Chesapeake City Council to Vote on New Rules for Accessible Parking

CHESAPEAKE, Va. — Council members in Chesapeake on Tuesday night will consider tougher penalties for people who park illegally in accessible parking spots.

These spaces are intended for disabled people and, currently, violators will receive a ticket, but this could result in their vehicle being towed.

Residents like Linda Glover rely on accessible parking spaces since they can no longer walk as well as they used to.

This poses a problem when someone takes up space that they need.

“It’s a job when you have to walk a certain distance,” Glover said.

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Glover said she doesn’t want to police people whose cars are parked in places that don’t have the required accessible parking placards.

“People get a little upset when you try to tell them something, so you try not to bother them. I think it’s really important that the disability section is a disability,” Glover said.

City Councilman Robert Ike Junior said he has heard these complaints from the people he represents.

His order will be considered at Tuesday night’s council meeting.

If approved, offenders could have their vehicles towed at the discretion of a police officer, an option that did not previously exist.

Glover says it’s a good incentive.

“It helps raise awareness about the importance of having a place where people with special needs can park,” Glover said.

If approved, it will go into effect thirty days after the vote. No action will be taken, other than updating municipal codes.

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