I feel like such a douche!

[plumsugar]

So I never take a lunch break. Never! I usually bring a few different snacks with me just in case I get a growl, but that’s about it. After getting back from my DW and with all the food I was shoveling down my throat everyday, today my belly decides "hey, we need a lunch break!"

 

Well I had no idea where to get lunch! For 4 years at my company, I never really went anywhere to eat outside of the office. I finally remember there is a Subway close by and that damn "5 Dollar Footlong" jingle pops in my head.

 

I drive up, park, get a sandwich, go outside, and guess what! I parked in a handicap spot! What appears to be a recently off duty officer asks if that’s my car and I said yes. He informs me of my idiotic parking and I totally freak! Apparently he takes notice of my total accident reaction and tells me “yeah I have to call it in and it’s a BIG fine, but don’t feel so bad. Many people have complained about how badly marked this spot isâ€. THANKS A LOT! If so many people have complained then why hasn’t the city done anything about it, especially for the disabled!?!

 

He calls an on-duty officer to give me a summons and now it’s a fine plus a mandatory court appearance. Again to soft things over, the off-duty guy tells me “you should definitely take some pictures so you can contest itâ€. Thanks again! To leave me feeling extra crappy, he’s like “Hey I used to live in your apartment complex…actually, in the apartment upstairs from you!†UGHHHH.

 

Not only did I feel like a total a-hole for parking in a handicap spot, but everyone in the parking lot was giving me the evil eye! Since I have to show up in court anyway, I took pictures of the spot. It’s located in a tiny strip mall, has no blue lines, a completely faded handicap picture on the pavement, and a small sign that’s inset on the wall itself! Not even on a pole right in front of the spot! It blends in with regular store signs/posters and that’s pretty much why I didn’t even notice it….

 

Here are my pictures which will probably equal to crap in court. To a judge, the fact will probably remain that I parked in the spot.

 

So much for my lunch break!

[stacey]

your not a douche, hes a total douche. Not only is he off duty, and calls in to someone, but then it sounded like he was almost hitting on you when he said he used to live above you.

[lucy106]

I cant see your pictures but I know in Illinois it is required that the fine amount is posted too, does yours say the fine amount? Maybe look up your states vehicle code. That off duty guy is an a-hole ( I can say that since I am a police officer). I have no idea why he "had" to call someone to give you a ticket. Sorry this happend! But... did you get enjoy your sandwhich?

[jajajaja]

Ok that is POORLY marked. I can see the sign on the wall, but really, the spot should be CLEARLY marked. Not just to prevent people from getting tickets, but also to make sure people don't park there on mistake and make a disabled person walk further.

 

I hope you can contest this. I would even note that the cop thought it was ridiculous to issue a ticket. geesh.

[ErinB]

What a jerk! He totally could have just given you a warning, especially after your reaction!

 

I'm not saying people should park in handicapped spots, but honestly it was Subway! It's not like you were going to be in there for 12 hours!

[plumsugar]

The picture seems to make the sign nice and clear, but when you're pulling up to the spot you really don't see it! It's about three feet in from the mall sidewalk and under a rooftop protecting customers from rain/snow. The faded sign on the pavement and white lines didnt help me either. Maybe I need a better picture of the sign placement for court Blah!

 

At the end of the day I made the mistake, but for the officer to even say people have complained + that I should take pictures to contest the ticket just sucks!

 

I didn’t even get to eat my sammy!! And that has put me from sad/stressed to simply pissed off! The officer making light of us being "neighbors" just made me uncomfortable in an already what a bitch situation lol. Nice first time taking lunch experience!

[DanielleNDerek]

that cop is a real too. He's off duty and he has to call it in, even though he knows it's poorly marked. your not a douche, you made an honest mistake. he's an a-hole. goodluck in court. And i guess you won't be going to lunch for the next 4 yrs, huh?

[nikkianddean]

You should totally contest this! Godd luck!!!

[Maura]

that spot is very poorly marked, there is supposed to be yellow lines and a clear sign stating the fine, i dont see any of that. if i were you i would contest it.

[chibi411]

that cop is a douche!! call it in, what an a-hole