:59:25Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Since I know no place where it is legal to make a citizen’s arrest for a parking violation and most if not all states have laws against criminal restraint, its probably a bad idea. You can not hold someone against their will without legal authority. And it can legally be treated as a way more serious offense than one would think off hand. If you get a letter of the law / hanging judge you might be in big trouble. Kinda like messing with US mailboxes. So don’t do it without a damn good reason (like maybe you are blocking in actual bankrobbers or sumptin). ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2012, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-a-police-officer-be-this-wrong/626759/75 "2012-07-03T18:30:58Z")
> [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](#): > > Seriously, how about paging the guy to the front desk and asking him to move the car. Already tried it; he didn’t respond to the page. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2012, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-a-police-officer-be-this-wrong/626759/76 "2012-07-03T22:24:22Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > I’m waiting for the “it belongs to the owner of the gym” punchline, myself. Nah. The owner can easily designate a parking space for themself. There probably is one, but in the back, real close to a back door near the owners office. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2012, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-a-police-officer-be-this-wrong/626759/77 "2012-07-04T01:40:15Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > blah blah blah I lost count, how many threads have you started on this subject? ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2012, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-a-police-officer-be-this-wrong/626759/78 "2012-07-04T05:40:25Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > I lost count, how many threads have you started on this subject? On what subject; the abuse of handicap parking? IDK, in the more than year that I’ve been here…three. Heaven forbid. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2012, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-a-police-officer-be-this-wrong/626759/79 "2012-07-04T14:18:59Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > On what subject; the abuse of handicap parking? IDK, in the more than year that I’ve been here…three. Heaven forbid. :rolleyes: I’m not telling you to stop calling when you see a violation. When I was on the road I was more than happy to write handicap parking tickets. I would suggest you avoid confrontation with the drivers. And you should realize that it won’t turn out as you plan each time. I’ll give you the exchange I heard my training officer tell someone. He borrowed it too. “Why did you pull me over and not all those other people? They were speeding too!” “You ever go fishing?” “Yes, I don’t know what that has to do…” “Ever catch all the fish?” Some fish get away. Let it go. If they keep using the spots illegally they will get caught. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2012, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-a-police-officer-be-this-wrong/626759/80 "2012-07-04T14:57:38Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > “Why did you pull me over and not all those other people? They were speeding too!” > “You ever go fishing?” > “Yes, I don’t know what that has to do…” > “Ever catch all the fish?” “When using sufficient dynamite? Yes, indeed!”😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-a-police-officer-be-this-wrong/626759.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-a-police-officer-be-this-wrong/626759.md?page=5)