THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, October 23, 1996 TAG: 9610220090
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 05 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL REED, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 66 lines
PESTs are on the prowl in Bayside Borough.
Their targets are traffic scofflaws, particularly those who park illegally in handicapped spaces, whether on public or private property.
That means reserved curbside spaces on city streets or marked slots in local shopping or office centers will be under scrutiny by the force of seven eagle-eyed volunteer officers who work out of the 3rd Police Precinct.
Armed with ticket books and two-way radios, the uniformed officers - members of the city's Parking Enforcement Specialist Team - will be citing as many violators as they can find.
Among the team members will be Elizabeth and Lloyd Bryant, a retired Bayside Borough couple, who recently completed a one-week PEST training course in parking enforcement and traffic laws.
PESTs are ordinary citizens like the Bryants who are willing to commit 20 hours a month to enforcing handicapped parking restrictions. Volunteers must be adults and pass a criminal history and background investigation. Right now there are 18 PEST officers working out of four city precincts.
The Bryants actually started their first day on patrol on Tuesday, but Elizabeth Bryant said she has already witnessed a number handicapped parking violations and is itching to write citations.
``I see people breaking the law right now and it's too bad I don't have my ticket book with me,'' she said.
Handicapped parking violations come at great cost to those who are caught in the act, said Police Lt. Gary Van Auken, supervisor of the 3rd Precinct PEST contingent.
``The fine for illegally parking in handicapped spaces is $100 and that doubles after 14 days,'' he said. ``And the state legislature this year pushed the maximum up to $250.''
The city's PEST officers were responsible for writing enough tickets to raise $180,000 in fines for the city last year.
Some of that money was collected from motorists with legitimate walking handicaps, Van Auken lamented - mainly because the violators forgot to display legitimate handicapped permits or displayed expired permits.
``We're out here to help the handicapped,'' Van Auken said. ``So always display your permit and don't let it expire. If you get it renewed promptly, we'll void the ticket so you won't have to go to court.''
Here's how you get handicapped license plates, decals or permits:
If you have a physical handicap that limits your ability to move about, go to any of the city police precincts or Division of Motor Vehicles offices to pick up an application form.
Applications must be verified and signed by a physician.
The application then must be taken to the DMV, along with a vehicle registration form; plates, decals or permits will be issued - free.
If the applicant is temporarily disabled with a broken limb or bad sprain, for instance, a temporary disabled parking permit will be issued with an expiration date printed on the document. MEMO: For further information about securing handicapped parking
permits, call the DMV at 367-0538. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by D. KEVIN ELLIOTT
Lloyd and Elizabeth Bryant are members of the Virginia Beach
Parking Enforcement Specialist Team (PEST). The retired Bayside
Borough couple will spend 20 hours a month enforcing handicapped
parking restrictions. Volunteers must be adults and pass a criminal
history and background investigation. by CNB