PPA cracking down on illegal parking to help those with disabilities

Jeff Cole
·2 min read
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PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Parking Authority is trying to curb illegal parking to help those with disabilities.

Starting Monday, the parking authority has begun to issue tickets to drivers for numerous violations, such as parking on crosswalks and sidewalks.

The violations will cost drivers $76 in Center City, and $51 in other parts of the city.

Thomas Devlin lost both his legs to diabetes.

FOX 29’s Jeff Cole asked him, "What do you think of a $76.00 ticket?"

Devlin replied, "I think it should be a $176.00 ticket because you take away my privilege of getting on the sidewalk. I only have one way of getting up on the sidewalk."

The parking authority spent the last two weeks handing out warnings to give drivers forewarning about the new fines.

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Any driver parked in a spot that blocks an ADA Ramp will face a $76 fine across the city, and those who use a handicapped space can expect a $301 fine.

Rich Lazer, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Parking Authority, said the department has hired 30 officers solely to enforce safety issues.

After writing the warnings for parking on sidewalks and ramps, Cole asked Lazer, "Expecting a pretty good pushback when you pop a $76.00 ticket on someone’s car?"

Lazer answered, "I think some people will see as not a great thing but, again, you can ruin somebody’s day."

"This is something that is very frustrating to me, personally, and to so many others ," said former Philadelphia City Commissioner Sheila Hess who was born with spina bifida.

"Not just those folks who do have mobility issues, but folks who are just pushing a stroller or a shopping cart, whatever. They need access. The city invested in all these new curb cut-outs and when they are blocked, it's a huge disadvantage. I think, once it gets enforced, I think people will hopefully be more considerate and take the time to realize there’s a person behind this."

On North 6th and Turner, there are vehicles fully on sidewalks. Block Captain Gregory Head says his vehicles have been struck seven times since 1996, including last October. He pulls onto the sidewalk to avoid yet another crash. "I just think it’s another way for the city to bleed the taxpayer, to be honest. It’s a necessity. North Philly has very small streets. South Philly also."