1996-09-23BCOD Memorandum
To{ Elise R. Bemstein, Arthur M. Daignault, Kevin M. Gallant, Norman E. Ganley, Patdcia M.
Hoy, Timothy M. Hoy and Robed G. Nelson
RE: Revised BCOD HPP Training Outline, Violation Log and Affidavits
Please review the attached, revised HPP Training Outline for changes made based upon our
convemations at and since our first training session with the Police Traffic Department Personnel on
Saturday, September 21, 1996. You are responsible for knowing and following this information.
Pdrsary notable added/changed/re-iterated important areas are:
· DO NOT take a picture of a vehicle with someone visibly inside of it. JUST LEAVE and
fill out an affidavit away from the scene and submit to the Police.
· DO NOT complete your aff,:lavit in the nearby vicinity of the violation. GET AS FAR
AWAY AS POSSIBLE.
· A Xerox copy of a Placard without the presence of a standard, laminated, blue & white
placard issued by the registry, is NOT a valid HP vehicle ID. It is a violation.
· Use the new log sheet, as it has a space foe license plate information such as "RW~ for
'Right Whale" or"green" for green lettering and numbers; or, "red" forthe same thing, etc.
Use the new Affidavit which does not include your home address or requires a
witness/notary. You can go to City Hall, ID yourself at the City Clerk's office windew and
make copies of the new log and your pomonalized aff,:lavit without charge.
Also attached for your information, is a copy of my letter to the City Council about raising the HP
violation fine from $25 to $100, a letter to Tina Cassidy about HP signage on Rantoul Street. Pleaso
call me with your recommendations for additionally needed locations for HP spaces/signage along
City streets, and a revised draft letter for the City Clerk to send to HP violators with their ticket. We've
talked about in front of Bell's and the Wild Horse Cafe on Cabot Street. Where else??
FYI, I'll have more Polaroid film delivered to my house on Wednesday, if you're low or out!
cc: Sgt. Dennis Tarsook, Officers David LeBlanc and Emest Jalbort
09/23/96 1
City of Beverly
Beverly City Hall
191 Cabot Street
Beverly, MA 01915
(508) 921-6000
AFFIDAVIT
I, , of the Commission on Disabilities,
(Print Full Name)
Beverly, Massachusetts, make the following statement to the Traffic Department of
the City of Beverly Police Department.
On , at approximately ( )a.m. ( ) p.m.,
(Date) (Time)
I observed a vehicle illegally parked in a parking space legally reserved for the use of
the handicapped at
in the City of Beverly.
(Location)
This vehicle, / / / /
(Registration # / State / Make / Model / Color)
with (special license plate information),
did not display a State-issued HP placard on the dashboard/sun visor, or a
handicapped registration (license) plate.
( ) At the time, I took an instant photograph of this vehicle in the exact
position I observed it.
( ) I was only able to record the violating vehicle's information as noted
above.
( ) Special Comments, if appropriate:
I am presenting this affidavit and, if applicable, an instant photograph to the CITY
OF BEVERLY POLICE DEPARTMENT Traffic Department for
enforcement action.
Signed:
(Signature of Volunteer)
BCOD HPP Violation Log
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Day/Date Time
eg: Sat./9-21-96 Llsta.m.lp.m.
LocaUon/Address
Uc Plate #
eg: YKG 146
State & Violatin
Lic Plate Info Make
eg: MA-"RVV" eg: "Fo
Itin Vehicle InformaUon
Model Color
d" eg: "Taurus" eg: "Lt Blue"
9-23-96
City of Beverly
Beverly City Hall
191 Cabot Street
Beverly, MA 01915
(508) 921-6000
AFFIDAVIT
I, Kevin M. Gallant, of the Commission on Disabilities, Beverly, Massachusetts,
make the following statement to the City of Beverly Police - Traffic Department.
On , at approximately ( )a.m. ( ) p.m.,
(Date) (Time)
observed a vehicle illegally parked in a parking space legally reserved for the use of
the handicapped at
in the City of Beverly.
(Location)
This vehicle, / / / /
(Registration # / State / Make / Model / Color)
with (special license plate information),
did not display a State-issued HP placard on the dashboard/sun visor, or a
handicapped registration (license) plate.
( ) At the time, I took an instant photograph of this vehicle in the exact
position I observed it.
( ) I was only able to record the violating vehicle's information as noted
above.
( ) Special Comments, if appropriate:
I am presenting this affidavit and, if applicable, an instant photograph to the CITY
OF BEVERLY POLICE DEPARTMENT ~ Traffic Department for
enforcement action.
Signed:
(Signature of Volunteer)
City of Beverly
Beverly City Hall
191 Cabot Street
Beverly, MA 01915
(508) 921-6000
Office of the Parking Clerk
Date
Vehicle Registration #
Dear Sir/Madam:
Enclosed you will find a City of Beverly Parking Ticket issued to your vehicle as a
result of a violation of handicapped parking regulations.
While your vehicle was parked in violation, information about the violation was
recorded by a person authorized to participate in the Ci~ of Beverly Folunteer
Handicapped Parking Enforcement Progrant If an instant photograph was taken as
part of the violation documentation process, a copy of the original photograph is
enclosed with this letter.
If you wish to contest this violation notice, you may request an appeal either in
person or by mail as provided on the violation notice. Please note that any such
request must reach this office within twenty-one calendar days.
Very truly yours,
Constance Linscott
Parking Clerk
City of Beverly
enclosures
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Day/Data Time
eg: Sat./9-21-96 Llsta.m. lp.m.
BCOD
HPP Violation Log
LocaUon/Address Lic Plata #
eg: YKG 146
Sttata & Violafin
LIc Plata Info Make
eg: MA-"RVV" eg: "Ford"
atin Vehicle Information
,* Model Color
rd" eg: "Taurus" eg: "Lt Blue"
9-23-96
BEVERLY COMMISSION ON DISABILIT!~S
191 Cabot Street
Beverly, MA 01915
(508) 921-6000
Co~hairpersons
Elite R. I~nuteM
Stephen C. Re~a~olds
Members
Arthur IMlgnault
KeyIn Callant
NormanE~Ganley
~acant
Vacant
September 23, 1996
Ms. Tina Cassidy
Planning Department
Beverly City Hall
191 Cabot Street
Beverly, MA 01915
RE: Handicapped Parking (HP) Signage
Dear Tina:
Per your request today of Elise Bernstein, please be advised that The Beverly Conumssion on Disabilities would
like to see a HP space added in front of the Main Post Office on Rantout Street, since the construction project for
which is appamnfiy due to begin soon. While this Post Office is not yet handicapped accessible to those in
wheelchairs, there are many more people with disabilities who can get into the building but cannot park at either
of the two somewhat nearby lIP spaces at Borah's and Casa de Luea. Parking in either of these two spaces reqaires
crossing the street which can be difficult from a distance standpoint as well as potentially dangerous.
We are informing you of this priority location because of the pending start of the Rantoul Street project. We will
advise you of other spaces along City Streets in the near future.
Thank you for your attention to his matter. ff you have any questions please call me' at 922-3 126.
Very truly yours,
Stephen C. Reynolds
cc: Peter Seamarts - ADA Coordinator, Sgt. Denms Tarsook, BCOD Members
BEVERLY COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES
191 Cabot Street
Beverly, MA 01915
(508) 921-6000
HP (HANDICAPPED PARKING) TRAINING PROGRAM
(In conjunction with the Beverly Police Traffic Departmen0
L Distribution of Beverly's HP Program Materials ond Overview conducted by Co-Chair, Steve Reynolds
(Distribute copies of materials from MOD Training held in Natick, as weld
IL Review of lip violations by Beverly police TrafFic Officers
A. Proper HP space Requirements
1. HP sign at 5 to 8 feet off the ground on a pole, or on a wall, in front of the HP space
B. What Types of Proper HP Vehicle Identification to Look for: 1. ITP License Plate
2. HP Placard on Dashboard, or windshield, or affixed to the driver's side visor and in a
"down~' and visible Oosition. XEROX COPIES OF PLACARDS ALONE, ARENOT
VALID.
3. Disabled Vcteran's License Plate
4. Watch for ont-of-state "placards" that might hang from the inside rear-view mirror
5. Just displaying a universal handicap sticker or emblem is NOT VALID.
IlL Discuss steps for documenting information on the potential violation:
1. Make sure that the sospocted violation is in a legitimate !tP space (see IA above)
2. Try to determine whether there is Proper HP Vehicle Identification, as outlined in IB above,
before getting out of your car, ff pessible~
3. Before getting out of yonr car to take pictures, try to write down the following in a logbook (see
logbook prepared and distributed to members expressly for this purpose):
a) License Plate # ~ Note color of writing on plate and/or special type of plate, e.g. "RW",
or "Right Whale", etc.
b) Make/Model/Color of Vehicle
c) Specific Location of HP Space in Violation (street name/#, Sture/parking lot and
location within lot, ff there are more than one area with HP spaces)
d) Date and time of day
4. Park legally before getting out of your car, then ensure whether there is Proper HP Vehicle
Identification, as antlined in IB above, before taking picture(s) of the vehicle in violation. If
someone is in the vehicle~ lust record the information. DO NOT TAKE A PICTURE.
5. Review Procedures for Taking Polaroid Picture(s) and Operating the Camera
a) Review camera operation basics such as film loading, controls, and adjustments, etc.
(Camera is property of the City of Beverly/BCOD and is not for personal use unless
you but your own film.)
b) If possible, try to take one picture which shows the rear license plate, the HP sign in
front of the car, the dashboard where a placard should be if there was one in use.
c) If one picture cannot be taken to get everything in, take two (one from the rear with the
license plate and HP sign; and one with the placard missing from the dashboard.)
Ill. Discuss how to interact with violators, IF there is any contact which cannot be otherwise avoided. A. Volunteers must not participate in these activities if under the infiuence of intoxicants.
B. The goal is for there to be no confrontations or arguments. Just leave, even without taking the
picture, if necessary. lmmediatcly report any problems to the Police, speaking with Sgt. Dennis
Tarsook or Officer David LeBlanc, if possible. Remember, a ticket can usually be issued by the
Police with the affidavit information alone.
C. Show BCOD business card as an ID to violator, if necessary.
D. Role-play the handling of verbal responses to anticipated questions/comments from violator's. A
preferred reolv to a violator mil~ht be, "I'm lust doinl~ my volunteer duty, deeumentin~, what I '
see. l'm not writinl~ a ticket. It's uP to the Police to decide whether a ticket is auoropriate.'
E. If a BCOD member becomes known to have been involved in a confrontation, it will be
investigated by the BCOD Co-Chair(s) and the Police Traffic Department personnel, if
necessary. During the investigation, the BCOD member's right to participate in the program
may be temporarily suspended. Depending upon the outcome of the investigation, such BCOD
members could possibly lose their ability to continue participating in this program and have
their cameras, etc., taken away.
IV. Affidavit
A. The affidavit has been revised to exclude your address and the need for the signature of a
witness. Further, if you are unable to take a photo, a ticket can be issued with the affidavit
information alone.
B. Complete afterwards and AWAY FROM THE VIOLATION SCENE, if possible, using the
logbook information.
C. Initial and date the back of the photo and attach them with a paper clip (don't use staples) to
the affidavit or put both in an envelope.
D. ASAP, submit to the Police Officer on duty at the Police Department [use front (Cabot Street)
entrance next to City Hall[. If unable to access the Police Station, call the police and ask for
Sgt. Tarsook or Officer David LeBlanc or Ernest Jalbert, who will arrange to pick them up.
E. Bring logbook to monthly BCOD Meetings. Steve Reynolds will maintain a master log for the
BCOD.
Revised 9-23-96, based upon discussions at and following initial training on9/21/96.
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# Day/Date TIme
eg: SAL/9-21-96 Llsta.m.lp, m.
BCOD
HPP Violation Log
Location/Address Mc Plate #
eg: YKG 146
State & VlolaU~
LIc Plate Info Make
eg: MA -"RVV" eg: "Ford"
IU~ ~1 Vehicle Information
Model Color
d" eg: "Taurus" eg: "Lt Blue"
9-23-96
BEVERLY COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES
191 Cabot Street
Beverly, MA 01915
(508) 921-6000
C~-Chairpersons
Stephen ('. Re.v~4dds
Members
Scpicmbcr 23. 1996
Ms. Tina Cassi~
Planning Deparlmcn!
Bcvcrly City Hall
191 Cabot Sireel
Bc'vcrl}. MA 01915
RE: Handicapped Parking (HP) SiRnalle
Dear Tina
Per )our rcxlucsl Ioda) of Elisc Bernstein. please be advised that Thc [leverlx Comudssioa oil Disabilities v,'ould
like to see a HP space added in from oflbe Main Post Office on Ranloul SIr'eel. si.ce the construction pfojecl for
~dlich is appatemly duc Io bogin soon. While Ihis Po$1 Office is not yet bandicaplxxl accessible to [bose in
wheelchairs_ there are many more people with disabililics who can gel inlo the building but cannol park al elibet
of Ibc I,.~o somc',vhal Imarb.V HP spaces al Borah's and Casa de Luca. Pnrking in cilber of tbcse Iwo spaces requires
crossing the slreel tvhich can be difficull from a distance slandpaim as well as potentially dangerous.
We are reforming )ou of lilts priori y location because of the pending slarl of the Ranloul Sireel proloci. We tvill
advise .','oil of other spaces along Ci.ty Streets in the near futurc.
Thank you [or your nittattoo to his mailer If yo. have any qncs|ioa$ please ca ipc at 9228126.
Vca. Irul.,, }ours.
Slcphcn C Re.,, .olds
cc: Pctcr S~msans - ADA Coordinalor. Sgl. Dennis Tarsook. BCOD Members
BEVERLY COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES
191 Cabot Street
Beverly, MA 01915
(508) 921-6000
Co-Chairpersons
Members
Arthur I)aipault
Kevln Gallant
Norman E. Ganley
Vacant
Vacant
September 23, 1996
City Councilors
Beverly City Hall
191 Cabot Street
Beverly. MA 01915
RE: Fine for Handicapped Parking (HI') Violations
Dear Honorable City Councilors:
As you may know, The Beverly Commission on Disabilities officially starled its ~'olunteer HP Enforcement
Program, in conjunclion with the Parking Clerk's and Police Traffic Departments. It was "kicked otf' following a
training session of BCOD members on Saturday, September 21 't at Sgt. Dennis Tarsook's offices. This program
couldn't have started without the wonderful support that we've received from each of you, the Mayor's office, the
Police department, Parking Clerk's office, the City Solicitor and probably morn. We truly appreciate the
outpouring of support in favor of this important and much-needed initiative. On behalf of our Commission and
Beverly's disabled community, thank you all!
At an earlier planning session for this program, we talked about the need to raise the current, inadequate $25 fine
for HP violations to $100. Chief John Finnegan was prosent and fully supported raising the fine for this particular
violation to $100. The fine for this violation is $100 in a number of other communities where movement on
disability issues has, perhaps, been more progressive than Beverly has been to date. 'The idea behind raising this
fine is not to "line the City's coffers", but to raise awareness and enhance deterfence of the problem of people
parking in HP spaces by adding more "bite" to conumttmg this deplorable offense. With more a~vareness of the
potential of getting caught because of our new program and the possibility of receiving a hertier, $100 fine, we
shotrid be able to substantially mitigate this long-standing problem which is largely as the result of ignorance and
apathy.
We understand that a movement is underway to review and update obsolete City Ordinances and that Parking
Ticket Books will need to be reprinted before or by year-end. By copy of this letter, we respectfully request that all
involved t~lnics ~ork Iowards alerating Ihe fine for HP violalions in Beverly Io Ihc $100 level. We x~ould ~
hazy 1o ~ici~l c in any h~mng o I s hailer which mighl ~ d~m~ ncce~
Vc~ tml) ~on~.
Stephen C. Reynolds
Tina Cassid)
Chief John Finncgan
Marshall Handly
Connie Linscolt
Peler Searoans - ADA Coordinator
Sgl. Dennis Tarsook
BCOD Members