I got someone in trouble the other day.

[no1_vern]

I happen to think he deserved the "trouble" I caused him.

My wife and I went to our local Samsclub the other day, and when we tried to park in the handicapped parking spots(my wife is handicapped), we couldn't because some person had parked his big truck and trailer in two of the Handicapped spots. All of the other spots were taken with legitimately tagged Handicapped cars, but this truck(it was a big F150 where you almost have to knee yourself in the chest to get your foot into the cab) didn't have Handicapped tags nor a handicapped sign hanging from the mirror. We had to park further out, and I LOOKED for the sign/tags, and it didnt have any. When we went into the Samsclub, the employees claimed they couldn't do anything for me. I asked why they couldn't call the police and have him ticketed, and I was informed that wasn't the policy but if I wanted to, I could report him. Using one of the Samsclub phones, I called the police, and informed them there was a person who wasn't handicapped that was taking up two Handicapped parking spots. They said someone would be out shortly.

After doing our shopping, when we came back out, the truck and trailer was still there, with a young man loading groceries into the trailer! My wife tried to pull me away-telling me it would do NO good to talk to(argue with!) the man, I told her it ISNT right, and allowing healthy people to just TAKE the handicapped spots COULD NOT be tolerated. Just then, a police car showed up-I hadn't seen it. I had thought the person was going to get a way before they showed up.

With the police there, I allowed my wife to pull me away from a confrontation with the young man. As we were getting into the car, I heard the young man complaining that he "needed to use those spots for just a few minutes"(right, my wife and I, found a more distant parking spot, walked past his truck/trailer, lodged a complaint, called the police, did our shopping, and were walking to our car, in HIS "few minutes"). Because of this jerk, my wife had to suffer walking a much longer distance than necessary. For some reason, I had one of those "Smitty" daydreams of kneecapping the jerk(Yes, I know thats wrong, but . . .). THEN, he would have a reason for using the Handicapped spots.

My wife complained to me all the way home that I shouldnt do things like that. That all it did was get people upset. It does no good. I told myself, shes a woman, and she sees things differently from the way I see things.

I happen to think I did the right thing. He seemed to be healthy, AND taking up TWO handicapped slots - one for his truck, and one for the trailer. I admit, I AM biased - a couple of my family members are handicapped, and I will do my best to protect them and the meager rights offered to them by our society.

I've got to ask, WHAT would you have done?

[brandon184]

I don't think there's anything unreasonable about calling the police when you see a law being broken.

Run your key along the side of the vehicle the next time you see this injustice occur and then you might have a contentious debate!

[B71655]

Called 'em an (butt)hole as I rolled on by leaven' the lot. Got the plates' right? They see 'em when they look after you. Not worth your time. Sorry about your wife and the walk.

[Gomer]

I would simply drop my wife off at the door to commandeer one of those scooters for herself while I parked the car; leave a molehill a molehill; allow law enforcement to do their jobs; listen to my wife... and maybe be a little more generous with the waitstaff the next time I'm out to dinner so as to appease the karma police.

[Chuckiechan]

I would have stuffed a Sam's Club potato in his exhaust pipe.

When I was in Laguna some time ago, a Maserati was straddling two HC spaces, presumable to prevent door dings.

Bottom line is all you can do is call the police and forget about it. You could have run another errand and came back when there was a space available. You felt you had "to shop right here right now", and the scofflaw prevented you from doing so, causing you to get upset.

Keep it in proportion.

[Detritus]

I happen to think he deserved the "trouble" I caused him.

My wife and I went to our local Samsclub the other day, and when we tried to park in the handicapped parking spots(my wife is handicapped), we couldn't because some person had parked his big truck and trailer in two of the Handicapped spots. All of the other spots were taken with legitimately tagged Handicapped cars, but this truck(it was a big F150 where you almost have to knee yourself in the chest to get your foot into the cab) didn't have Handicapped tags nor a handicapped sign hanging from the mirror. We had to park further out, and I LOOKED for the sign/tags, and it didnt have any. When we went into the Samsclub, the employees claimed they couldn't do anything for me. I asked why they couldn't call the police and have him ticketed, and I was informed that wasn't the policy but if I wanted to, I could report him. Using one of the Samsclub phones, I called the police, and informed them there was a person who wasn't handicapped that was taking up two Handicapped parking spots. They said someone would be out shortly.

After doing our shopping, when we came back out, the truck and trailer was still there, with a young man loading groceries into the trailer! My wife tried to pull me away-telling me it would do NO good to talk to(argue with!) the man, I told her it ISNT right, and allowing healthy people to just TAKE the handicapped spots COULD NOT be tolerated. Just then, a police car showed up-I hadn't seen it. I had thought the person was going to get a way before they showed up.

With the police there, I allowed my wife to pull me away from a confrontation with the young man. As we were getting into the car, I heard the young man complaining that he "needed to use those spots for just a few minutes"(right, my wife and I, found a more distant parking spot, walked past his truck/trailer, lodged a complaint, called the police, did our shopping, and were walking to our car, in HIS "few minutes"). Because of this jerk, my wife had to suffer walking a much longer distance than necessary. For some reason, I had one of those "Smitty" daydreams of kneecapping the jerk(Yes, I know thats wrong, but . . .). THEN, he would have a reason for using the Handicapped spots.

My wife complained to me all the way home that I shouldnt do things like that. That all it did was get people upset. It does no good. I told myself, shes a woman, and she sees things differently from the way I see things.

I happen to think I did the right thing. He seemed to be healthy, AND taking up TWO handicapped slots - one for his truck, and one for the trailer. I admit, I AM biased - a couple of my family members are handicapped, and I will do my best to protect them and the meager rights offered to them by our society.

I've got to ask, WHAT would you have done?

My wife is disabled as well and I've done exactly the same thing. Good show Vern. My wife doesn't complain though...

[surreal]

I would simply drop my wife off at the door to commandeer one of those scooters for herself while I parked the car; leave a molehill a molehill; allow law enforcement to do their jobs; listen to my wife... and maybe be a little more generous with the waitstaff the next time I'm out to dinner so as to appease the karma police.

I disagree with leave a molehill a molehill, molehill for you I'm sure, but not others. I think that calling the police was the right thing to do, but thinking you're going to do anything to influence the guy in the parking lot is stupid. Your wife is right, and you probably ruined her outing with you to Sam's. (and if you work as much as you say you guys probably don't have many afternoons shopping together)

Gomer has a point about the Karma police...

[Gomer]

I disagree with leave a molehill a molehill, molehill for you I'm sure, but not others. I think that calling the police was the right thing to do, but thinking you're going to do anything to influence the guy in the parking lot is stupid. Your wife is right, and you probably ruined her outing with you to Sam's. (and if you work as much as you say you guys probably don't have many afternoons shopping together)

Gomer has a point about the Karma police...

"Allow law enforcement to do their jobs." IOW, call the police and you're done.

[no1_vern]

Actually, there is no "probably" about it, it is one of the things my wife complained about, that I ruined what was supposed to be a fun shopping trip. I contended that it was the LOUTS FAULT not mine, but she said I was the one who ruined it for us.

Your right, Last Thursday was the only day I had off, and after going to Sams, we didn't talk except in snippets until we went to bed that night. I STILL dont understand how it became my fault! It caused a lot of friction between us, and is the main reason I'm asking this question here - to find out IF I can at least sort of kinda claim someone else agrees with me(or agrees with her).

Maybe, my title should be, "I got myself into trouble the other day"??

[Creatures]

women... j/k

I think she's right, I mean she has the right to be pissed because it is basically affecting her, not you. If she says "it's ok" and "leave it alone" you should follow her advice. Always listen to your better half because that other guy will be forgotten in a few days but a bad day with your wife will be remembered and can be bothering for both of you.

Creatures

[surreal]

"Allow law enforcement to do their jobs." IOW, call the police and you're done.

Ah yes!

[surreal]

Actually, there is no "probably" about it, it is one of the things my wife complained about, that I ruined what was supposed to be a fun shopping trip. I contended that it was the LOUTS FAULT not mine, but she said I was the one who ruined it for us.

Your right, Last Thursday was the only day I had off, and after going to Sams, we didn't talk except in snippets until we went to bed that night. I STILL dont understand how it became my fault! It caused a lot of friction between us, and is the main reason I'm asking this question here - to find out IF I can at least sort of kinda claim someone else agrees with me(or agrees with her).

Maybe, my title should be, "I got myself into trouble the other day"??

You were the one to try and make trouble with the guy. But my guess is you were crabbing about that guy and just wouldn't quit. Your actions made her unhappy, that's why it is your fault. Not the guy that hogged the spots, it was your reaction to him. I'd also bet some of your frustrations caused by other things going on in your life were also channeled into your irritation with him.

The day was not calm and fun, but I also think that your wife should have let it go after the incident. Not speaking except for a grunt or two the rest of the day was ridiculous and meant to punish and manipulate you.

It's why I'm single!

[tony_j15]

I would have dropped her off at the door and phoned the police on the way in with my cell. What the guy did (assuming he wasn't handicapped) was unjustifiable, and he deserves a ticket. Those spaces are legally reserved for handicapped people. But I wouldn't have mentioned it to her. There's a difference between being a white knight and having a parade proceed you. Seems like you went for the "parade" option.

[brandon184]

But I wouldn't have mentioned it to her. There's a difference between being a white knight and having a parade proceed you. Seems like you went for the "parade" option.

Tony, are you implying that one of Vern's motivations in this situation was to make himself feel like he had delivered justice, and to end up looking like a hero to his wife?

[sharder8]

Meanwhile, someone that was actually commiting a violent crime got away scot free.

I never call the cops unless there is property theft, violence, or like, some actual harm being done.

Being inconvenienced because someone parked in a handicap parking space does not count.

One more thing, a majority of the people who park in handicapped spaces can walk just fine. They have a permit for a disabled relative and use it.

I know, because I have one for my mother.

I only use it in special cases (usually when I'm going back and forth to my car several times loading or unloading it, once im done I get out of the parking spot).

Doesn't make it right, but hey I have a permit.

Wait till you need that permit for yourself and see if you have the same attitude . . .

I didn't get my permit until 6 months before my surgery. It actually expired 5 days before surgery and then Doc made me get another 3 month permit after surgery. I rarely use it now, as the walking is good for me and I don't have any pain. I will use the permit if I have to carry something more than 15 lbs. for any distance, but I do push my limits from the Doc if I'm feeling good. (I just need time to fully heal and the bone to grow into the new hip.) BTW, I'll give up a handicap parking spot if I see someone else that needs it.)

Having said that, I have and I will call and report handicap violations, every time I see them. If it's a person like you abusing the privilege, you can get more than a ticket. There is a reason that law is on the books, the same as a robbery, shooting, rape, etc. Some stores enforce the law more than others . . . Costco here will call the police if any violators are reported and the cart retrievers will also report it if they see it. East side Safeway on the other hand, doesn't seem to give a crap and only has 6 handicapped slots in their entire lot. (They are the busiest store in the PNW and I usually can only find a spot half or more the way across the lot. Needless to say, they've lost many of their handicapped cusotmers.) Bend Police will sometimes go through the Costco lot and then continue in to check the Safeway lot.

Long and short of it Vern . . . ya' did right about calling it in! Ya' just took it too far with trying to make a scene about it.


Harder

[sharder8]

So far, it looks like I'm the only one that's posted, that has and has used a handicapped permit . . . everyone else has one for a spouse or relative.

I can tell you that needing the permit and no spots open has meant no milk for the baby until someone else makes a special trip to get some. It has added an additional burden on to the wife or daughter to get something I should have and would have been able to get if I had an available handicapped parking spot. It has meant lost time from work and family waiting for a spot to open or driving around to some other place to get what I needed to pick up. It has meant the family had to wait for supper, because I was suppose to pick it up on the way home. And the list goes on.

The last couple months before surgery, if I parked in a handicap spot at Costco, I could barely make it in the door to an electric cart. When draboo and rubyred were visiting, I sat in the wrong chair and couldn't get out of it on my own. Gomer and voogru seem to think it's not a big deal . . . but it is, when it's you that has the permit and someone abuses their permit or parks there illegally.


Harder

[brandon184]

Have you ever thought maybe to ask for help?

Maybe he doesn't want to ask for help. Maybe he's an adult, he's a man, and he wants to be independent despite his disability. He wants to be able to go to the freaking store and buy a freaking gallon of milk without worrying about his hip or asking anyone for assistance when a perfectly suitable system exists that would allow him to park near the door if other, law-breaking idiots didn't take up the spots.

[The Real Bingo]

I might be inclined to deliver some saliva to his paint, but other than that, I wouldn't do anything. I'm not handicapped and if I had a handicapped person with me, I'd park as far away as possible and insist they walk for their health (I keed, I keed).

[tony_j15]

Shame on you, voogru. That's not even remotely funnny. Apologies are in order.

[sharder8]

I guess it's no different than a guy who is lost refusing to ask for directions.

Let me guess . . . it's like your not knowing how to find the answer and too egotistical to ask someone, so you stay ignorant.


Harder